Food Business Specialist (CES 3) Fresno, CA, Job ID 79630
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Job Description
The Food Business Specialist (Community Education Specialist 3) will support outreach, education, and technical assistance efforts as part of the Local Farm and Food Innovation (F3Local) Initiative's Farm-to-Market program. Serving Merced, Fresno, Madera, Kings, and Tulare Counties, the specialist will support small-scale farmers, food entrepreneurs, and innovators by developing, delivering and coordinating workshops and training programs, as well as conducting outreach in the five-country service area. This includes developing a comprehensive curriculum and educational materials focused on business development topics such as entrepreneurial skills, licensing, permitting, certification, and access to capital. The role will involve both group instruction through workshops and direct one-on-one technical assistance tailored to each entrepreneur's needs.
With a strong emphasis on community engagement, the Food Business Specialist will build trusted relationships with local business owners and collaborate with regional partners to expand support services and resource access. The position requires strong facilitation skills, curriculum design experience, and knowledge of food systems or small business development.
This position is a contract appointment that is 100% fixed.
Pay Scale: $49,200.00/year to $66,200.00/year.
Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 11/10/2025.
Key Responsibilities:
50%
Education and Training Development: Develop, design, and evaluate educational materials tailored to the needs of the target audience. Plan and deliver presentations on relevant topics to enhance the knowledge and skills of food entrepreneurs in the region. Provide personalized technical assistance to small-scale food and farming entrepreneurs and businesses including training and logistical support with licensing and permitting requirements, access to capital and existing resources, business planning, and connections to marketing support from project partners.
40%
Outreach and Community Engagement: Assist in developing and delivering effective methods to increase outreach and technical assistance to small-scale farms, food businesses and food processing enterprises for F3Local Farm to Market programs. Inform small business owners, entrepreneurs, and partner referral sources about available educational resources and engagement opportunities through marketing seminars, courses, online resources, and events. Build networks and collaborate with other technical providers in the region and deliver presentations to the community about services and programs available. Identify small food businesses and organizations working in this space to facilitate partnerships and mutual support.
10%
Data Collection and Management: Assist with Farm to Market program activities and data collection and management. Gather input from small-scale farms, food businesses and food processing enterprises, manage database and Excel records, assist with tracking of activities, contacts, and expenses. Organize information for program evaluation and prepare reports, summaries, and case studies. Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Associate's degree with coursework in food science, food service management, food safety, agricultural economics, agricultural business, business management/administration, entrepreneurship, community development, or in a related area and / or equivalent experience / training
- Thorough knowledge of community education, community engagement, teaching and/or facilitation best practices
- Demonstrated ability to engage with diverse communities
- Demonstrated skills to communicate and work in large groups, small groups and one-on-one, give presentations
- Proven track record of building strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and community groups
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple project tasks
- Thorough and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Proficiency in use of Windows-based computers and Microsoft Office applications
Preferred Skills:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience / training
- Experience teaching and working with a diverse audience and experience working with underserved populations
- Past experiences in community engagement and/or economic development
- Business acumen and experience in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in development, including business planning, financial management, marketing, and sales
- Proficiency in technical areas relevant to small food businesses, such as food safety and sanitation, menu development, inventory management, supply chain logistics, and food production processes
- Previous involvement in organizing workshops, conferences, or community events aimed at supporting small-scale farms and food businesses
- Bilingual communication/translation abilities in English and Spanish/ Hmong/ Mien/ Punjabi or other languages spoken in the community
Special Conditions of Employment:
- Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
- Overtime and occasional weekend work as needed, usually on short notice to meet operational needs may be requested.
- Travel including travel outside normal business hours may be requested.
- The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
- As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
- As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California $49,200.00/year to $66,200.00/year.
Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 11/10/2025.
Key Responsibilities:
50%
Education and Training Development: Develop, design, and evaluate educational materials tailored to the needs of the target audience. Plan and deliver presentations on relevant topics to enhance the knowledge and skills of food entrepreneurs in the region. Provide personalized technical assistance to small-scale food and farming entrepreneurs and businesses including training and logistical support with licensing and permitting requirements, access to capital and existing resources, business planning, and connections to marketing support from project partners.
40%
Outreach and Community Engagement: Assist in developing and delivering effective methods to increase outreach and technical assistance to small-scale farms, food businesses and food processing enterprises for F3Local Farm to Market programs. Inform small business owners, entrepreneurs, and partner referral sources about available educational resources and engagement opportunities through marketing seminars, courses, online resources, and events. Build networks and collaborate with other technical providers in the region and deliver presentations to the community about services and programs available. Identify small food businesses and organizations working in this space to facilitate partnerships and mutual support.
10%
Data Collection and Management: Assist with Farm to Market program activities and data collection and management. Gather input from small-scale farms, food businesses and food processing enterprises, manage database and Excel records, assist with tracking of activities, contacts, and expenses. Organize information for program evaluation and prepare reports, summaries, and case studies. Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:- Associate's degree with coursework in food science, food service management, food safety, agricultural economics, agricultural business, business management/administration, entrepreneurship, community development, or in a related area and / or equivalent experience / training
- Thorough knowledge of community education, community engagement, teaching and/or facilitation best practices
- Demonstrated ability to engage with diverse communities
- Demonstrated skills to communicate and work in large groups, small groups and one-on-one, give presentations
- Proven track record of building strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and community groups
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple project tasks
- Thorough and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Proficiency in use of Windows-based computers and Microsoft Office applications
Preferred Skills:- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience / training . click apply for full job details