Produce Program Outreach & Education Coordinator

Join the Vermont Agency of Agriculture team that supports Vermont’s fruit and vegetable growers and protects public health! The Produce Program Outreach & Education Coordinator (Agriculture Development Specialist I) conducts outreach and education to Vermont’s produce industry and related stakeholders focused on FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and best practices for on-farm produce safety. The coordinator works closely with other Produce Program team members and manages multiple simultaneous projects and priorities.Key responsibilities of this position include the following:

• Design and develop outreach and education materials in print and digital formats.
• Conduct phone, email, and in-person outreach to growers and other stakeholders.
• Organize workshops, training, and stakeholder meetings.
• Collaborate with the communications team on press releases and social media content.
• Evaluate on-farm produce safety practices and provide produce safety training.
• Develop, track, and report on program metrics. 
• The ideal candidate is self-directed, has excellent written and oral communication skills, can synthesize and communicate complex ideas in plain language, and has experience working with diverse audiences/stakeholders. Candidates should have some familiarity with and a strong interest in graphic design as well as familiarity with agriculture and/or food safety. This position is funded by a multi-year FDA cooperative agreement. The successful candidate will be based in Williston, VT for the first six months of employment; the permanent duty station for this position is expected to be Montpelier, VT. This is a full-time position starting at $23.67/hour.
• How to Apply: Apply online at careers.vermont.gov. Reference Job ID #6071. Application deadline 3/15/2020. For more information about this position, contact Kristina Sweet at kristina.sweet@vermont.gov or (802) 522-7811.
• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree AND one (1) year or more of experience at or above a technical level in agriculture, marketing, environmental conversation, communications, land use planning or another relevant field.Total CompensationAs a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it’s more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium
• Dental Plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan; many jobs also allow for a flexible schedule
• Low cost group life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The State of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged.