Project Co-Coordinator for Farmer Training Program
Employer: UConn Extension
Work Location: Tolland County Extension Center
Term of Employment: 400 hours over 6 months (avg. 15 hours/week) beginning January 2024 - June 2024, with the possibility of renewal
Compensation Range: $26.25/hour
Duties / Responsibilities
UConn Extension at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is seeking a Project Coordinator to assist with its training program and activities for beginning farmers through its Solid Ground Farmer Training Program.
Since 2012, UConn Extension has offered training and learning opportunities targeted for new and beginning farmers in Connecticut. The Solid Ground Program implements a constantly evolving calendar of events. The 2023-2024 winter program will include online courses in soil health and farm business, farm financial workshops, in-person agriculture mechanic training, in-person climate smart field days, and small cohort training in production skills (e.g. tractor maintenance). Additional events are coordinated by our program partners: New CT Farmer Alliance, CT Farmland Trust, and CT NOFA.
As a team project, the right candidate will be able to support existing staff in implementing an aggressive schedule of events. After shadowing our existing staff, the Coordinator will be able to serve as the UConn Extension staff member on-site for select training. The Coordinator will often serve as project representative at public events (farmer conferences, webinars, state agency meetings). Responsibilities will also include working closely with some of our program partners to successfully craft and co-host learning opportunities. Although this is a 6 month position, we are looking for someone with the potential to work steadily year round — including summer months — at 15 hours/week.
The position would report to Jiff Martin who directs several public outreach and education programs in the field of sustainable food systems. Other team members include Robert Chang (Co-Director), Becca Toms (Communications Coordinator), Brittany Hall (Co-Coordinator), Saquana Seltzer (Co-Coordinator), and Nancy Barrett (Co-Coordinator).
Compensation is $26.25/hour. Timesheets are submitted every two weeks. This is a temporary, project-based position without benefits. Renewal of position is based on need and performance. Funding is currently in place for 3 project years. This position is funded by a grant from USDA.
Desired Applicant Experience
Required Qualifications:
- Past work demonstrates high degree of reliability and excellent organization skills
- Past work demonstrates ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Experience organizing events – including scheduling speakers/trainers, arranging for refreshments, managing attendee list, conducting post-evaluation, and follow up
- Experience in public speaking, presenting, speaking in front of diverse audiences
- Experience in small scale farming (this can be demonstrated by past apprenticeships or farm jobs, as well as growing up on a farm or coming from a farm family)
- Demonstrates commitment to racial equity through continuous development and modeling inclusive behaviors and proactively managing one’s bias
- Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, empathize, and collaborate in teams and work toward shared goals
- Comfortable and proficient with digital platforms (Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Drive)
- Comfortable taking photography and video for communication needs
- Familiarity with function and role of agriculture service providers, including CT Department of Agriculture, USDA Natural Resource and Conservation Services, USDA Farm Service Agency, New CT Farmer Alliance, CT Northeast Organic Farming Association, and CT Farmland Trust
- Willing and able to commute to UConn Extension office in Vernon or across state for training events as needed
Preferred:
- Bilingual Spanish a plus
- Competency with Canva, Adobe Illustrator and/or Qualtrics
- Strong photography skills
- Experience with basic film editing, comfortable producing short video content
- Familiar with various farm business models and enterprises
- Demonstrates awareness of the history of racial discrimination in agriculture
- Demonstrates understanding of the urgency of conservation of natural resources, including maintaining soil health and responding to climate impacts on farm operation.
- Demonstrates understanding of different dimensions of farming in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
How to Apply / Notes / Other Information
Send a resume and cover letter to jiff.martin@uconn.edu by December 4th at 5:00 pm. In the subject line of your email, please use: APPLICANT FOR SOLID GROUND PROJECT CO-COORDINATOR
Our work is more innovative and responsive when our team represents a diversity of perspectives and life experiences. People of color, people with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply. UConn provides reasonable accommodations to employees as required by law. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process. UConn Extension is an equal opportunity employer.