The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (MDAR) mission is to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its four divisions – Agricultural Conservation & Technical Assistance, Agricultural Markets, Animal Health, and Crop and Pest Services – MDAR strives to support, regulate and enhance the rich diversity of the Commonwealth’s agricultural community to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture’s role in energy conservation and production. The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is to help keep the Massachusetts food supply safe and secure, and to work to keep Massachusetts agriculture economically and environmentally sound.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is accepting resumes and applications for the position of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Cooperative Agreement Program (RFSI) Grant Contractor. The contract will not exceed three and a half years. MDAR was awarded a FY23 USDA RFSI grant award to build resilience in the middle-of-the-supply-chain and strengthen local and regional food systems by creating new revenue streams for suppliers across the Commonwealth.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) seeks to build resilience in the middle-of-the-supply-chain and strengthen local and regional food systems by creating new revenue streams for Massachusetts producers. Initiatives include building resilience across the middle-of-the-food-supply-chain, through supporting expansion of capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry. RFSI addresses this need by targeting crucial parts of the agricultural supply chain to address gaps in existing pandemic assistance, Food Systems Transformation (FST) programs, and other USDA programs. The intent is to award competitive Infrastructure Grants (i.e., subawards) for projects to expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural products. Target audiences for the project include farmers, with special consideration to, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), Environmental Justice communities, and socially disadvantaged populations. MDAR will partner with and leverage the knowledge and expertise of service providers in the state and regional network, including the New England Regional Food Business Center. The expected reach of the project will be around 30 awardees.

The RFSI Grant Contractor will be responsible for management of the grant award, conducting associated state-led coordination activities, and overseeing funded projects.

The contract position will be based upon a hybrid model, with primary work taking place remotely and some in-person meetings as required. Consideration will be given to applicant’s current location, and in compliance with COVID-19 federal and state safety and workplace standards.

Contract Duration: Not to exceed 3 years

Schedule: ~25 hours per week

Duties:

The USDA-RFSI Grant Project Manager will manage and oversee the day-to-day aspects of the grant program in collaboration with MDAR’s Commissioner’s Office. The Contractor will also work closely with Finance, and other MDAR staff to track and implement grant program priorities and deliverables.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Work closely with MDAR Commissioner’s Office and fiscal staff to fulfill the grant requirements.
• Monitor/tracks the status of each project deliverable through its program life cycle.
• Provides regular status reports on grant implementation in conjunction with grant accountant reports.
• Coordinate/facilitate with procured contractors on grant tasks.
• Prepare &/or coordinate program reports for submission to the granting authority according to grant guideline schedules.
• Conduct outreach to agricultural stakeholders, subcontractors, and agency staff.
• Receive phone calls.
• Coordinate with subcontractors.
• Assist with contract drafting and management of potential subcontractors.
• Assist with communications to agricultural stakeholders.
• Assist the Fiscal team in assuring that expenditures support program objectives and that budgets submitted are consistent with original grant application.
• Develop final report for submission to USDA.
• Facilitate questions between subcontractors and USDA.
• Other duties as assigned.

Project Management:

The USDA-RFSI Grant Contractor will support the Commissioner’s Office to manage responsibilities, as mentioned above, related to the implementation of the USDA RFSI Grant award. The Contractor will also work with subcontractors and agricultural stakeholders to assist with education and outreach and overall grant management as well as provide regular and detailed progress updates to MDAR including budget updates, performance metrics, and a final report.

Outreach:

Support all funded subcontractors by assisting with contract management and tracking deliverables and final report submission requirements. This will include communication to individual subcontractors, procured contractors, agency personnel, agricultural stakeholders, and ensuring MDAR is receiving all the documentation that is required to process payments and reporting. Additionally, outreach will be required to the state-wide service provider network to assist with education and outreach on webinars and information sessions.

Program and Network Development:

Work closely with the Deputy Commissioner/Legislative and Policy Affairs Director, Finance, and other MDAR staff to develop and execute deliverables of the USDA RFSI Grant.

• Strong communication and writing skills are essential.
• Grant management experience, preferably with federal grants.
• Ability to collect, review, evaluate and synthesize relevant data and resources developed into deliverables and final report.
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing and orally.
• Ability to read, understand, and relay relevant information in an engaging and easy to navigate and understand manner to agency staff and key stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in writing and communication.
• Awareness of, or experience with, the food system and food supply chain.

• The ideal candidate will have experience, education or a strong interest in subjects relating to food and agricultural businesses.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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