Job Description

NOTE: This application requires both a resume and a cover letter. Please upload both with your application to be considered.

AgVOLs is a USDA NIFA grant-funded partnership between Appalachian RC&D Council, TN AgrAbility, and UT Center for Farm Management. The mission of AgVOLs is to provide support through educational programs and internships to transitioning service members and Veterans who are pursuing a career in agriculture. The main goal and drive for the AgVOLS position is to make sure Veterans and active-duty service members have access to the training, education and funding resources needed for their current or potentially future agricultural operations. With this position you will be assisting Veterans and active-duty servicemen to reach their farm business goals and gain access to the education and skills training they need. The ideal candidate for this position is someone who has both a military and an agricultural background who lives in the vicinity of Clarksville, TN.

The AgVOLs Program Coordinator Job Duties:

Connect Veterans to Educational Opportunities:

Serve as the key point of contact for Veterans and active-duty servicemen who can benefit from the AgVOLs program.
Monitor an intake/interest form and connect participants to educational opportunities, intern/mentor farms, and other Veteran and agricultural programs currently available.
Connect Veterans to agricultural opportunities within the AgVOLs program such as intern/mentor opportunities, educational classes, workshops, farm tours, and conferences
Connect Veterans to agricultural opportunities outside of the program, such as technical assistance and cost-share programs provided by USDA, TN Dept. Of Agriculture, Farmer Veteran Coalition, etc.
Stay up to date on agricultural opportunities available to veterans and beginning farmers
Liaison between AgVOLs and Farmer Veteran Coalition of Tennessee and other State Veteran groups.
Attend monthly Farmer Veteran Coalition of Tennessee meetings, annual conferences and advisory meetings.

Support the On-Farm Mentorship Program:

Assist program staff with identifying, screening, and recruiting farms interested in becoming a host site for Veteran interns and assist with the onboarding, training, and data collection processes.
Be in charge of building and maintaining a relationship and productive line of communication with the Career Skills Program (CSP) at Ft. Campbell, including attending monthly CSP meetings at the Clarksville, TN base.
Assist program staff with building partnerships with other CSPs or Department of Labor/Skills Bridge programs across the state to expand the farm intern program, modeling the design currently at Ft. Campbell where transitioning military personnel can intern on a farm for 8 weeks before their release date from the military.

Assist with Event Logistics

Assist project staff with organizing and facilitating workshops and educational opportunities for Veterans across the state, including networking events, workshops, and farm tours.
Assist project staff with tabling at conferences and events to do outreach with veterans to inform them of available opportunities and support.

Program Administration:

Assist with the logistics of implementing the AgVols program, including keeping up with key contacts such as participants, intern/mentor farms, agricultural commodity groups, key industry leaders, Veteran groups and military base contacts.
Maintain participant records and follow up with program participants to get feedback and collect data through surveys and interviews for project reporting and evaluation.

Position Information:

Position Type: Independent Contractor

Minimum Qualifications: Requires technical knowledge of agricultural production and farm business management. Can demonstrate that this was acquired through direct farm business ownership or management or experience gained through an apprenticeship, a 2-year or 4-year degree, or professional certificate.

Preferred Qualifications: Military veteran or military spouse with agricultural experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and/or Competencies Needed:

An interest in helping veterans who are interested in entering an agricultural field
Experience working with members of rural communities (e.g., farmers and farm families)
Proficient with Zoom, Microsoft Office products, and Google Drive products
Experience with record keeping, data collection, evaluation, and reporting preferred
Established connections to veteran organizations in the state strongly preferred
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities/tasks simultaneously.
Ability to be highly organized and focused.

This position will be an independent contractor position for approximately 36 months through Appalachian RC&D Council. The contract will start at $35 per hour for 15-20 hours per week with a 5% COL adjustment in years 2 and 3. The contractor will be expected to perform approximately 15-20 hours per week of work on project activities, with flexibility week to week as needed for special events and other circumstances. There will be scheduled monthly online AgVOLs team meetings, monthly in-person CSP meetings at Ft. Campbell, and periodic scheduled in-person events that the contractor must attend across the state. Otherwise, the job duties can be performed remotely and on a schedule that the contractor sets themselves. Ideally, the contractor will be located near the Clarksville, TN area, where the Ft. Campbell base is located. Travel costs incurred by the contractor for project activities will be reimbursed through the grant but documentation will be required. Continuation of the contract year to year is contingent on performance and the availability of grant funding. There are no employer benefits provided with this contract.

To apply please submit your resume and a cover letter through Indeed.

The Appalachian RC&D Council is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity employment. Appalachian RC&D Council does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, or marital status. This policy applies to hiring, internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, and terminations and applies to all Appalachian RC&D employees, volunteers, members, clients, and contractors.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: From $35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15 – 20 per week

Benefits: