National Farm to School Network
Position Announcement: Associate Director (updated September 2011)
Deadline for Applications is September 15, 2011
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK: The National Farm to School Network (NFSN) http://www.farmtoschool.org sprouted from the desire to support community-based food systems, strengthen family farms, and improve student health by reducing childhood obesity. Comprised of eight Regional Lead Agencies, and 50 state leads, the NFSN coordinates, promotes and expands Farm to School at the state, regional and national levels.
POSITION SUMMARY: NFSN is seeking a committed, dynamic individual to join as Associate Director. The selected candidate will be actively involved in fundraising, and assisting the NFSN Director in administrative and programmatic tasks as necessary. The Associate Director will also work to ensure implementation of the NFSN strategic action plan in the priority areas of policy; media, marketing and outreach; training and technical assistance; information services; research and networking.
The selected candidate will be employed by the fiscal sponsor (to be determined in September-October 2011) of the National Farm to School Network with the option to work remotely from any location in the continental US. This position is funded full-time until August 31, 2012. Continued employment is based upon availability of funds.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist in overall management of the National Farm to School Network, working closely with the NFSN Director to:
· Connect with all NFSN staff, Regional Lead Agencies, State Leads and Advisory Committee members – reviewing existing roles and responsibilities, developing internal accountability measures, ensuring regular communication and team building.
· Communicate on a regular basis with the fiscal sponsor and others involved in NFSN to develop key decision-making protocols, staffing structure, and future plans.
· Foster external and internal partnerships and collaborations.
· Raise funds and assist with financial planning for NFSN, including grant writing and reporting.
· Assist with overall evaluation efforts of NFSN.
· Represent NFSN at conferences and meetings.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Past experience and interest in Farm to School or other farm to institution initiatives, community food systems, public health, school nutrition, sustainable agriculture or related fields. Minimum of five years in program development and management.
Experience working with a diverse set of stakeholders, including groups from low-income communities, communities of color and business interests.
Expertise in a minimum of one of the following areas: procurement, food safety, curriculum development, organizing, research and/or trainings.
Excellent collaborator, able to successfully work with NFSN staff, regional and state leads, and national partners.
Ability to travel as needed, 8 – 12 trips per year.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strategic thinker.
Self starter.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
· Minimum of five years in management position, preferably in a national or regional
organization, including fundraising and financial planning experience.
· Experience working with farm organizations, nutrition groups, and school food
service.
· Ability to coordinate a conference team, with multiple national partners, planning
for over 800 attendees.
· Proven entrepreneurial skills, including successful grant writing
· Excellent coordination and organizing skills
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position requires at least eight hours or more per day either sitting at a desk (responding to emails, developing materials or being on the phone), attending meetings outside of the office, travelling within the US to attend conferences and workshops, and speaking at public forums. These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the employee will encounter: a basic office environment, visits to schools or farms, conference centers or hotels where events are being held. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Compensation and Benefits: Compensation for this full-time position is in the mid fifties, and will include benefits – health, vision, life, and dental insurance; a retirement plan; vacation and sick leave.
APPLICATION: Send resume, cover letter, salary history, and contact information for three references to applytoNFSN.AssociateDirector@gmail.com
Deadline for applications is September 15, 2011, 5 pm eastern
National Farm to School Network is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions.
Anupama Joshi
Director, National Farm to School Network
Urban & Environmental Policy Institute, Occidental College
Tel: (323) 341-5095
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