UConn Extension at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is seeking a Project Specialist to assist with implementation of the Expanding Connecticut Urban Agriculture through Vacant Lot Activation and Peri-Urban Farmland Access Linking project.
Title: Project Specialist
UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
Department of Extension
Location: 67 Stony Hill Rd., Bethel, CT 06801
Commitment: 20 hours per week.
UConn Extension at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is seeking
A Project Specialist to assist with implementation of the Expanding Connecticut Urban Agriculture through Vacant Lot Activation and Peri-Urban Farmland Access Linking project.
Project Overview: The University of Connecticut Extension in collaboration with several partners will research, design, and implement a process to connect existing and aspiring urban farmers with underutilized lands so that they can launch and/or expand their farming business. The objectives of the project are to: 1) conduct research into the land-related needs of urban farmers and identify the characteristics of vacant urban and peri-urban lots that will make them suitable for agricultural use in collaboration with urban farmers, community organizations, and Councils of Government (COGs); 2) utilize the research results to identify potential farm parcels through geospatial analysis and community input in select municipalities and land trust organizations; 3) identify additional parcels on state managed public lands that meet the research criteria in the targeted region; 4) provide training to urban and peri-urban land use officials on best practices for farmland leasing and associated zoning policies; and 5) connect urban farmers with identified land opportunities and assist with securing an agriculture-friendly farm lease
Responsibilities: The project specialist will be responsible for project management and coordination of project collaborators, community outreach and will assist with data collection and aggregation.
Supervision: The position would report to Jacqueline Kowalski who directs several public outreach and education programs in the field of urban agriculture.
Compensation – $27/hour. Timesheets are submitted every two weeks. This is a temporary,
project-based position without benefits. Renewal of position is based on need and performance. Funding is currently in place for 4 project years. This position is funded by a grant from USDA-NIFA.
Required Qualifications:
· BS or BA in urban planning, conservation planning, environmental studies or related field
· Familiarity with land use decision making in Connecticut and New England
· Familiarity with urban agriculture and food systems issues
· Past work demonstrates high degree of reliability and excellent organization skills
· Past work demonstrates ability to work independently and as part of a team
· Experience organizing events – including scheduling speakers/trainers, arranging for refreshments, managing attendee list, conducting post-evaluation, and follow up
· Experience in public speaking, presenting, speaking in front of diverse audiences
· Demonstrates commitment to racial equity through continuous development and modeling inclusive behaviors and proactively managing one’s bias
· Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, empathize, and collaborate in teams and work toward shared goals
· Comfortable and proficient with digital platforms (Zoom and Microsoft Office Suite)
· Comfortable taking photography and video for communication needs
· Willing and able to commute to UConn Fairfield Extension Center and within target region for meetings
Preferred qualifications:
· Bilingual Spanish a plus
· Competency with Canva, Adobe Illustrator and/or Qualtrics
· Strong photography skills
· Experience in urban agriculture systems
· Familiar with various farm business models and enterprises
· Demonstrates awareness of the history of racial discrimination in agriculture
· Demonstrates understanding of the urgency for land tenure for urban farmers and of conservation of natural resources, including maintaining soil health and responding to climate impacts on urban farm operation.
· Demonstrates understanding of different dimensions of farming in urban and suburban communities.
To Apply:
Send a resume and cover letter to jacqueline.kowalski@uconn,edu by January 31, 2025, 5:00 pm. In the subject line of your email, please use: APPLICANT FOR VLA PROJECT SPECIALIST