Farmer Lender Mediator

Title: Farmer Lender Mediator (FLM)

Job code: 0005, Non-Exempt Casual (up to 14 hours per week)

Employee Group: Casual

Full/Part Time (FTE): Part Time, 0-14 hours per week as determined by the Director

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Office location: Extension Regional Office - Crookston, MN. This is an on-site/in-person position with flexibility that will work at field sites throughout Minnesota

Estimated salary range: $30 - 32.50 an hour, depending on qualifications

Apply by: August 21, 2026

This position provides the University of Minnesota Extension's Farmer Lender Mediation (FLM) team with mediator support throughout the year. Mediators conduct agricultural mediation sessions according to state and federal statutes. The participants are agricultural producers (debtors) and all agricultural lenders (creditors). The sessions are via conference calls, Zoom or in person.

The position is located in the Extension Regional Office in Crookston, MN. This position will have flexibility to work remotely and is required to work at assigned field sites throughout Minnesota. This position reports to the Director of the Farmer Lender Mediation program.

This position will work 0-14 hours a week; cannot exceed 14 hours of work any week. The program mediator is expected to work normal business hours, which would be flexible hours Monday through Friday. The schedule will be determined by the Director and will fluctuate based on program needs. Mediations may be via conference call, Zoom or travel may be required for mediation sessions. This position must fill out a timesheet.

• Provide mediation services for cases consistent with Farmer Lender Mediation program criteria.
• Manage individual cases including completion of required program forms, Agreement to Mediate and File Closing statements, and mail out the required and necessary forms to all the participants to manage and conclude a mediation case.
• Explain the mediation process and expectations to mediation participants.
• Build positive communications with the mediation participants and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Other related duties as assigned

• Submit case data to the Program Director as required for program reporting.
• Submit expense requests and time sheets in a timely manner.
• Participate in mandatory two day training provided by FLM each year to fulfill state and federal regulations.
• Attend webinars related to topics of agriculture for continuing education.
• Maintain file confidentiality as prescribed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the University of Minnesota
• Connect monthly with the Program Director for staff conference calls.

• Minimum of 3+ years of agriculture experience in areas such as agriculture operations, ag lending, farm management, or agricultural extension education.
• Demonstrated understanding of financial statements and agriculture terminology.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, confidentiality, and discretion when conducting mediation sessions.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and Google Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc) and Zoom.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time independently: able to identify problems, set schedules, and prioritize work independently with little day-to-day supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict data security, privacy, and file confidentiality when handling highly sensitive personal and financial information.
• Minimum of 2 years experience managing high conflict customer service.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Must be able to drive across Minnesota to field sites to conduct agricultural mediation; typically while also transporting materials and documents.
• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule.
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile number at the employee's own expense. That number will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.
• Ability to work on a computer as well as sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Working ability to perform tasks involving prolonged sitting, standing, bending, or twisting, with occasional exertion (lift, push, pull, carry) of up to thirty (30) pounds of force, and frequent repetitive motions.
• This position is not eligible for employer sponsored Visa.

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Finance, or Conflict Resolution.
• Knowledge of the Farmer Lender Mediation Program
• Experience analyzing complex agricultural financial statements, balance sheets, cash flow projections, farm credit structures and FINPACK.
• Demonstrated proficiency in conducting virtual mediations via video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams) and managing secure digital document sharing.
• Professional background in farm management, agricultural lending, extension education, or agricultural law.

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota, a land grant institution with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees. Find further information on the Extension website.

In the Department of Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems (ANR), we work with the purpose to deliver research-based programming that improves lives, environments and the communities in which we live and work. We value engagement, inclusion, discovery, integrity, growth, and balance.

Pay Range: $30 - $32.50; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.