AgriProspects Workforce Development Network Seeks Coordinator for Western and 1994 Regions

Application Link: https://registry.extension.org/253375595554166

Location: Remote

The Extension Foundation is seeking dynamic, collaborative individuals to help advance AgriProspects, a national initiative aimed at strengthening Extension’s role and capacity in the agricultural workforce development ecosystem. The two main goals of AgriProspects are to 1) raise the profile of Extension’s non-credit adult agricultural workforce development programming through the development of a dynamic national clearinghouse and 2) uplift and enhance Extension’s internal and external non-credit workforce development practice, partnerships, and networks to support farmers, ranchers, producers, and the workforce supporting them.

AgriProspects’s work to support the above is split across four work streams:

• Engagement & Learning
• Data & Insights
• The AgriProspects Marketplace
• The ExPLORE Lab (The Extension Pathways for Learning, Opportunity, Readiness, and Employment Lab)

Coordinators will engage in executing all four work streams through a variety of activities around adult agricultural workforce development. Some examples of activities include engaging with Extension and Land-grant peers as well as external stakeholders; curating non-credit Extension educational content and opportunities; and developing and leveraging data-driven insights to support AgriProspects and innovation across non-credit Extension programming.

Ideal candidates will have experience in Extension field work, including program development and delivery, stakeholder engagement, workforce development and/or community development, data analysis and reporting, and an interest in non-credit workforce education.

AgriProspects is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)-National Extension Clearinghouse for Industry and the Workforce, project award no. 2023-67037-40533, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Region(s) of Service: Western CES Region, 1994 CES Region/Tribal Colleges & Universities

Title: AgriProspects Coordinator, Western & 1994 Regions

Scope of Work

Both individually and as part of the larger AgriProspects team, the incumbent will:

• Develop and implement strategies to engage Extension professionals, employers, learners, and workforce stakeholders in adult agricultural workforce development programming at both regional and national levels.
• Coordinate and facilitate collaborative activities to foster meaningful dialogue and joint action among workforce development stakeholders.
• Develop, refine, and execute a regional engagement plan aligned with AgriProspects and Extension Foundation priorities, including tracking engagement activities and outcomes.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the AgriProspects Marketplace, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and relevance of program listings, and promote its offerings to key audiences.
• Collaborate with regional and national networks to integrate data, engagement, and content strategies, support long-term workforce development planning, and contribute to the evaluation and reporting of program outcomes.
• Conduct basic research and gather data to identify workforce skill gaps and credentialing needs utilizing a variety of methods.
• Maintain comprehensive databases of stakeholders, programs, and workforce initiatives; analyzing and reporting on trends and insights to inform program and policy decisions.
• Apply workforce insights to support the development and enhancement of CES curricula, tools, and professional development resources.
• Provide technical assistance and support to mini-grant awardees; monitor grant progress, and assist in documenting results and lessons learned.

As Coordinator liaising with 1994 institutions, the incumbent will work collaboratively with the other Coordinator liaison to:

• Plan and implement national and regional outreach efforts, including mini-grant administration, curriculum development, and workforce training initiatives that address core strategic needs.
• Build relationships with learners, earners, employers, intermediaries, agencies, and other partners in the 1994 region to assess workforce needs and guide program development.
• Identify, document, and share impactful adult workforce development programs and practices through the AgriProspects Marketplace and broader Extension network.
• Create and provide training opportunities for Extension educators and staff aligned with regional and national workforce priorities.
• Use creative strategies to grow the 1994 AgriProspects network and ensure responsive engagement across all stakeholder groups.
• Participate in internal committees and working groups to support AgriProspects’s goals and collaboration across the broader initiative.

Required Skills and Competencies

The incumbent for the Coordinator Position should demonstrate the following skills and competencies:

• Be a self-starter and self-learner with a proactive, problem-solving mindset and ability to adapt to evolving priorities with minimal guidance and supervision.
• Possess strong communication skills, including writing, presenting, and supporting internal and external collaboration.
• Have experience coordinating and supporting complex, multi-stream projects with attention to detail across all streams.
• Demonstrate ability to manage timelines, track deliverables, support work plan execution, and respond to requests and inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, meeting coordination, and maintaining accurate records of engagements.
• Be familiar with grant-funded project administration and program monitoring.
• Have the ability to synthesize data from reports, surveys, program activities, and other sources to inform decision-making.
• Have experience developing and delivering outreach and educational content, including but not limited to newsletters, toolkits, and presentations.
• Be proficient with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and virtual collaboration platforms (e.g., Zoom, Slack, Teams).
• Be comfortable using digital communication tools (e.g., Connect Extension, social media) to support program visibility.

Skill and Competency Attainment Requirements

As a workforce development program, we understand skills and competencies are developed through a variety of pathways. We welcome applicants whose backgrounds – whether professional, educational, or a blend of both – reflect aptitude, attitude, and accomplishment in the duties, skills, and competencies described above. Candidates with substantial relevant professional experience and/or a combination of education, certifications, and credentials demonstrating skills and knowledge comparable to or exceeding a Master’s degree are encouraged to apply.

Location, Work, and Physical Requirements

The Extension Foundation is a virtual workplace. All positions are remote. The Coordinator is responsible for establishing their own work locations adequate to performing their positions in accordance with their home institution’s requirements.

Remote work requirements include:

• A personal computer capable of running the current version of Windows or macOS, and able to run Zoom.
• Apps: Microsoft Office 2024 or Microsoft 365 desktop applications (or similar). Access to Google G Suite and Slack will be provided.
• Connectivity: Broadband internet connection able to support 480p live video/480P (or better) webcam.

Other physical requirements include the ability to sit for long periods and occasional travel.

This is a three (3) year commitment through August 31, 2028, with up to $50,000 available per year (prorated the first year). Funds can be used by the recipient to support the portion of an FTE commensurate with the incumbent’s current rate of salary and benefits. The contract will be extended to Years 4 and Years 5 pending adequate annual yearly delivery of required work products and timely submission of reports and invoices. Funding is allocated by year and will not roll over.

The scope of work for this position may be revised in response to the expertise and makeup of the applicant pool, ensuring workload and resources are distributed fairly and program objectives are met.