The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) seeks a Veteran Agricultural Services Support Specialist to strengthen and expand apprenticeship opportunities for military veterans pursuing educational opportunities in sustainable agriculture and food systems. This position provides direct support to veterans enrolled in registered apprenticeship programs, assists with veteran recruitment, program administration, and helps coordinate services between veterans, farmers, and CEFS staff. In addition, this position will evaluate the feasibility of creating a pre-apprenticeship program that is also a Skillbridge program. The Specialist will serve as a consistent point of contact for veterans, providing guidance, troubleshooting, and resource navigation to ensure program success and compliance with GI Bill and DoD SkillBridge requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Veteran Support & Advising
- Serve as a primary point of contact for veterans in CEFS apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
- Conduct regular check-ins with veterans to track progress, troubleshoot issues, and connect participants with resources.
- Assist veterans with navigating GI Bill and VA education benefits, including Post-9/11 and VR&E paperwork.
- Support veterans in identifying career goals, professional development opportunities, and post-apprenticeship pathways.
Farmer & Host Site Support
- Conduct check-ins with farmer mentors to assess site needs, ensure compliance, and identify opportunities for additional support.
- Provide technical and administrative assistance to farmer mentors to strengthen program quality.
Program Administration & Compliance
- Manage registration and administrative requirements for Department of Defense SkillBridge pre-apprenticeships.
- Maintain records for GI Bill, VA, and apprenticeship compliance reporting.
- Assist with stipend calculations, tool orders, and other program logistics as needed
Recruitment & Outreach
- Recruit veterans into CEFS apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs through outreach, partnerships, and events.
- Represent CEFS at veteran-focused events, agricultural conferences, and career fairs.
Program Development & Team Support
- Participate in apprenticeship strategy, evaluation, agricultural education, and Career Pathways Initiative meetings.
- Assist with planning and coordinating program events and workshops for veterans.
- Contribute to grant applications, reporting, and program evaluation as needed.