Visiting Assistant/Associate Extension Educator in Food Systems

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Extension is seeking applicants for a full-time (11-month) non-tenure track Visiting Assistant/Associate Extension Educator. The successful applicant will develop and deliver impactful extension programs to fulfill contracts with state agencies and grant deliverables with an emphasis on Farm to School and Farm to Early Care Education. These programs will build an Extension program focused on 1) increasing locally and regionally grown food procured and served in school cafeterias and early care centers; 2) increasing viable opportunities for farm operators interested in selling to schools and early care providers; 3) increasing youth/student/child familiarity with and knowledge of local food through experiential learning in K-12 and early care settings. This Extension Educator will collaborate with UConn personnel, state and federal agency partners, school administrators, school food directors, early care providers, educators, growers, and producers as appropriate.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Function as UConn Extension’s expert on farm-to-school and take a lead in collaboration with the CT State Department of Education, CT Department of Agriculture, CT Department of Public Health, CT Office of Early Childhood, and the Northeast Regional Office of USDA Food and Nutrition Services.
• Direct and implement deliverables and ensure timelines are met for state agency contracts.
• Develop educational programming that focuses on procurement and preparation of local and regional foods in school cafeterias, advancing experiential learning about food and agriculture for students, and helping farmers increase their readiness and ability to sell to schools.
• Seek grants to continue to recruit, train, and supervise part-time, regional, and hourly employees engaged to work closely with school districts across the state.
• Seek grants to continue to develop educational programming that focuses on increasing farm-to-early care activities.
• Seek grants to continue to coordinate the delivery of technical assistance through one-on-one coaching to stakeholders.
• Conduct outreach about UConn Extension’s farm-to-school activities at state and regional events.
• Responsible for ensuring sound budget management and oversight which includes approving and tracking project expenditures.
• Work closely with state agencies and professional associations that are invested in expanding farm-to-school in our state.
• Advise and educate state lawmakers on evidence from farm-to-school policies enacted in other states.
• Provide leadership and expertise to stakeholders, decision-makers, and the public on how to expand farm-to-school in our state.
• Seek external funding and create applied scholarship and technical materials to enhance extension programs. Activities will also include building collaborative and interdisciplinary networks.  
• Extend the reach of UConn Extension by ensuring ADA compliance and integrating distance technology into the program delivery through computer/mobile applications, webpages, multimedia technologies, and online courses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. A master’s degree in a related field and two years of experience in sustainable food and agriculture systems, nutrition, education, or public health.
2. For the Associate rank, the successful candidate must also have at least five years of experience as an Assistant Cooperative Extension Educator or the equivalent. 
3. Knowledge of state and federal policies that impact farm-to-school efforts, including incentives and grant programs.
4. Demonstrates understanding of how farm-to-school programming has evolved in CT and nationally and what current approaches indicate the most potential for success.
5. Experience working in a school or an organization whose mission is to improve the lives of youth or children.
6. A record of leadership in multi-stakeholder initiatives or coalitions working toward reform in educational settings.
7. Experience directing and managing teams working on a project or program, including staff supervision, training, coaching, developing and monitoring work plans, and meeting project timelines.
8. Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Demonstrates familiarity with leveraging federal, state, and regional programs and policies to expand farm-to-school in our state. 
2. Demonstrates familiarity or experience working with USDA Food and Nutrition Services, National Farm to School Network, Northeast Farm to School Collaborative, CT State Department of Education, CT Department of Agriculture, CT Department of Public Health, School Nutrition Association o