Emerging Issues Specialist: Produce & Grants (VT)

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

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.