Educational Program Assistant 2 Food Systems Communications & Outreach Assistant
Inside Higher Ed, Storrs, CT, United States
Job Summary
UConn Extension, a part of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, seeks a part-time (75%) Communication and Outreach Assistant (Educational Program Assistant 2) to support our food system projects and programs. The role will support initiatives such as the Solid Ground Beginning Farmer Training Program, Farm to School, Climate Smart Adaptation Project, Grown ConneCTed marketing campaign, and future sustainable food systems projects. The incumbent will perform communication and programmatic support for Extension outreach and education aimed at food system stakeholders statewide, primarily based out of the Tolland County Extension Center.
Duties and Responsibilities
Perform communication tasks using web pages, electronic communications, multimedia technologies, social media, and emerging technologies to disseminate information to stakeholders.
Create flyers, posters, banners, table runners for outreach and conference presentations.
Provide event coordination support at in-person educational events through tabling, registration check‑in, signage, filming, and photography statewide.
Design and procure educational materials and promotional items following university procurement protocols.
Ensure compliance of all distributed materials with ADA requirements for print and digital media, collaborating with university experts as necessary.
Coordinate the translation of materials.
Conduct in‑person visits with program stakeholders, including beginning farmers, to document activities (photo/video).
Collaborate with state agency partners and service providers in food and agriculture in Connecticut and the Northeast.
Participate in weekly project team meetings (up to 3 hours per week) to plan Extension outreach programs for new growers.
Distribute notices and updates to beginning farmers using the Solid Ground Farmer Trainings‑L listserv and support development, layout, and content creation for the program’s monthly newsletter.
Generate articles for UConn publications, including Crop Talk and UConn Today, and share programmatic news digitally through the UConn‑CAHNR Faculty/Staff Weekly Digest and the UConn Daily Digest.
Coordinate with UConn‑CAHNR communications staff to align messaging, meet brand protocols, respond to inquiries from media and stakeholders, and assist with articles for print or digital media as needed.
Identify needs for training and educational resources and support implementation of program evaluation to measure outreach performance.
Create a welcoming and inclusive workplace culture, ensuring all communications and materials produced are accessible, clear, and inclusive.
Perform related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 3 years of experience in agriculture, communications, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Demonstrated experience and skill in communication tasks, including website development and management, design and layout of flyers and newsletters, engaging audiences using social media, creating presentation templates using PowerPoint and Canva, and distributing e‑newsletters.
Experience with event promotion to diverse audiences and meeting registration goals using a variety of outreach strategies.
Demonstrated experience in consistent management of brands, logos, and program identities.
Demonstrated photography and video skills, including editing.
Experience navigating institutional procurement systems to purchase print materials and promotional items.
Demonstrated experience with appropriate use of AI for writing, editing, visual content, web content, and social media management.
Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Experience in agriculture operations and/or food system projects.
Experience coordinating or assisting on video projects with professional production firms.
Experience with storyboarding, animated educational videos, or other techniques to engage audiences in learning.
Experience meeting ADA compliance in communication materials.
Familiarity with food and agriculture service providers in Connecticut.
Leadership training or experience in food systems in Connecticut or the Northeast region.
Appointment Terms
This is a part-time (75%) durational position, twelve-month, UCPEA staff position. Weekly hours will be 26.25 hours, primarily located at the Tolland County Extension Center in Vernon, CT, with occasional in‑state travel. Salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience. The position includes a full benefits package.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment criminal background check. The candidate must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to an insured vehicle for travel to outreach events. The role requires the ability to lift up to 15 pounds.
EEO Statement
All employees are required to adhere to the State Code of Ethics. All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to contribute to an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment. The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
UConn Extension, a part of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, seeks a part-time (75%) Communication and Outreach Assistant (Educational Program Assistant 2) to support our food system projects and programs. The role will support initiatives such as the Solid Ground Beginning Farmer Training Program, Farm to School, Climate Smart Adaptation Project, Grown ConneCTed marketing campaign, and future sustainable food systems projects. The incumbent will perform communication and programmatic support for Extension outreach and education aimed at food system stakeholders statewide, primarily based out of the Tolland County Extension Center.
Duties and Responsibilities
Perform communication tasks using web pages, electronic communications, multimedia technologies, social media, and emerging technologies to disseminate information to stakeholders.
Create flyers, posters, banners, table runners for outreach and conference presentations.
Provide event coordination support at in-person educational events through tabling, registration check‑in, signage, filming, and photography statewide.
Design and procure educational materials and promotional items following university procurement protocols.
Ensure compliance of all distributed materials with ADA requirements for print and digital media, collaborating with university experts as necessary.
Coordinate the translation of materials.
Conduct in‑person visits with program stakeholders, including beginning farmers, to document activities (photo/video).
Collaborate with state agency partners and service providers in food and agriculture in Connecticut and the Northeast.
Participate in weekly project team meetings (up to 3 hours per week) to plan Extension outreach programs for new growers.
Distribute notices and updates to beginning farmers using the Solid Ground Farmer Trainings‑L listserv and support development, layout, and content creation for the program’s monthly newsletter.
Generate articles for UConn publications, including Crop Talk and UConn Today, and share programmatic news digitally through the UConn‑CAHNR Faculty/Staff Weekly Digest and the UConn Daily Digest.
Coordinate with UConn‑CAHNR communications staff to align messaging, meet brand protocols, respond to inquiries from media and stakeholders, and assist with articles for print or digital media as needed.
Identify needs for training and educational resources and support implementation of program evaluation to measure outreach performance.
Create a welcoming and inclusive workplace culture, ensuring all communications and materials produced are accessible, clear, and inclusive.
Perform related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 3 years of experience in agriculture, communications, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Demonstrated experience and skill in communication tasks, including website development and management, design and layout of flyers and newsletters, engaging audiences using social media, creating presentation templates using PowerPoint and Canva, and distributing e‑newsletters.
Experience with event promotion to diverse audiences and meeting registration goals using a variety of outreach strategies.
Demonstrated experience in consistent management of brands, logos, and program identities.
Demonstrated photography and video skills, including editing.
Experience navigating institutional procurement systems to purchase print materials and promotional items.
Demonstrated experience with appropriate use of AI for writing, editing, visual content, web content, and social media management.
Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Experience in agriculture operations and/or food system projects.
Experience coordinating or assisting on video projects with professional production firms.
Experience with storyboarding, animated educational videos, or other techniques to engage audiences in learning.
Experience meeting ADA compliance in communication materials.
Familiarity with food and agriculture service providers in Connecticut.
Leadership training or experience in food systems in Connecticut or the Northeast region.
Appointment Terms
This is a part-time (75%) durational position, twelve-month, UCPEA staff position. Weekly hours will be 26.25 hours, primarily located at the Tolland County Extension Center in Vernon, CT, with occasional in‑state travel. Salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience. The position includes a full benefits package.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment criminal background check. The candidate must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to an insured vehicle for travel to outreach events. The role requires the ability to lift up to 15 pounds.
EEO Statement
All employees are required to adhere to the State Code of Ethics. All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to contribute to an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment. The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
#J-18808-Ljbffr