Food Business Specialist (CES 3) Job Listing at University of California in Davis, CA (Job ID 67630)

Description

Job Description

The Food Business Specialist (Community Education Specialist 3) will coordinate outreach and education efforts and provide individual technical assistance to food entrepreneurs, food innovators, small-scale farmers, and small businesses as part of the Local Farm and Food Innovation (F3Local) Initiative's Farm-to-Market program. This position offers a unique opportunity to drive positive change in the Central Valley region's food system and be part of a five-county effort to grow and bolster small-scale local food businesses through farm and food entrepreneurship training and technical assistance across the region.

The Food Business Specialist is dedicated to empowering small-scale food and farm businesses and food entrepreneurs and innovators in the San Joaquin Valley Region (Merced, Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare Counties). Located in Fresno or Merced, the Food Business Specialist will provide personalized technical assistance, business support, and access to resources, focusing on areas such as certification, permitting, licensing, access to capital. and business planning. The responsibilities will range from developing educational materials and delivering presentations to fostering outreach and participation in training programs. The Food Business Specialist will build crucial networks to provide technical support to small-scale food and farm businesses and collaborate with other providers and offering hands-on assistance to entrepreneurs to ensure they receive the support needed for growth. With a strong emphasis on building trusted relationships and community engagement, the Food Business Specialist will connect small business owners and entrepreneurs to available resources and opportunities and accompany them with one-on-one technical assistance throughout the process of forming and developing their business. 

This position is a contract appointment that is 100% fixed.

Pay Scale: $47,500.00/year to $63,900.00/year

Job Posting Close Date: 
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 5/27/2024.

Key Responsibilities:

40%

Education and Training Development: Develop, design, and evaluate educational materials tailored to the needs of the target audience. Plan and deliver presentations on relevant topics to enhance the knowledge and skills of food entrepreneurs in the region. Provide personalized technical assistance to small-scale food and farming entrepreneurs and businesses including training and logistical support with licensing and permitting requirements, access to capital and existing resources, business planning, and connections to marketing support from project partners. 

30%

Outreach and Community Engagement: Assist in developing and delivering effective methods to increase outreach and technical assistance to small-scale farms, food businesses and food processing enterprises for F3Local Farm to Market programs. Inform small business owners, entrepreneurs, and partner referral sources about available educational resources and engagement opportunities through marketing seminars, courses, online resources, and events. Build networks and collaborate with other technical providers in the region and deliver presentations to the community about services and programs available. Identify small food businesses and organizations working in this space to facilitate partnerships and mutual support.

20%

Master Food Preservers: Serve as local coordinator for the UC Master Food Preserver (MFP) volunteer program and facilitate support and training from MFP volunteers for small-scale food entrepreneurs producing Cottage Foods and other value-added preserved products. Oversee training, maintain records of volunteer hours, ensure compliance with program guidelines, and regularly communicate with the MFP Program Manager. Participate in needs assessments and strategic planning and develop curriculum to address identified needs. 

10%

Data Collection and Management: Assist with Farm to Market program activities and data collection and management. Gather input from small-scale farms, food businesses and food processing enterprises, manage database and Excel records, assist with tracking of activities, contacts, and expenses. Organize information for program evaluation and prepare reports, summaries, and case studies. Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements:

• Associate's degree with coursework in food science, food service management, food safety, agricultural economics, agricultural business, business management/administration, entrepreneurship, community development, or in a related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Thorough knowledge of community education, community engagement, teaching and/or facilitation best practices
• Demonstrated ability to engage with diverse communities
• Demonstrated skills to communicate and work in large groups, small groups and one-on-one, give presentations
• Proven track record of building strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and community groups
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple project tasks
• Thorough and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficiency in use of Windows-based computers and Microsoft Office applications

Preferred Skills:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience / training
• Experience teaching and working with a diverse audience and experience working with underserved populations
• Past experiences in community engagement and/or economic development
• Business acumen and experience in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in development, including business planning, financial management, marketing, and sales
• Proficiency in technical areas relevant to small food businesses, such as food safety and sanitation, menu development, inventory management, supply chain logistics, and food production processes
• Previous involvement in organizing workshops, conferences, or community events aimed at supporting small-scale farms and food businesses
• Bilingual communication/translation abilities in English and Spanish/ Hmong/ Mien/ Punjabi or other languages spoken in the community

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required.
• Travel including travel outside normal business hours may be requested. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited. 

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) brings the power of University of California research and education to all 58 California counties. Through research and extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition, and youth development, we work to improve the life of every Californian.

Collaborating to solve problems.

Connecting to serve communities.

For over 100 years, our advisors, specialists, faculty and staff have been committed to connecting Californians to their land grant university. We are highly collaborative and mission-driven to promote the health and well-being of people and places across the state. We are also trusted partners with hundreds of community organizations in addressing California's most pressing challenges.

UC ANR is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

This position will promote, in all ways consistent with the other responsibilities of the position, accomplishment of the Affirmative Action goals established by the Division.  

The University of California 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, gender expression, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. If you have questions, please email the Human Resources Department.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time.  Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

Internal Candidates: Review the job posting and click the internal applicant link to apply. Use the same credentials used to login to UCPath to access the internal UC ANR job postings in order to apply.

Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site.  Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.

External Candidates: You must register to apply for a job or create a job search agent profile. Review the job posting and click the external applicant link to apply. Click the 'Register Here' link and follow the steps to create the account. The system will not prompt you to register until you try to apply for a job online.

Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site.  Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.