Agricultural Outreach Specialist, Project Coordinator

Pennsylvania State University Middletown, PA Full-time Project Management

Posted on April 2, 2024

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Agricultural Outreach Specialist, Project Coordinator

The Institute of Sustainable Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Science (SAFES) and its Agriculture and Environment Center (AEC) is seeking a dynamic self-starter to serve as an Agricultural Outreach Specialist, Project Coordinator to aid in the execution of its collaborative and integrated research, Extension, outreach, and education programs throughout Pennsylvania and beyond, with a specific emphasis in the priority region of the Lower Susquehanna. The work involves extensive outreach and education to farmers, rural landowners, communities, local governments, and agriculture-related businesses/industry about agricultural conservation, climate-smart agricultural practices, and soil and water health. The work is a mix of complex partnership and project facilitation and management, development and delivery of educational programming, outreach and education working with stakeholder organizations and landowners, and part time supervision and management of part-time employees, student interns, and volunteers. Primary duties include:

Identify, design, develop, implement, and evaluate educational and outreach programs to landowners, stakeholders and the public related to agricultural conservation and climate-smart practices, water quality, stream health, and riparian ecosystems, including interpretation and dissemination of the latest research findings in these fields. This includes development and dissemination of publications, articles, websites, social media material, and presentations.
Organize, coordinate, and manage public educational and outreach events such as field days, farmer meetings, workshops, and tours, including meetings of the C3RP Soil Health Hub, a program of the statewide Pennsylvania Soil Health Coalition.
Develop, lead, and manage a robust public-private agricultural education, outreach and implementation partnership in priority watersheds in the high intensity agricultural region of the Lower Susquehanna, in support of the AEC's novel community watershed engagement program.
In support of the AEC's novel community watershed engagement program, develop and manage watershed restoration projects and programs within priority watersheds, including budgetary, planning, and implementation activities. This work involves devising, planning and executing complex tasks to ensure funding and technical assistance resources and partners are secured and deployed to successfully implement priority conservation projects on landowner properties, assisting in administration of external funds to support projects, and serving as lead liaison between landowners and multiple watershed partners to make complex projects happen and achieve watershed restoration goals in a timely manner. It involves coordinating all administrative, financial, personnel and planning aspects of watershed restoration projects on behalf of the AEC.
Respond to stakeholder inquiries and conduct landowner outreach for project development purposes associated with implementation and research goals of the AEC's novel community watershed engagement program and the College of Agricultural Sciences' climate-smart agriculture program, including site visits and various forms of communications to discuss conservation and climate-smart practice implementation and field research opportunities.
Facilitate inter-organizational collaboration between various stakeholders, partners, and state and federal agencies through representation of Penn State on priority stakeholder groups and advisory committees and through helping to manage watershed and climate-smart agricultural partnerships facilitated by the AEC. This work includes responding to requests from various governmental agencies seeking information necessary to make decisions that ultimately affect stakeholders.
In collaboration with the new Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training and state and federal partners, develop and implement marketing plans for the AEC's novel community watershed engagement program and its public-private ag outreach approach across the Commonwealth. This work will enhance capacities through partnership where needed to accelerate the implementation of agricultural conservation practices in furtherance of the Commonwealth's clean water goals.
Plan and manage budgets for programs and services related to agricultural outreach initiatives of the AEC and SAFES and develop proposals and administer grants related to SAFES/AEC's agricultural outreach and community watershed engagement programs, working in collaboration with the SAFES and AEC directors and SAFES administrative and finical support staff.
Generate and prepare reports, gather and analyze data, and make data-informed recommendations for meeting SAFES/AEC's and the College's goals to accelerate agricultural conservation initiatives across the Commonwealth.
Coordinate and manage part-time staff, student interns, volunteers, contractors and conservation partners in the field to implement and maintain conservation practices associated with outcomes of the AEC's novel community watershed engagement program.

This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This is a limited term position funded for one year from date of hire with excellent possibility of refunding.

Education and Experience: Typical minimum requirements include a Bachelor's degree plus 4 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Degrees in either the field of agricultural sciences or environmental sciences is preferred.

The ideal candidate would have knowledge in the following areas: Watershed and agricultural science; knowledge of farming and agricultural conservation practices and funding programs; watershed management and solutions to address water quality issues; experience with farming operations and communicating with farmers; experience and skills in communication and education; complex problem-solving skills; complex collaborative project management.

The following background checks must be successfully completed for this position: This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

Apply online at https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Staff/job/Penn-State-Harrisburg/Agricultural-Outreach-Specialist--Project-Coordinator_REQ_0000051641-1

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: For more about safety at Penn State, and to review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters, please go to http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/, which will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual Security Report.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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