SARE Grant Program Admin - Farmer Grant

The University of Vermont; Burlington, Northern (VT, KY); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Vermont’s Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program seeks a recruitment and grant coordination lead to manage research and outreach projects, oversee proposal reviews, and liaise with government partners and internal teams.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in sustainable agriculture or business administration, 2–4 years in an agricultural setting, strong communication, data handling skills, and the ability to manage budgets and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to sustainable agriculture or business administration and 2–4 years of relevant experience.
• Significant relevant experience should be in an agricultural environment or related field.
• Familiarity with sustainable agricultural research principles and practices.
• Ability to communicate clearly with a variety of audiences.
• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheets.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate positive relationships to promote programs to people and organizations in all communities.
• Use online grant management system to process applications, proposal reviews, and project reporting.
• Compile and analyze review results and recommendations.
• Synthesize reviewer comments and provide feedback to applicants.
• Review budgets of approved proposals for allowability.
• Work with staff to finalize awards for contracting.
• Support project leaders with reporting and approve project reports.
• Make occasional site visits to funded projects.
• Promote the grant program by sharing project experiences and impacts.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in sustainable agriculture or business administration

Master’s degree is preferred

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Job description

The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category legally protected by federal or state law.

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Finalists for positions at UVM may be subject to a criminal background check.

For classified staff positions, actual hiring pay dependent on current competitor market conditions, comparable campus peer(s) at time of hire, and candidate’s experience level and length.

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education ( SARE ) Program is one of four regional SARE programs funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and is administered by the University of Vermont. Northeast SARE offers grants and education to farmers, educators, service providers, researchers and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region. SARE’s Nationwide mission is to advance, to the whole of American agriculture, innovations that improve profitability, stewardship, and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education.

Position Description:

Provide leadership and coordination for recruitment, review, award and implementation of research and outreach projects funded by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education ( SARE ) program.

Synthesize data and results of the Farmer Grant program for disseminating to appropriate government agencies and other audiences. Oversee, communicate, and implement multiple activities, events, and procedures to ensure effective function of grant programs within Northeast SARE , such as solicitation of proposals, proposal review panels, strategic planning, awarded project management, and liaison to research, administration, and educational partners. Cultivate and manage relationships with potential grant applicants, grantees, federal and state partners, and internal and external research partners. Coordinate operational aspects of Northeast SARE Farmer Grant program including call for proposals, review team orientation and proposal evaluation, development of ranked lists of proposals, review of project budges, issuing of project awards, review and approval of research project reports. Assure projects are awarded and managed in compliance with university and USDA policies and procedures.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Cultivate positive relationships to promote programs to people and organizations in all communities.
• Use SARE’s on-line grant management system to process applications, proposal reviews, and project reporting.
• Compile and analyze review team results and recommendations.
• Synthesize reviewer comments on proposals; provide feedback to all applicants.
• Review the budgets of approved proposals to make sure expenses are allowable.
• Work with staff to finalize awards for contracting.
• Support project leaders with reporting; review and approve all project reports.
• Make occasional site visits to funded projects.
• Promote the grant program by sharing project experiences and impacts.
• Support other grant program operations as needed.

This is a 12-month, 1.0 FTE exempt position, with a robust benefits package. Learn more about the University of Vermont’s benefits package here, www.uvm.edu/human-resources/benefits.

This position is eligible for full-time telework in accordance with the university telecommuting policy, with physical space available in the South Burlington Extension office if desired.

Minimum Qualifications (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

• A Bachelors degree in a field relevant to sustainable agriculture or business administration, and two to four years of relevant experience is required.
• Significant relevant experience should be in an agricultural environment or a related field.
• Familiarity with principles and practices of sustainable agricultural research required.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audiences.
• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheets required.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, organize data, meet deadlines, and coordinate projects.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree is preferred.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and statistical analyses is desirable.
• Experience applying for and managing research grants is desirable.

Anticipated Pay Range

Anticipated Pay Range $56,000 - $64,000 annually

Other Information

Special Conditions

Special Conditions A probationary period may be required, Contingent on continued funding, Travel to and from worksites required, This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule with an option to split time between campus and elsewhere, in accordance with the university telecommuting policy, This position is eligible for full-time telework in accordance with the university telecommuting policy, Background Check required for this position

FLSA

FLSA Exempt