Southwest RSDP Assistant Project Coordinator

Title: Southwest RSDP Assistant Project Coordinator: Sustainable Ag and Food Systems Focus

Appointment: Full-time, Community Program Assistant (Job 4912), AFSCME Technical represented

Office Location: Morris Extension Regional Office, with travel in and around the Southwest Minnesota region, and occasional statewide travel, and some hybrid work options

Pay Range: $25 - $29 per hour; depending on qualifications

Apply By: March 14, 2025

ABOUT THE POSITION

This position provides project coordination for both Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (RSDP) projects and the statewide Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems portfolio. This person will provide support for multiple community-driven projects, including working with partners, providing resources, handling meetings, documenting progress, and completing other activities to help project teams achieve goals. This position will also provide support for one or more work groups in the regional focus areas of natural resources, sustainable agriculture and food systems, clean energy, and resilient communities. The position reports to the Southwest RSDP Executive Director and will be a member of the RSDP Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems teams working on a robust portfolio of projects with statewide impacts, such as Deep Winter Greenhouses, Rural Grocery Stores and Organic Agriculture.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community-driven project coordination (50%)

• Partner with community-based project leaders and University-based team members to develop and manage work plans, agendas and timelines to sustain progress and momentum.
• Maintain communication with project teams, including planning and facilitating meetings and tracking action steps.
• Provide project partners with effective resources
• Advise students in their roles on project teams. Provide guidance and feedback on materials developed by students or other team members
• Complete other tasks as needed to fulfill project objectives
• Provide regular progress updates to Southwest RSDP executive director, board members, and work group members
• Support the Southwest RSDP executive director in monitoring project budgets

Work group coordination (10%)

• Help to plan and organize focus area work group activities and meetings
• Support RSDP project idea and proposal review processes
• Manage work group membership and recruit new work group members

Sustainable agriculture and food systems support (35%)

• Work with the team to develop and manage work plans, agendas and timelines to sustain progress and momentum for designated projects
• Maintain communication with project teams and other stakeholders, including planning and facilitating meetings and tracking action steps
• Complete other tasks as needed to fulfill project deliverables
• Support the RSDP sustainable ag and food systems director in monitoring project budgets

Assist with other RSDP tasks as requested (5%)

• Participate in regional and statewide RSDP team meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• A combination of related education and experience to total 4 years
• Knowledge and work experience in /of one or more of RSDP's sustainable development focus areas: natural resources, sustainable agriculture and food systems, clean energy, and resilient communities.
• Knowledge in one or more of the following: organic production and transition, Deep Winter Greenhouses, farm to institution, and rural grocery stores.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and communicate with teams, both in person and virtual
• Experience applying project management skills and tools, and developing work plans, timelines, and tasks for multiple team members
• Knowledge of Southwest Minnesota communities, and experience working in rural communities
• Demonstrated ability to complete tasks independently and on time with limited supervision
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain productive professional relationships
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access
• Experience with both Microsoft and Google Suite applications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience planning, facilitating, and managing collaborative decision-making processes
• Experience with community-engaged research and scholarship
• Experience working with undergraduates, graduate students, interns and/or faculty
• Some experience managing project-level budgets

Additional Requirements:

• Must have reliable internet if/when working at remote location.
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile number at the employee's own expense, and shared with project partners.
• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance.
• Ability to travel to in-person obligations within the Southwest region, and be exposed to various meeting environments with uneven surfaces, steps, different temperatures, and weather conditions.
• Attendance at occasional evening or weekend meetings/events, and occasional overnight travel. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening and weekend work.
• Must be able to work on computer for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be able to occasionally push, pull, lift, carry items up to 20 pounds, such as meeting supplies, and rolling crate with projector.

ABOUT EXTENSION

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement. Find further information on the Extension website.

Pay Range: $25 - $29 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please note: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. Please attach the following required application materials:

• Cover letter
• Resume - Your resume must include all your education and experience as it relates to the required qualifications. The initial HR screening process focuses primarily on the resume.

Names and contact information for three professional references will be required during the interview process.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full application instructions.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

For questions about this position contact:

Anne Dybsetter, Executive Director, Southwest, RSDP, adybsett@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.