Program Associate – Food Safety Extension Education

About the role

The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service seeks a Program Associate to deliver statewide food safety education, outreach, and technical assistance. The role supports programs related to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, small and emerging food businesses, and local food systems.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, promote, and deliver FSMA Produce Safety Rule trainings, workshops, webinars, and conferences.
• Develop and deliver food safety education and technical assistance for farmers, food entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance on food safety practices, regulations, GMPs, HACCP, sanitation, labeling, and food safety plans.
• Create curricula, presentations, fact sheets, guides, and digital resources translating scientific and regulatory information into actionable guidance.
• Collaborate with county agents, faculty, regulatory agencies, industry, and community organizations to expand programming.
• Coordinate project activities, timelines, communications, data collection, evaluation, reporting, and grant documentation.
• Support outreach through presentations, conferences, websites, and social media, and travel throughout Arkansas as needed.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (food science, public health, horticulture, etc.) with three years of professional experience, or a related Master’s degree.
• Experience in food safety extension education, outreach, or technical assistance.
• Knowledge of the FDA FSMA Produce Safety Rule and related certification preferred.
• Experience developing adult education, workshops, webinars, or professional training.

Required skills

• FSMA Produce Safety Rule implementation
• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audit education
• GMP, HACCP, and food safety plan development
• Curriculum and instructional material creation
• Project coordination and grant documentation