Ed Pro 3 - Community Based Education & Outreach

In addition to helping drive current projects described below, this position will provide general, flexible program support as needed that may involve assisting with project work plan development; identifying and establishing relationships and maintaining communications with key collaborators; coordinating project meetings (scheduling, designing agendas, facilitation and follow-up communications); compiling and synthesizing research; writing and editing; project reporting and documentation; supporting proposal development and grant writing; designing outreach materials (basic graphic design using existing templates); and leading external communications (social media, website, newsletters).

This integrated role is essential to Green Lands Blue Water's mission, helping to lead key projects, developing outreach and educational materials, and coordinating with strategic development and communications.

This is a temporary, 50% time appointment, with flexible scheduling in agreement with GLBW, located in St. Paul, MN. This hourly, Civil Service position will have an initial appointment period of 6 months with potential for 6 month renewal.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination and Partner Engagement (60%)

• Scholarly Publications Coordination
  • Serve as lead coordinator and primary contact for journal editorial and publication staff and potential guest editors, reviewers, and authors
  • Explore and identify host journal(s) and establish coordination relationships and roles
  • Develop and submit proposal(s) to host journal(s) for a special collection that focuses on continuous living cover markets, commercialization, value/supply chain development for a target audience market and practitioner partners and producers
  • Identify and communicate with potential editors and establish a guest editorial panel
  • Identify potential reviewers and inform them of the upcoming opportunity
  • Promote the opportunity to commercialization researchers, partners, and other potential authors
• Crop Outreach Coordination
  • Confirm crop focus, working with partners to identify two perennial crops with solid early market potential
  • Identify and collaborate with content experts to synthesize current research and draft crop snapshots, characterizing latest agronomic, environmental, breeding research, potential end uses, and early market interest
  • Identify reviewers and coordinate reviews
  • Edit, design, and finalize materials
  • Coordinate and host cross-sector outreach events with key stakeholders
  • Develop an online dashboard landing page for materials
  • Promote and disseminate materials through newsletters, social media, and listservs
• Flexible Grazing educational and training materials
  • Serve as lead staff responsible for final editorial review, design, and layout of materials and project outreach, promoting materials and sharing opportunities and announcements - in support of project managers and multiple collaborators developing a comprehensive suite of train the trainer materials on a range of flexible grazing topics, including fact sheets, field day demonstration guides, technical guides, and economic analyses

Educational Outreach, Partner Relations, and Communications (30%)

• Create and distribute bi-monthly digital newsletters with the input of other staff
• Create and post weekly content across on social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn) with the input of other staff and partners
• Maintain and update the GLBW website of resources and announcements (WordPress)
• Assist with developing and writing outreach materials in collaboration with other staff, researchers, and project partners, translating research findings and project outcomes for practitioner and public audiences
• Finalize design and layout of outreach and educational materials, using and tailoring existing templates (Google, Word, Adobe Acrobat for PDFs, Canva)
• Prepare communications, press releases, and partner relations materials for external audiences and internal project collaborators
• Assist with planning and facilitating GLBW project meetings and events, which could include identifying and helping secure venues, meal planning, and coordinating with caterers and audiovisual service providers
• Represent GLBW at partner meetings, including policy, research, and agricultural/natural resources committees

Administrative Support (10%)

• Coordinate with the Director and Associate Director and contribute, as assigned, to -
  • project activities, documentation, and reporting, and
  • proposal development and writing to build GLBW's funding base for ongoing and new projects
• Participate in monthly GLBW staff meetings
• Provide regular progress reports to GLBW staff and steering committee

Required Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in an agriculture-related field plus at least four years of relevant experience or, a combination of related education and experience to equal at least eight years.
• Experienced writer with ability to effectively communicate scientific, commercialization, and policy related topics and concepts to the public
• Experience producing communication deliverables for a variety of audiences
• Experience with multi-sector, multiple partner collaborative projects
• Experience managing and prioritizing multiple tasks and working both independently and as part of a team
• Familiarity with posting on Facebook and LinkedIn, using WordPress for websites, and using basic graphic design tools, such as Google, Word, Adobe Acrobat for PDFs, and Canva

Preferred Qualifications

• MS/MA degree in an agriculture-related field or equivalent work experience
• Research or project experience with perennial crops, continuous living cover production, and/or well-managed grazing systems
• Experience with higher education and research environments
• Familiarity with University of Minnesota policies and procedures

Green Lands Blue Waters (GLBW) is an unincorporated coalition that operates through the University of Minnesota and supports the development of and transition to multi-functional agricultural systems in the Upper Mississippi River Basin that integrate more perennial plants and other continuous living cover (CLC) into the agricultural landscape. We highlight models of positive agricultural transformation that can inspire and inform agricultural stakeholders and production practices across the nation. GLBW is a broad network of partners that includes universities, researchers, educators, producer associations, environmental groups, businesses, nonprofits, governmental agencies, technical assistance providers and other agricultural and natural resource practitioners.

Pay Range: $35.00 - $38.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 50% Appointment, Temporary (6 months)

Position Type: Civil-Service

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

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• 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

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

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

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

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.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).