Application will close on November 6, 2023 at 12pm ET.

Remote, with specific geographic location requirements. Fellows must live and have experience working in the geographic region(s) selected:

• Rio Grande – NM, TX
• Great Lakes – WI, IL, IN, MI
• Heartland – NE, KS, OK, MO, IA
• Delta – AR, LA, MS, AL
• Southeast – VA, NC, SC, GA, FL
• Islands – AK, HI, Guam, American Samoa, PR, VI, Mariana Islands

ABOUT THE POSITION

The FAS Talent Hub is seeking a cohort of fellows for a two-year term (with potential opportunity to extend an additional two years) to join the Local and Regional Foods Division team within the United States Department of Agriculture. The Fellows will support outreach and technical assistance related to local and regional food systems, with a focus on Regional Food Business Centers. Regional Outreach Coordinators will support the integration of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Programs in the field acting as a liaison between the Centers, USDA, and program beneficiaries.

The FAS Impact Fellowship includes a 90-day pre-service residency which will consist of intensive skill building sessions, virtual training on food systems topics such as economic development, and in-person team building opportunities. At the conclusion of the 90-day residency, fellows will join the Agricultural Marketing Service. The 90-day residency along with the AMS assignment are remote with opportunities to travel.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

• Contributes to local and regional food systems projects to enhance small- and mid-size food businesses and agricultural marketing strategies.
• Collaborates with stakeholders such as producer associations, trade groups, brokers, and governments to support local and regional food systems development.
• Provides technical assistance and training to producers, food enterprises, and stakeholders on a regional level.
• Explains program requirements, food systems concepts, and marketing principles clearly and concisely.
• Reports on key insights regarding opportunities and challenges to local and regional food systems and markets as well as provides recommendations for actions related to those opportunities and challenges.

Outreach and Communication

• Supports the development of local capacities related to successfully identifying, leveraging, and administering community and economic development resources that are available through various organizations, both federal and non-federal.
• Builds relationships and fosters connections with stakeholders across federal, state, and local organizations involved in supply chain resilience.
• Serves as a technical expert on USDA Programs.

Cooperative Agreement Management

• Serves as the main contact and oversees cooperative agreement activities.
• Acts as a liaison between the Government and the cooperator, resolving issues and providing training, assistance, and oversight.
• Monitors recipient performance and compliance, ensuring alignment with established measures.
• Follows Equal Employment and Civil Rights policies and promotes unbiased and respectful communication.
• Performs additional assigned duties.

YOUR BACKGROUND AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated specific knowledge of local food marketing channels and their relative importance within the U.S. agricultural supply chain, with a specific emphasis on the region you are applying to serve.
• Experience providing training and technical assistance to diverse groups of stakeholders aimed at improving the performance of local food systems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with a variety of organizations and federal government agencies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of administrative laws, policies, and regulations related to federal financial assistance, local and regional food, and marketing principles for oversight, training, technical assistance, and capacity building support.
• Proficient in using computer software packages for data management and analysis.
• Exhibits strong written, oral, and visual communication skills, including the ability to draft instructions, present program requirements, provide training, and resolve issues.
• Demonstrates judgment in interpreting guidelines and developing new approaches
• Capable of managing projects and tracking their progress.

SALARY

The Fellowship will provide a stipend for the entirety of the fellowship duration at an annual rate of $122,000 per year. Additional information about the Fellowship can be found in our FAQ.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION

Work is sedentary and typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office requiring no special safety precautions. Frequent travel within the assigned region and occasional travel to national events is expected.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens in order to meet the requirements for obtaining a government security clearance.

Must be able to start with FAS on February 12, 2024.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit your interest here. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Early submission will ensure your application receives full consideration.

ABOUT IMPACT FELLOWSHIPS

The FAS Impact Fellowship is a selective fellowship program that supports the development and placement of emerging scientific and technical talent within high-impact roles across the federal government. From education to clean energy, immigration, wildfire resilience, food systems, national security, and fair housing, Impact Fellows are serving across a variety of federal agencies in roles that augment existing government teams as they confront some of the greatest scientific and social challenges of our time.