Local Foods Coordinator

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:

ResearchersNo

Job Type:

RegularNo

Institution Name:

Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus, with faculty based on University campuses, at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and is home to more than 1400 employees.  The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture.  The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration.  As an employer, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. 

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.  To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process and require reasonable accommodations, please contact the Division's Office of Program & Employment Compliance at compliance@uada.edu.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 501-671-2219 or 479-502-9820.

Department:

Horticulture * Associate Professorwww.uada.edu/
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/local-foods/default.aspx
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/horticulture/arkansas-produce-safety/

Summary of Job Duties:

The RFSI program administered in Arkansas by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, supports the "middle" of the food supply chain—processing, aggregation, storage, and distribution. The initiative helps small and mid-sized producers, processors, nonprofits, and local governments expand operations, adopt resilient practices, and create value-added products.

Our Local, Regional, and Safe Foods team partners with state and federal agencies to coordinate technical assistance and help recipients—farmers, processors, and distributors—effectively use grant funds. The three (3) key areas of focus are as follows:
• Outreach & Stakeholder Coordination: Connect eligible stakeholders to RFSI opportunities, guide them through the application process, and link producers, processors, and buyers within the supply chain.
• Project Planning Support - Assist applicants in refining proposals, aligning with USDA terms, and ensuring compliance while fostering collaboration among supply chain actors.
• Technical Assistance and Training - Offer education, workshops, and onsite support to improve food safety and operational efficiency.

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture (UADA) Cooperative Extension Service’s (CES's) Department of Horticulture is partnering with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to support the USDA's RFSI program. This program provides technical assistance in food safety, food systems, infrastructure development and management, and supply chain coordination for farm and food business entities, including those awarded RFSI equipment and infrastructure grants.

The Program Technician – RFSI and Supply Chain Coordination will support the Program Director and Manager in assisting farm and food business entities to develop a local food supply chain network of retailers and suppliers. They will also support grant awardees as they utilize funds to install equipment, secure
transportation, or construct farm facilities. This position is based in the Department of Horticulture and works with the Local, Regional, and Safe Foods Team under the direction of Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, and other key stakeholders.

ᵒ Program Development

• Assist the Local, Regional, Safe Foods team in developing new educational and technical assistance resources for externally funded projects and local needs, specifically supporting grant-funded initiatives
• Support training efforts and provide collaborative assistance to county extension agents and related programs
• Conduct outreach to new and existing community partners including producers, retailers, distributors, and institutional buyers
• Help maintain a comprehensive database of local food system stakeholders and assets to inform project planning and implementation


ᵒ Project Coordination & Administrative Support

• Coordinate site visits, respond to technical assistance requests (via phone and email), and organize training meetings for internal and external stakeholders
• Facilitate communication between project team members, funded entities and agencies
Manage meeting logistics, including scheduling, agenda creation, note-taking, and follow-up communications
• Maintain calendars, track deadlines, and assist with administrative planning for project activities
• Support data collection, reporting, and documentation of project milestones
• Assist in managing communications across platforms, including email updates, newsletters, promotional content, and social media, as appropriate
• Prepare and distribute educational materials, press releases, and web content
• Monitor program implementation; support collaborators and county agents; and coordinate logistics for team activities
• Support tracking and evaluation of technical assistance efforts
• Assist in evaluating infrastructure needs (e.g., aggregation, storage, transportation) for grant awardees and support related planning efforts
• Help identify and prepare funding proposals and manage budgets in coordination with project leads; assist in tracking grant deliverables and financial reporting

ᵒ Evaluation & Impact Measurement

• Support the development and implementation of tools to assess program outcomes and stakeholder impact
• Collect and analyze program data; prepare evaluation reports and presentations to communicate key findings
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying challenges and making recommendations for program enhancements

ᵒ Event Planning & Facilitation

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate workshops, community forums, and
stakeholder meetings
• Support event logistics including registration, materials preparation, venue setup, and documentation of outcomes
Travel to farms, facilities, conferences, and meetings both in-state and out-of-state as needed (approximately 20% travel).
The office location is Ferndale, Arkansas. Position is subject to funding availability.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher is required. Relevant fields include agricultural education, agricultural economics, horticulture, public health, food science, food safety, food systems, or related disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in agricultural economics, farmers markets, the retail or grocery industry, produce industry, food safety, or agricultural systems
• Understanding of agricultural economics, retail management, supply chain development, specialty crop marketing, food safety audits/inspections, produce packing facilities, and urban agriculture
• Strong communication skills, including writing, public speaking, curriculum development, and managing web or social media content
• On-farm or field experience in specialty crop production and food safety is highly desirable

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, email systems, and data management tools
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meetings
• Ability to exercise initiative, work independently, and collaborate effectively within a team
• Responsiveness to supervisors and stakeholders, with a proactive approach to project coordination and communication

Additional Information:

For technical assistance with the application process, please email humanresources@uada.edu 

Commensurate with education and experienceCover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume, Writing Sample

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Amanda Philyaw Perez, Associate Professor, 501-671-2228

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Child Maltreatment, Motor Vehicle Reports Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment.  The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check.  Required checks are identified in the position listing.  A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position.  Background check information will be used in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law. 

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Driving, Hearing, Kneeling, Lifting, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Pulling, Pushing, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Sitting, Standing, Stooping, Talking, Walking

Frequent Physical Activity:

Balancing, Climbing, Crawling, Crouching, Driving, Feeling, Grasping, Hearing, Kneeling, Lifting, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Pulling, Pushing, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Sitting, Standing, Stooping, Talking, Walking

Occasional Physical Activity:

Balancing, Climbing, Crawling, Crouching, Driving, Feeling, Grasping, Hearing, Kneeling, Lifting, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Pulling, Pushing, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Sitting, Standing, Stooping, Talking, Walking

Benefits Eligible:

Yes