Program Associate - Food Safety Extension Education
University of Arkansas · Little Rock ·
- Work mode
- Remote
- Employment
- Full time
- Category
- Industrial engineering
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Type of Position:
Researchers
Workstudy Position:
Job Type:
Regular
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Institution Name:
Division of Agriculture of the University of ArkansasThe University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus, with faculty based on University campuses, at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and is home to more than 1400 employees. The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture. The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration. As an employer, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.
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Department:
Horticulture * Associate Professor
Department's Website:
Summary of Job Duties:
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is seeking a Program Associate in Food Safety Extension Education to provide statewide education, outreach, technical assistance, and program coordination related to food safety and food systems.This position will support Extension programming focused on the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, food safety education, small and emerging food businesses, home-based and cottage food production, food processing, and local and regional food systems. The Program Associate will work with a diverse range of clientele, including farmers, food entrepreneurs, home-based and cottage food businesses, small food manufacturers, community organizations, county extension agents, and other food system stakeholders.
A primary responsibility of the position will be to translate food safety science, regulations, and best practices into practical, accessible education and technical assistance. The Program Associate will help clientele understand food safety requirements, implement appropriate practices, and identify resources to support safe food production and business development.
The position will work collaboratively with Extension faculty, county agents, state and federal agencies, regulatory partners, industry, and community organizations to identify food safety education needs and develop effective programming. The position will also assist with program evaluation, grant activities, outreach, curriculum development, and project coordination.
Additional responsibilities may include providing education and technical assistance to home-based, cottage food, small-scale, and emerging food businesses, including food safety practices, regulatory requirements, product development, processing, labeling, sanitation, and preparation for transitioning from home-based production to commercial food manufacturing, as appropriate to the position and available funding.
Additional responsibilities may also include support for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audit education and technical assistance.
Key Responsibilities
• Plan, coordinate, promote, and deliver FSMA Produce Safety Rule Grower Trainings, food safety workshops, webinars, conferences, and other Extension programs.
• Develop and deliver food safety Extension education and technical assistance for farmers, food businesses, Extension personnel, and community stakeholders, including home-based, cottage food, small-scale, and emerging food businesses.
• Provide technical assistance related to food safety practices, regulations, food handling, sanitation, processing, labeling, and food safety systems, including GMPs, HACCP, and food safety plans.
• Develop practical, audience-focused curricula, presentations, fact sheets, guides, digital resources, and other educational materials that translate scientific and regulatory information into actionable guidance.
• Collaborate with county Extension agents, faculty, regulatory agencies, industry, community organizations, and other partners to identify needs and expand food safety programming throughout Arkansas.
• Coordinate project activities, timelines, communications, deliverables, participant recruitment, data collection, evaluation, reporting, and grant documentation.
• Support program outreach through presentations, conferences, professional communications, websites, social media, and other appropriate channels.
• Maintain current knowledge of food safety regulations, Extension education methods, food processing, and emerging food safety issues.
• Represent the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service at professional meetings, trainings, conferences, and other events.
• Travel throughout Arkansas and occasionally out of state for training, technical assistance, meetings, and other program activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Food Safety and Food Systems Extension programming.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and three years of relevant professional experience, or a related Master's degree is required.
- Relevant fields include food science, food safety, public health, family and consumer sciences, agricultural education, horticulture, crop science, soil science, environmental science, food systems, rural or community development, or related disciplines.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates with:
- Food safety Extension education, outreach, or technical assistance experience.
- FDA FSMA Produce Safety Rule Trainer certification or demonstrated knowledge and experience with the Produce Safety Rule.
- Experience developing and delivering adult education, workforce training, workshops, webinars, or professional education.
- Experience with GMPs, HACCP, sanitation, food safety plans, or other food safety management systems.
- Experience developing food safety curricula, training materials, presentations, digital learning resources, or other educational content.
- Experience translating scientific, technical, or regulatory information into accessible educational materials.
- Experience providing individual or group technical assistance to food businesses, producers, community organizations, or other clientele.
- Experience working with Cooperative Extension, universities, public health or regulatory agencies, food industry, government, or community-based organizations.
- Experience with program or project coordination, grant management or writing, and program evaluation.
- Experience with professional presentations, publications, conferences, websites, social media, or other educational communications.
- Knowledge of home-based and cottage food production, small and emerging food businesses, food processing, value-added production, or local and regional food systems.
- Experience with GAP/GHP/GMP or other food safety audit and certification programs.
- Master’s degree in food science, food safety, public health, family and consumer sciences, agricultural education, food systems, or another closely related field.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Strong written, oral, interpersonal, instructional, and presentation skills.
- Ability to communicate complex scientific and regulatory information to diverse audiences.
- Strong adult education, facilitation, curriculum development, and technical assistance skills.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and time-management abilities.
- Ability to exercise initiative, solve problems, manage multiple priorities, and work independently.
- Ability to build effective relationships with clientele, colleagues, agencies, and community partners.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, virtual meeting platforms, and data management systems.
- Ability to collect, manage, and evaluate program data.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel extensively throughout Arkansas.
- Ability to work effectively in office, educational, and field settings.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects, programs, or significant areas of responsibility.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
Additional Information:
Salary Information:
Required Documents to Apply:
Optional Documents:
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Recruitment Contact Information:
All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site
Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.
Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Motor Vehicle Reports CheckThe University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment. The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law.
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.
All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.