Small Farms Program Coordinator (Benton & Lane Counties)

OSU Oregon State University • Corvallis, OR

9d

About The Position

The Division of Extension and Engagement is seeking a Small Farms Program Coordinator for the Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Program. This full-time, 12-month professional faculty position serves Benton and Lane counties. The Coordinator plans, organizes, coordinates, evaluates, and participates in Small Farms education programs in both counties; monitors and reports progress toward program goals and objectives; and works with internal and external stakeholders to build program support. The role requires travel and driving throughout Benton and Lane counties.

The Division’s mission is to work with communities throughout Oregon to support lifelong learning and co-create innovative solutions to local challenges. The Coordinator helps advance that mission by providing welcoming and inclusive customer service, supporting educational programming and outreach, and responding to public inquiries. OSU will not sponsor immigration work authorization for this position. Starting salary is commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, crops and soil, education, or a closely related field.
• Experience and/or familiarity working with agricultural and food systems in organic and conventional production systems, including areas such as crop planning, field production practices, pest control, regulatory practices and compliance, small farm management, and product marketing.
• Must have or be able to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License within six months of employment and maintain it throughout employment.
• Commitment to collaborative and respectful learning and working environments that are safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
• General computer knowledge and ability, including proficiency with information technology, professional office software, and collaborative work platforms.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to engage successfully with broad and diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as a team member with other professionals.
• Ability to serve audiences from different backgrounds and incorporate broad and diverse perspectives into educational outreach.
• Ability to learn and adapt to multiple digital communication systems, including websites, email newsletters, social media, and other tools.
• Must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined position qualified; required to self-report convictions. Youth-program incumbents may be subject to additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
• Must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in the state of residence, be determined position qualified, and self-report convictions.
• Ability to work in a variety of office and work settings, including outdoors for fieldwork and land visits and in inclement weather.
• Flexibility to work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required based on events and educational programming needs.
• Ability to transport equipment and educational materials by lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling.
• Traveling and driving throughout Benton and Lane counties is required.

Nice To Haves

• Master of Science degree in agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, education, or a closely related field.
• Bilingual and bicultural Spanish/English skills.
• Demonstrated teaching skills, formal and/or informal, appropriate for adult learners.
• Experience and/or familiarity with organic and conventional production systems in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
• Demonstrated understanding of the role of program advisory committees.
• Experience using multiple forms of digital communication.
• Ability to lead groups and plan, organize, evaluate, manage, and delegate program-management details.
• Ability to secure external funding support for educational and research programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for the Small Farms program in Benton County and as a program coordinator in Lane County, providing welcoming and inclusive customer service.
• Provide logistical and other program-delivery and evaluation support for workshops, classes, farm tours, and other Small Farms educational events.
• Promote and market non-credit Small Farms educational programs using mixed media in conjunction with other staff, including preparing news releases and other event advertising, client correspondence, and telephone contacts.
• Participate in outreach programs aimed at serving broad and diverse populations, and contribute to a safe and inclusive environment.
• Serve on the Ask Extension question monitor team by responding to and routing public inquiries to appropriate OSU Extension experts, with a focus on horticulture, agriculture, and small farms topics.
• Assist with developing or revising teaching and other outreach materials.
• Collaborate with faculty on needs assessments to identify and engage local partners, clientele, and underserved populations in designing and delivering non-credit educational programs.
• Plan, monitor, and report performance against program goals and objectives, and interact with internal and external stakeholders to build program support.
• Travel and drive throughout Benton and Lane counties to provide educational programming and services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level