Community Food & Agricultural Systems Coordinator

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Wilberforce (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Community Food and Agricultural Systems Development Coordinator to support small-scale agricultural and food systems through outreach and technical assistance. This role involves developing program curricula and providing training in nonprofit business development. The ideal candidate will possess a Master's degree or relevant experience, strong communication skills, and a commitment to working with diverse communities.

The position will focus on grant writing, volunteer coordination, and offering expertise to food businesses across Ohio, emphasizing support for underserved populations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 3-5 years of experience or bachelor’s degree with 5 or more years of experience in Business Administration, Community Food Systems, Agribusiness, Community Development, or related topics.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Must have well-developed verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and record keeping skills.
• Must be able to successfully work with people at all organizational levels and diverse backgrounds.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and travel to various locations throughout the state of Ohio.
• Proficient in the use of desktop publishing, word processing, and data processing software.

Responsibilities

• Develop, organize and provide outreach and programming for business owners in food systems.
• Provide technical assistance to food system business owners across the state.
• Create outreach tools and materials for communication outlets.
• Provide training on food systems business development.
• Quantify and track outreach efforts, especially to underserved communities.
• Seek external funding for food systems business development.
• Promote business tools developed by CSU Extension to growers.
• Maintain knowledge of laws and opportunities for agriculture businesses in Ohio.

Skills

Independent work

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Record keeping

Desktop publishing software

Data processing software

Education

Master's degree in relevant field

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

Job Summary

The Community Food and Agricultural Systems Development Coordinator is a joint position with Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Community Economic Development program areas for Central State University Extension. The candidate will have a background in nonprofit business operation, management, and development as well as the operation of small‑scale agricultural, food systems, and agritourism businesses. They will provide expertise and training to community members in nonprofit business development, integrating agriculture education, production, and food preparation/preservation into nonprofit operations, grant writing, volunteer coordination, and other related topics. This position will also be responsible for developing program curricula on these topics and provide training to Extension Educators in the Community & Economic Development (CED) and Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR) program areas to assist in delivering these programs across the state. Education outreach includes both non‑ and for‑profit small businesses in the Food Systems space may also occur. Familiarity with youth agriculture education, food safety regulations, and grant management is desirable. This position will provide support to a wide variety of food businesses, with particular emphasis on small nonprofits working in the food production and distribution sector. The selected candidate will work closely with ANR and CED educators to connect with constituents across the state to provide technical assistance to help them to build and develop their business within their local food system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, organize and provide outreach and programming for current and aspiring business owners working in the food systems space.
• Provide technical assistance virtually and in person across the state to business owners working in community food systems.
• Create outreach tools and materials for various internal and external communication outlets.
• Provide training and support on Food Systems business development to CED and ANR educators.
• Quantify and track outreach efforts including to underserved and underrepresented populations.
• Seek external funding opportunities to support outreach and food systems business development.
• Create and promote farm business tools developed by CSU Extension to growers.
• Maintain knowledge of current laws, regulations, and opportunities for food and agricultural businesses in Ohio through professional development opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 3-5 years of experience or bachelor’s degree with 5 or more years of experience in Business Administration, Community Food Systems, Agribusiness, Community Development, or related topics.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Must have well‑developed verbal and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and record keeping skills.
• Must be able to successfully work with people at all organizational levels and diverse backgrounds.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and travel to various locations throughout the state of Ohio.
• Proficient in the use of desktop publishing, word processing, and data processing software.