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Position Title:Food Systems Program Specialist

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:Master’s degree or above.

Demonstrated experience in revenue generation, such as applying for and securing grants.

Experience designing and delivering workshops, webinars, or courses for varied audiences.

Demonstrated familiarity with food systems frameworks.

Experience working with or maintaining/updating searchable databases.

Job Description:

Are you excited by the idea of helping others secure funding and engage in meaningful food systems work? Are you energized by outreach and connecting with people who care about food, agriculture, and community development?

If so, the Food Systems team with Extension and Outreach at Iowa State University is seeking candidates for a Food Systems Program Specialist! This position will be classified as a Program Specialist III.

What You’ll Do:

+ Support outreach and coordination for the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center.

+ Develop strategies for awareness and training on Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG) and related food system topics.

+ Pursue external funding for food systems and workforce development.

+ Build and maintain relationships across Iowa and nationally.

+ Track and evaluate program outcomes and impact.

+ Create and deliver educational programs (in-person and virtual) on VAPG application best practices.

+ Develop tutorials for grant platforms (SAMS, grants.gov, etc.).

+ Maintain and enhance online resources including FAQs.

+ Host meeting hours to assist with VAPG applications.

+ Conduct research and update resources on resilient food systems.

+ Facilitate strategic planning sessions for resilient food systems development; including scenario table-top exercises, foresight focus groups, and additional mixed-methods research.

+ Support development of youth-focused workforce programs (e.g., Youth Local Food Leader).

+ Develop and maintain educational resource databases.

+ Represent Extension on local and national boards and committees.

This is a one year, fixed-term position with the opportunity for renewal.

Nationwide travel will be involved in this role.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

About Food Systems Team at Iowa State University:

Our Food Systems Team works in partnership with communities to develop thriving local and regional food systems in Iowa and throughout the United States.

Level Guidelines• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:December 7, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS809

Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans • Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) • Life insurance and long-term disability • Flexible Spending Accounts • Various voluntary benefits and discounts • Employee Assistance Program • Wellbeing program • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date: October 28, 2025

Posting Close Date:November 3, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18011

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.