Emerging Issues Specialist - Limited Service

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:
Create Alert

Final date to receive applications Date: 10/11/2026

Department:
Agriculture, Food & Markets Agency

Location:

Williston, VT, US

Position Type:
Limited Service

Schedule Type:
Full Time

Minimum Salary: $31.54

Maximum Salary: $49.45

Are you passionate about supporting multiple aspects of Vermont food and agriculture? Do you want to assist farmers and foresters recover from climate-related losses and prepare for the future? Do you thrive within a dynamic team that is helping the produce industry reach new markets and become more resilient?

The Agriculture Development Division seeks a skilled professional to serve as Emerging Issues Specialist. This position will split their time between two main programs:
1) supporting a federal grant that provides funding to farmers and foresters that had weather-related losses and
2) supporting the specialty crop industry, primarily focusing on produce industry expertise. The position will also support key emerging needs that will bolster a diverse and thriving agricultural landscape.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support a team that administers the Vermont Agriculture and Timber Disaster Assistance program. This position will engage in education and outreach, respond to applicant inquiries, engage in site visit verification, and support the strategic direction of the multi-year grant program.
• Serve as produce industry specialist. This position will liaison with internal regulatory partners and external industry experts to keep a pulse on the produce industry's needs. Serving as subject matter expert, they will help guide statewide strategies for the produce industry.
• Manage annual projects that support the specialty crop industry. Self-directed projects will be on a 1-3 year cycle and could include scopes such as increasing access to wholesale markets or increasing participation in food safety certifications. This position will be responsible for managing federal project budgets and crafting project scopes.
• Support emerging issues that are critical to a thriving, diverse food system. Examples include education around Accessory On-Farm Business policy or administering statewide surveys for climate related events.

The Ideal Candidate

• Thinks holistically, responds creatively to emergent needs, and manages complex projects
• Thrives on meaningful collaboration with both internal and external partners
• Communicates clearly, especially with farmers and foresters
• Brings expertise of the produce industry, whether in production, processing, wholesale, retail, and/or the supply chain
• Holds food safety certifications or is excited to take these trainings
• Has a familiarity with Vermont's food and agriculture systems and service provider networks
• Has a familiarity with budgeting, federal funds, and/or statewide granting programs

This position,
Emerging Issues Specialist
- Limited Service (Job Requisition #55809), is open to all State employees and external applicants. It is a Limited Service position, which is non-tenured and authorized for a specific period of time. Limited Service positions are established for specially funded projects or programs. This position is expected to be funded through June of 2028.

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

Duties are performed in a variety of settings, including open floorplan office, producer and market sites, and public events, project sites and potential hearing and legislative settings. Frequent in-state, regional, and out-of-state travel is involved, for which private reliable means of transportation must be available. Frequent public communication and presentations, both verbally and in writing, is expected. An incumbent must coordinate activities with other departmental staff, the Secretary of the Agency and Deputy Secretary, and interact considerably with agricultural and land development business people, interest groups and the general public.

Certain required activities will occur outside of normal office hours.

Five (5) years or more of combined education and experience in agriculture, environmental conservation, marketing, economics, communications, business administration, non-profit management, land use planning, or another relevant field, including one (1) year of program coordination experience.

OR

At least one (1) years of experience as an Agriculture…