Job description
The Food Access Manager will plan and implement WSFMA’s food access programs and build partnerships that strengthen the connections between farmers markets, service providers and low income communities. Our goal is to ensure farmers markets are welcoming and accessible places to purchase locally grown food for all Washington residents, including the 1.1 million Washingtonians who receive public food assistance benefits. The Food Access Manager is WSFMA’s leader on: 1) strengthening Washington’s Farmers Market Access Partnership (FMAP); 2) expanding our Regional Market Manager Leads Program; 3) managing WSFMA’s food access grants and contracts; and 4) coordinating support to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as “food stamps”) incentive programs at farmers markets.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Manage FMAP Partnership and Regional Leads Programs

Working with partners, develop annual goals and priorities for the Farmers Market Access Partnership (FMAP) and related food access programs that connect farmers markets, social service providers, public agencies and other partners to increase the number of low-shoppers at local farmers markets.
Organize and facilitate quarterly FMAP meetings; ensure statewide projects are making progress on goals; manage communications with partners, including monthly newsletters.
Support Regional Leads and partner activities so they can effectively meet agreed upon deliverables and expectations.
Work with project evaluators and ensure accurate and consistent data collection across sites.
SNAP Incentives Programs

Coordinate statewide and regional partnerships of markets and farmers to expand SNAP incentive programs; may include new USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program grants.
Develop strategies to create a cohesive, coordinated approach to building and sustaining incentive programs.
Create outreach materials and provide trainings for markets, farms and partners interested in offering SNAP incentives.
Technical Assistance, Reporting and Communications

Provide technical assistance, insight, problem solving, and customer service to farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers on issues of food access and implementing food assistance programs.
Coordinate data collection for food access programs at member markets.
Monitor all grant requirements and complete monthly reporting, including annual summary that demonstrates program impacts.
Develop outreach plan and educational materials for low-income shoppers and service providers about using food assistance benefits at local farmers markets.
Identify stories and media opportunities to highlight food access; regularly update Food Access content on website.
Food Access Policy

Work with key partners to identify specific gaps in food access resources, knowledge, and practices at the state level – as well as specific actions WSFMA partners can take to improve policy development and implementation.
Help increase the capacity of WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP) through lobbying and stakeholder organizing.
Represent WSFMA in key coalitions and stakeholder groups on related policy issues. Work with WSFMA’s Advocacy Committee to provide a credible and informed voice for access issues in the farmers market community.
Ensure that opportunities for federal benefits matching programs are discussed in an inclusive and united effort.
Other Duties

Research and maintain up to date knowledge of food access efforts and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) technology at a national level.
Help identify funding strategies and opportunities to support this work.
Carry out additional responsibilities as identified.
Desired Qualifications:

Ability to work independently and collaboratively to meet goals.
Demonstrated ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders and interests. Demonstrated ability to respond quickly and flexibly to new situations and information.
Strong background in project management and ability to effectively identify challenges and opportunities, creating inspired solutions within time and funding constraints of contracts and grant timelines.
Experience working with media, promotion, press releases, developing and implementing media campaigns and press events.
Keen attention to detail.
A mind for data-management; precise data collection and compilation.
Familiarity with EBT technology and working with Third Party Processors preferred
Familiarity with EBT (SNAP/food stamp cards) at farmers markets
An interest in food access, agriculture and policy issues, as well as experience related to farmers markets
Reliable transportation for travel as needed
Desired Skills:

Strong organizational skills
Strong communication skills: written and oral.
Proficiency in a wide variety of applications including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access), MailChimp, CRM software, online data tracking tools, with capacity to adapt to new software as needed.
Reports to: Executive Director

Office Location: Seattle

Full-time Position; this is a new position

Wages and Benefits: Depending on qualifications, the pay range is $17 – $22 per hour.

Start Date: Paid training begins September 8, 2014; full-time employment begins October 1, 2014.

How to apply
The Washington State Farmers Market Association (WSFMA) is seeking a dynamic and innovativeFood Access Programs Manager to plan and implement WSFMA’s food access programs and build partnerships that strengthen the connections between farmers markets, farmers, service providers and low income communities. Our goal is to ensure farmers markets are welcoming and accessible places to purchase locally grown food for all Washington residents.

The Food Access Programs Manager will work under the supervision of the WSFMA Executive Director, and closely with the organization’s many partners. This is a new position for WSFMA. Paid training will start in early September, with full-time work beginning October 1.

WSFMA is a statewide nonprofit membership organization dedicated supporting and promoting vibrant and sustainable farmers markets in Washington State. The office is located in the heart of downtown Seattle above Pike Place Market, and applicants should be local, or able to relocate upon hire.

Applications are due to jobs@wafarmersmarkets.com, no later than 5pm Friday, August 29, 2014. Applications received after this time will not be considered. Please include your resume and a cover letter explaining your qualifications for the job and salary expectations, as attachments in your email with the subject line: “Your First & Last Name Food Access Program Manager”. To learn more about WSFMA, visit www.wafarmersmarkets.com.

Questions should be sent via email (no phone calls, please). A WSFMA representative will be in contact with you regarding your application within two weeks of submission.