Food & Farming Program Coordinator (II)

Full-Time; Non-exempt; Benefitted; This is a Union position

Ecology Center Background

The Ecology Center’s mission is to inspire and build a sustainable, healthy, and just future for the East Bay, California, and beyond. The Ecology Center transforms the ideas of sustainability into everyday practice. We offer information you can act on, infrastructure you can count on, and leadership for lasting change. We are working toward a world of resilient communities, zero waste and toxics, equal access to healthy food, sustainable resource use, and a safe and stable climate.

Founded in the run-up to the first Earth Day in 1970, the Ecology Center has been a regional and national leader on a wide range of issues, turning vision into action and cementing it with advocacy. We operate the nation’s first and longest running curbside recycling service, nationally recognized food and farming programs, and model education and engagement activities.

We are a committed, congenial, and diverse staff dedicated to making the world a better place through action. Every employee is integral to the success of our organization. We value vision, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. If you are passionate and qualified, we encourage you to apply to be part of our team.

Program Description

The goal of the program is to create greater healthy food choices for low-income and underserved populations and drive additional customers/income to mid- sized family farmers.

Summary of Responsibilities

The Food & Farming Program Coordinator supports the Program Manager in coordinating the California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets (the Alliance) and in executing project goals and work-plan. The Program Coordinator also supports projects and program efforts to advance CalFresh/SNAP access and healthy food incentives nationally in a farm-direct setting (farmers’ markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, and farm stands.). This position reports to the Food and Farming Manager.

Primary Responsibilities

  • In collaboration with Program Director and Manager, contribute to the development of work-plan, goals, and objectives for the Programs in accordance with the Ecology Center’s mission, goals, and strategic plan
  • Collaborate with Program Manager and Alliance Steering Committee to develop Alliance work-plan, goals, and objectives
  • Coordinate and assist in the execution of work-plan, goals, and deliverables associated with the Program, and all associated grants, including project coordination, coordination with contractors and outside partners, data tracking, and other grant deliverables
  • Represent Ecology Center’s mission values and goals to the general public, as well as as to contractors and partners
  • In collaboration with Program Manager, support the expansion of SNAP nutrition incentive programs through the National Nutrition Incentive Impact Hub project and other projects, including: collaborating with partners to design and execute training curriculum; providing technical assistance and training; project coordination; and executing other deliverables
  • Assist in Ecology Center data maintenance and website development for the Farmers’ Market Finder (FMFinder.org) tool
  • In collaboration with the Ecology Center communications team, coordinate and contribute to the Alliance’s communications efforts, including the production and distribution of the Program’s electronic newsletter, the Alliance website, the Farmers’ Market Finder website, the program’s Facebook page and other social networking tools.
  • Coordinate Alliance marketing, outreach and promotions campaigns and media features, including working with content and media developers, media placement consultants, the Alliance Steering Committee, Alliance membership, and Ecology Center communications staff
  • Work with Program Manager and Alliance Steering Committee to coordinate and execute statewide and regional farmers’ market manager trainings, in-person, via webinar, and virtually
  • Work with curriculum developers and Alliance leadership to update Farmers’ Market Manager Manual as needed
  • Attend and support bi-monthly Alliance Steering Committee meeting logistics, creation of agendas, sending of materials and reminder emails; coordinate and track subcommittee progress and outcomes, and provide support to subcommittees as needed
  • Work with Program Manager and Steering Committee to grow Alliance membership and income, develop new membership benefits and outreach tactics, recruit and track prospective and new members, and staff outreach events as needed
  • Assist in data collection initiatives including technical assistance to Alliance membership and data entry and maintenance in order to feed statewide database, fundraise, and report for grants
  • Assist in the identification of and application to grants and other fundraising efforts to support the work of the Alliance and Ecology Center
  • Observe safe operating practices and comply with organizational safety policies
  • Maintain familiarity with, follow, and ensure staff compliance with all Ecology Center policies and procedures in the performance of daily duties
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience coordinating or managing projects, programs, or grants OR a High School Diploma/GED (required) and three years of general work experience, and at least two year coordinating or managing projects, programs, or grants
  • Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
  • Ability to travel (up to 10 percent time)
  • Remote with occasional in-person work and in-person trainings
  • May be required to work remotely, including from home for up to 100 percent time depending on organizational needs
  • Demonstrated commitment to the Ecology Center mission and vision
  • Proven ability to work independently to organize and perform assigned work on a daily and weekly basis
  • Ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Knowledge of farmers’ markets and California’s direct marketing programs
  • Strong familiarity or experience with local, statewide and national healthy food access programs; federal nutrition programs such as CalFresh and the Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program
  • General environmental, farming, or social justice knowledge and literacy to support Ecology Center’s environmental and social justice mission
  • Proven ability to coordinate collaborative programs and/or projects
    Proven ability for developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with clients and non-profit partners, government agencies, or other stakeholders
  • Proven ability to successfully utilize traditional and social media marketing and promotion tools, strategies, skills
  • Proven ability to provide technical assistance and/or and communicate effectively and courteously with a diverse audience
  • Ability to process documents and data with accuracy and efficiency
  • Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word + Excel), group e-mail, Google Suite (Docs, Email, Calendar) and social media sites; experience with newsletter layout, wordpress + Zoom is a plus
  • Willingness to acquire training to further develop knowledge of social media, digital organizing, and communications technologies
  • Ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of environments and situations
  • Ability to work collaboratively and in a team
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Must be detail-oriented, accurate, efficient, and well organized.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience working for and commitment to building sustainable food systems
  • Bi-lingual in Spanish, Chinese, or Vietnamese
  • Experience with farmers’ market managers, farmers, and vendors
  • Direct experience as a CalFresh, WIC programs participant

Compensation

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, hourly; starting pay range is $25.79 to $28.36, depending on qualifications. Please note that only internal candidates are eligible for the highest starting pay rate. This position is entirely grant funded and dependent on grant funding. This position is eligible for pro-rated benefits which include fully paid employee medical, dental, optional vision plan, fully vested 401K plan, vacation/sick/holiday pay, Employee Assistance Program and EcoStore discount.

How to Apply

  1. Complete application found at www.ecologycenter.org/jobs/
  2. Send completed application, resume, and cover letter to hiring@ecologycenter.org. Please add “FF Program Coordinator” in the e-mail subject line. Please note that all application materials must be submitted to be considered for an interview.

Application Deadline

Open until filled. Please apply early as this position may close at any time.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

We value diversity. People of color, people LGBTQIA-identified, women, veterans, people with disabilities, and formerly incarcerated individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. EOE/AA.