Program Associate - Food Safety Extension Education
No salary listed
Mid
Bachelor's, Master's
Little Rock, AR, USA
In PersonTravel throughout Arkansas and occasionally out of state is required.
TrainingCorporate & Technical Training
No H1B Sponsorship
About the job
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in a relevant field and three years of relevant professional experience, or a related master's degree, is required.
- Relevant fields include food science, food safety, public health, family and consumer sciences, agricultural education, horticulture, crop science, soil science, environmental science, food systems, rural or community development, or related disciplines.
- Strong written, oral, interpersonal, instructional, and presentation skills are required.
- Ability to communicate complex scientific and regulatory information to diverse audiences is required.
- Strong adult education, facilitation, curriculum development, and technical assistance skills are required.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and time-management abilities are required.
- Ability to exercise initiative, solve problems, manage multiple priorities, and work independently is required.
- Ability to build effective relationships with clientele, colleagues, agencies, and community partners is required.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, virtual meeting platforms, and data management systems is required.
- Ability to collect, manage, and evaluate program data is required.
- A valid driver's license and ability to travel extensively throughout Arkansas are required.
- Ability to work effectively in office, educational, and field settings is required.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects, programs, or significant areas of responsibility is required.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences is required.
- Candidates must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.
Responsibilities
- Plan, coordinate, promote, and deliver FSMA Produce Safety Rule Grower Trainings, food safety workshops, webinars, conferences, and other Extension programs.
- Develop and deliver food safety Extension education and technical assistance for farmers, food businesses, Extension personnel, and community stakeholders, including home-based, cottage food, small-scale, and emerging food businesses.
- Provide technical assistance related to food safety practices, regulations, food handling, sanitation, processing, labeling, and food safety systems, including GMPs, HACCP, and food safety plans.
- Develop practical, audience-focused curricula, presentations, fact sheets, guides, digital resources, and other educational materials that translate scientific and regulatory information into actionable guidance.
- Collaborate with county Extension agents, faculty, regulatory agencies, industry, community organizations, and other partners to identify needs and expand food safety programming throughout Arkansas.
- Coordinate project activities, timelines, communications, deliverables, participant recruitment, data collection, evaluation, reporting, and grant documentation.
- Support program outreach through presentations, conferences, professional communications, websites, social media, and other appropriate channels.
- Maintain current knowledge of food safety regulations, Extension education methods, food processing, and emerging food safety issues.
- Represent the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service at professional meetings, trainings, conferences, and other events.
- Travel throughout Arkansas and occasionally out of state for training, technical assistance, meetings, and other program activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of Food Safety and Food Systems Extension programming.
- Translate food safety science, regulations, and best practices into practical, accessible education and technical assistance to help clientele understand requirements, implement appropriate practices, and identify resources for safe food production and business development.
- Work with clientele including farmers, food entrepreneurs, home-based and cottage food businesses, small food manufacturers, community organizations, county extension agents, and other food system stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively with Extension faculty, county agents, state and federal agencies, regulatory partners, industry, and community organizations to identify food safety education needs and develop effective programming.
- Assist with program evaluation, grant activities, outreach, curriculum development, and project coordination.
- As appropriate to the position and available funding, provide education and technical assistance to home-based, cottage food, small-scale, and emerging food businesses concerning food safety practices, regulatory requirements, product development, processing, labeling, sanitation, and transitioning to commercial food manufacturing.
- Support Good Agricultural Practices audit education and technical assistance as applicable.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience in food safety Extension education, outreach, or technical assistance is preferred.
- FDA FSMA Produce Safety Rule Trainer certification or demonstrated knowledge and experience with the Produce Safety Rule is preferred.
- Experience developing and delivering adult education, workforce training, workshops, webinars, or professional education is preferred.
- Experience with GMPs, HACCP, sanitation, food safety plans, or other food safety management systems is preferred.
- Experience developing food safety curricula, training materials, presentations, digital learning resources, or other educational content is preferred.
- Experience translating scientific, technical, or regulatory information into accessible educational materials is preferred.
- Experience providing individual or group technical assistance to food businesses, producers, community organizations, or other clientele is preferred.
- Experience working with Cooperative Extension, universities, public health or regulatory agencies, food industry, government, or community-based organizations is preferred.
- Experience with program or project coordination, grant management or writing, and program evaluation is preferred.
- Experience with professional presentations, publications, conferences, websites, social media, or other educational communications is preferred.
- Knowledge of home-based and cottage food production, small and emerging food businesses, food processing, value-added production, or local and regional food systems is preferred.
- Experience with GAP/GHP/GMP or other food safety audit and certification programs is preferred.
- A master's degree in food science, food safety, public health, family and consumer sciences, agricultural education, food systems, or another closely related field is preferred.
About the company
University of Arkansas is a public land-grant research university in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It provides undergraduate and graduate education, conducts research, and supports public-service and extension activity. Academic colleges, laboratories, student services, facilities, and administrative units make up the campus operating environment. Faculty, research, student-support, technical, trades, and professional roles support the institution. The profile is campus-specific while recognizing that the University of Arkansas System uses a shared official careers platform.
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Headquarters
Salt Lake City, Utah
Founded
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- September 2026 ARIES won $9 million federal backing for semiconductor innovation.
- July 2026 enrollment reached 17,769 Arkansans, supporting tuition, retention, and political goodwill.
- September 2026 campus strategy targets 80% graduation and 2,000 more graduate students.
What critics are saying
- Baptist v. Board of Trustees, filed April 2026, exposes discrimination and retaliation claims.
- Branch v. UALR, filed May 2026, threatens reputational damage and reinstatement liability.
- Management targets $500 million research by 2032; missed execution weakens funding, hiring, and prestige.
What makes University of Arkansas unique
- September 2026 launched ARIES to develop power electronics and semiconductors.
- FY25 research expenditures hit $252.9 million, up from $164 million four years earlier.
- 150 Forward Reaching Higher ties AI fluency, experiential learning, and graduate growth to state impact.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Employee Discounts
- 401(k) Company Match
- Life Insurance
- Professional Development Budget
- Training Programs