Emerging Issues Specialist - Limited Service

State of Vermont; Williston (VT); On-site; USD 43,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Vermont, Williston, VT, seeks an Emerging Issues Specialist - Limited Service to support two core programs: disaster assistance for agriculture and produce industry expertise, while driving statewide strategies for a diverse food system.

The role manages federally funded projects, coordinates with internal and external partners, and may require travel and non-standard hours as needed.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years or more of combined education and experience in agriculture, environmental conservation, marketing, economics, communications, business administration, non-profit management, land use planning, or another relevant field, including one (1) year of program coordination experience.
• OR
• At least one (1) year of experience as an Agriculture Development Specialist II in Vermont State service.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in agriculture, marketing, environmental conservation, economics, communications, land use planning or another closely related field, AND one (1) year or more of experience in agriculture, marketing, environmental conservation, economics, communications, land use planning, or another relevant closely related field, including program coordination experience.

Responsibilities

• Support a team that administers the Vermont Agriculture and Timber Disaster Assistance program, engaging in education, outreach, inquiries, site visit verification, and grant direction.
• Serve as produce industry specialist, liaising with regulatory partners and industry experts to guide statewide produce strategies.
• Manage annual projects for the specialty crop industry with 1-3 year scopes and budgets.
• Support emerging issues critical to a diverse food system, including policy education and statewide surveys.

Skills

Holistic thinking

Collaboration

Clear communication

Produce industry expertise

Food safety trainings

Vermont ag familiarity

Budgeting familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in agriculture/marketing/environmental conservation/economics/communications/land use planning or related field

Job description

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Title: Emerging Issues Specialist - Limited Service

Application Deadline Date: 10/11/2026

Department: Agriculture, Food & Markets Agency

Location: Williston, VT, US

Position Type: Limited Service

Schedule Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: $31.54

Maximum Salary: $49.45

Overview

Are you passionate about supporting multiple aspects of Vermont food and agriculture? Do you want to assist farmers and foresters recover from climate-related losses and prepare for the future? Do you thrive within a dynamic team that is helping the produce industry reach new markets and become more resilient?

The Agriculture Development Division seeks a skilled professional to serve as Emerging Issues Specialist. This position will split their time between two main programs: 1) supporting a federal grant that provides funding to farmers and foresters that had weather-related losses and 2) supporting the specialty crop industry, primarily focusing on produce industry expertise. The position will also support key emerging needs that will bolster a diverse and thriving agricultural landscape.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support a team that administers the Vermont Agriculture and Timber Disaster Assistance program. This position will engage in education and outreach, respond to applicant inquiries, engage in site visit verification, and support the strategic direction of the multi-year grant program.
• Serve as produce industry specialist. This position will liaison with internal regulatory partners and external industry experts to keep a pulse on the produce industry's needs. Serving as subject matter expert, they will help guide statewide strategies for the produce industry.
• Manage annual projects that support the specialty crop industry. Self-directed projects will be on a 1-3 year cycle and could include scopes such as increasing access to wholesale markets or increasing participation in food safety certifications. This position will be responsible for managing federal project budgets and crafting project scopes.
• Support emerging issues that are critical to a thriving, diverse food system. Examples include education around Accessory On-Farm Business policy or administering statewide surveys for climate related events.

The Ideal Candidate

• Thinks holistically, responds creatively to emergent needs, and manages complex projects
• Thrives on meaningful collaboration with both internal and external partners
• Communicates clearly, especially with farmers and foresters
• Brings expertise of the produce industry, whether in production, processing, wholesale, retail, and/or the supply chain
• Holds food safety certifications or is excited to take these trainings
• Has a familiarity with Vermont's food and agriculture systems and service provider networks
• Has a familiarity with budgeting, federal funds, and/or statewide granting programs

Who May Apply

This position, Emerging Issues Specialist - Limited Service (Job Requisition #55809), is open to all State employees and external applicants. It is a Limited Service position, which is non-tenured and authorized for a specific period of time. Limited Service positions are established for specially funded projects or programs. This position is expected to be funded through June of 2028.

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

Duties are performed in a variety of settings, including open floorplan office, producer and market sites, and public events, project sites and potential hearing and legislative settings. Frequent in-state, regional, and out-of-state travel is involved, for which private reliable means of transportation must be available. Frequent public communication and presentations, both verbally and in writing, is expected. An incumbent must coordinate activities with other departmental staff, the Secretary of the Agency and Deputy Secretary, and interact considerably with agricultural and land development business people, interest groups and the general public. Certain required activities will occur outside of normal office hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Five (5) years or more of combined education and experience in agriculture, environmental conservation, marketing, economics, communications, business administration, non-profit management, land use planning, or another relevant field, including one (1) year of program coordination experience.

OR

At least one (1) years of experience as an Agriculture Development Specialist II in Vermont State service.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher in agriculture, marketing, environmental conservation, economics, communications, land use planning or another closely related field, AND one (1) year or more of experience in agriculture, marketing, environmental conservation, economics, communications, land use planning, or another relevant closely related field, including program coordination experience.

Preference for candidates who have completed continuous improvement processes, facilitation, and program management trainings.

Experience being responsible for annualized management of grant and program funding greater than $500,000.

Total Compensation

As 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 and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.