food systems

Outreach Assistant (Educational Program Assistant 2)

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Outreach Assistant (Educational Program Assistant 2)

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Search #: 497128
Work type: Part-time
Location: Tolland County Extension Center
Categories: Academic Programs and Services

JOB SUMMARY

UConn Extension is seeking a part-time Outreach Assistant (Education Program Assistant 2) who will coordinate the activities and provide support for the University’s farm-to-school outreach programming in partnership with the CT Farm to School Collaborative (CTFTSC). The mission of the CTFTSC is to utilize collective knowledge and resources to shift power and create equitable opportunities for locally produced food and food education in Connecticut schools and early childhood centers. This position works with limited supervision from the Extension Educator in Food Systems in regard to administrative duties and budget management. The position will work in close coordination with a 10-member Steering Committee of the CTFTSC in regard to communications, outreach, and network-building. The position is based at UConn Extension’s Tolland County Center in Vernon, CT with an option for telecommuting on a hybrid basis with the expectation to report onsite as needed. Occasional evenings and weekends are required to support program needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Leading and executing events and activities, including monthly meetings, workshops, seminars, and retreats, in an effort to increase visibility and momentum for farm-to-school in CT.
  • Creating, preparing, and updating outreach and promotional materials to inform and educate the public and policymakers about farm-to-school.
  • Serving as a liaison and first point of contact with stakeholders and potential partners; responding to inquiries from external groups.
  • Performing outreach presentations to partners and stakeholders to maintain stable and growing relationships in support of farm-to-school.
  • Representing UConn Extension and CTFTSC at stakeholder events and with external groups.
  • Generating meeting calendars, setting deadlines, and managing timelines.
  • Entering evaluation information into reporting systems and preparing material for progress reports.
  • Developing print, digital, and email content, e-newsletters, social media campaigns, and web content.
  • Assisting with the overall strategy for building program-related networks and relationships with stakeholders.
  • Assisting in the management of budgets, monitoring expenditures, and grant writing.
  • Ensuring that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility are modeled and upheld by the program.
  • Performing other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Bachelor’s degree in an academic discipline appropriate to the field of specialization and two to three years of professional experience related to program specialization; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  2. Proven ability to apply a range of concepts, techniques, and practices to carry out technical program objectives.
  3. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  4. Demonstrated ability to manage and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  5. Familiarity with social media platforms and management, specifically Instagram and Facebook.
  6. Ability to facilitate meetings and presentations with large groups.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  1. A passion for community, food systems, agriculture, food justice, and youth leadership development.
  2. A clear understanding of farm-to-school’s potential to impact community food systems, agriculture, food justice, and education.
  3. Relevant volunteer or work experience in both a school setting and also as a farmer/gardener to better relate to farm-to-school from both sides.
  4. Demonstrated commitment to antiracism, food justice, and the values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  5. Detailed work ethic, demonstrated ability to self-direct while working collaboratively
  6. Demonstrated experience in managing budgets
  7. Ability to approach responsibilities and tasks with strategic thinking.
  8. Skilled in managing multiple priorities and projects while keeping track of details and long-term goals.
  9. Proven experience in program management and program development skills
  10. Spanish language. Bilingual abilities are a plus.
  11. Familiarity with graphic design programs such as Canva, as well as web-based platforms such as Wix and MailChimp.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a part-time, end-dated position with the possibility of renewal subject to performance and funding. Telecommuting on a hybrid basis may be allowed subject to authorization and University policy. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #497128 to upload a resume, cover letter that addresses how you meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications of the position, and contact information for three (3) professional or work-related references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on March 22, 2023.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.

Advertised: Feb 20 2023 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Mar 22 2023 Eastern Daylight Time

CT Grown for CT Kids Week

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apple and pear crunchOctober is National Farm to School Month – a time to recognize and celebrate the connections within communities to fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early care and education sites. With fewer than two percent of Americans living on farms, the U.S. population continues to be more removed from the agricultural practices that sustain them. Programs and activities surrounding farm to school help to bridge the gap while fostering new relationships.

“Farm to school is a holistic approach to engaging students in experiential learning about food and where it comes from. It is a farmer delivering local food to a student’s lunch tray, as well as learning about that farmer and the communities that feed us; it’s all encompassing,” said Nyree Hodges, CT Farm to School Collaborative Coordinator. “The opportunities for cross-curricular integration are endless, even in a virtual learning environment. It bridges school and community by giving students agency to play an active role in improving our food system.”

Here in Connecticut, October 5-9 is CT Grown for CT Kids Week. Started in 2006 as a joint effort between the State Department of Education and Department of Agriculture, this week aims to celebrate and support local agriculture, public education, and their community commitment to the importance of healthy, nutritious meals in schools. Each year, legislators, food service directors, farmers, and students gather through farm to school activities and consumption of local products.

“The Connecticut Farm to School program ensures access to nutritious, delicious Connecticut Grown food for students while increasing market access for farmers throughout the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner, Bryan P. Hurlburt. “CT Grown for CT Kids Week highlights the abundance of locally produced foods in an engaging and fun way for families to establish healthy eating practices.”

While many of the activities this year will look different due to COVID-19, it’s also an opportunity to honor all who contribute to feeding children and their communities – farmers, harvesters, food hub distributors, school nutrition professionals, educators and many others.

“You can’t learn if you’re hungry. Ensuring continued access to nutritious meals provides a critical lifeline and stability for children and households grappling with food insecurity, health crises, job losses,

isolation, and adapting to new ways of learning,” said Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona. “In addition to teaching students about our food systems and where their meals come from, Farm to School month and CT Grown for CT Kids Week allows us to further celebrate the work of our farmers, food service heroes, and child nutrition partners to bring quality local foods to schools across the state – over 14 million since March.”

Students, families, and educators across Connecticut are invited to celebrate CT Grown for CT Kids Week by participating in the 5th annual HardCORE Apple and Pear Challenge. All you need is a Connecticut Grown apple or pear and to eat it down to its core. Post a photo or video to social media and use the hashtags #ctgrownforctkids and #applecrunch to be involved. Educational toolkits and more activities are available on the Put Local On Your Tray website.

“One of the best ways to reconnect to nature and healthy living is to consume foods grown in your own environment. Our bodies are designed to have that proximal relationship with our food,” said Herb Virgo, Founder and Executive Director of Keney Park Sustainability Project. “CT Grown for CT Kids Week is a great way to educate students and their families on the importance of local food consumption while supporting the local economy.”

According to a 2015 USDA Farm to School Census, 70% of Connecticut schools surveyed participate in farm to school activities. They invested more than $7.2 million in local food and 51% of the Connecticut districts surveyed planned to increase local food purchases in the future.

In 2016, the CT Farm to School Collaborative (F2S Collaborative) was convened. The F2S Collaborative is a multi-stakeholder partnership whose function is to pursue projects together that no one partner could do alone. Participating organizations represent the variety of stakeholders needed for collaborative work on Farm to School, including: Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, UConn Extension, School Nutrition Association of CT, FoodCorps CT, New England Food & Dairy Council, Common Ground, and Hartford Food System.