Job Title:

Cooperative Development Program Specialist

Department:

FAES | South Centers Piketon

The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Center for Cooperatives seeks a collaborative, organized, and goal-oriented individual to serve as a cooperative development specialist and to contribute to the applied research, teaching, and Extension functions of the Center.

The specialist will provide technical assistance and training for new, emerging, and existing cooperative and rural businesses in areas such as cooperative formation, cooperative governance, business planning, finance, human resources, and marketing. The specialist will create, deploy, and promote new and revised technical assistance resources, such as workshops, manuals, training aids, and publications in written, audio, visual, and web-based formats. The specialist will assist with project intake, client data collection and maintenance, and collection and reporting of impacts for technical assistance projects.

The specialist will develop and teach educational programming through a variety of methods and media, including coordinating in-person and online workshops and conferences in areas such as cooperative and business development to inform development professionals, prospective and current cooperative members, and new and experienced cooperative leaders. The specialist will support signature programs such as the Appalachia Cooperates Initiative, youth cooperative programming, and other areas, which may include developing and organizing educational events, educator coordination and communication, event promotion, and other activities.

The specialist will prepare articles, proposals, reports, and educational materials related to the Center’s work. The specialist will collect and evaluate information about program reach, impact, and participant information, and help ensure compliance with university policies. The specialist will help communicate the Center’s work to a network of stakeholders internal and external to the University.

The specialist will perform duties in close collaboration with the Center’s staff as well as various partner units within and external to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, including the Center’s stakeholder advisory committee, the Mid America Cooperative Council board of directors, and rural community and economic development organizations.

Requires successful completion of a background check. Position is based in Piketon, OH, with potential flexibility for hybrid remote work. This position will include travel and may include some occasional evening and weekend work as well as overnight travel.

Required Experience – Master’s degree in business, education, communication, leadership, agriculture, social sciences, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience; excellent verbal, written and electronic communication skills; demonstrated coordination skills; demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team; willingness to work with diverse audiences; experience with program development and organization; experience with digital communication tools such as email tools, social media, and Zoom; organized and able to work independently.

Desired Experience – Demonstrated problem-solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated success providing education, training, and technical assistance to businesses. Experience with grant proposal development and grant administration. 

Salary range: $46,100 – $50,000

40% – Technical Assistance
Provide technical assistance to new, emerging, and existing businesses with a special focus on rural and Appalachian communities. Facilitate groups in the development of their vision, mission, and business plans and complete feasibility studies, marketing plans, and business plans for cooperatives and other businesses. Provide technical assistance to groups through all phases of cooperative development. Collect and report impacts of technical assistance projects. Create, deploy, and promote new and revised technical assistance resources, such as workshops, manuals, training aids, and publications in various formats.

40% – Teaching and Education
Prepare and deliver educational programming for individuals, cooperatives, associations, and businesses to teach the cooperative business model, business development, governance, and leadership through a variety of methods and media. Plan, organize and direct workshops, seminars, short courses and counseling to train prospective and current cooperative entrepreneurs as well as new and experienced cooperative managers, employees and directors. Conduct, organize and teach educational programs at conferences, workshops, seminars, in-services and tours on the cooperative business model and rural business development, including related to signature programs such as the Appalachia Cooperates Initiative and youth cooperative programming. Activities may include developing and organizing educational events, educator coordination and communication, event promotion, and other activities.

15% – Outreach
Represent the Center for Cooperatives and the OSU South Centers to internal and external stakeholders.  Create and disseminate information and materials (including articles, proposals, reports, and educational materials related to the Center’s work) in print and web-based formats to foster rural business and cooperative development.

5% – Other duties as assigned
Duties incident to the functions described above may become a part of the specialist’s role, including completing training in, and ensuring compliance with university policies, and other activities.

Additional Information:

Location:

South Centers – Extension Office and Research Center (0727)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.  A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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