Just and Healthy Food System Community of Interest Coordinator

(1 year contract position)

 

The Puyallup Watershed Initiative is a 10-year commitment funded by the Russell Family Foundation to work with people in the Puyallup River watershed to support the capacity and leadership development of individuals and groups who envision a healthier watershed. The initiative supports people and organizations to work together in Communities of Interest to identify environmental and social challenges affecting their community, decide how best to tackle them, and then do so.

 

The Just and Healthy Food System (JHFS) Community of Interest (COI) is a broad, inclusive partnership of organizations and individuals focused on addressing issues of food justice, food sovereignty, and equity at the community level.  We recognize that the current food system is structured in a way that reinforces racism and inequity, and fails to support healthy people and healthy communities.  Our goal is to create a just and healthy food system that works to undo institutional racism, increase equity, and promote healthy communities and people.

 

The Coordinator position will provide a broad range of support services to the collaborative effort that is the Just and Healthy Food Systems Community of Interest.

 

In Year 1 our funding focus is:

Strategy 1:  Increase Equity – Restructure Power Relations in the COI and Broader Community

  • Participate in 2- day training on Undoing Institutional Racism (UIR) with the People’s Institute
  • Participate in quarterly convenings to continue integrating learning from the UIR training into ongoing strategy work
  • Create Equity Team, consisting of representatives from each of the COI strategies and community leaders, to work with People’s Institute and develop quarterly trainings
  • Plan and implement Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPR) project to engage community members in just and healthy food system work. Recruit community members and support CBPR participants in research process.

Strategy 2: Build Skills, Tools, and Resources to Make Food Available to All People

  • Further develop new and/or existing ideas related to making food available to all people in light of UIR training. Launch one or more pilot projects related to building community hubs.

Strategy 4:  Revaluing Food and Agriculture

  • Participate in Agricultural COI moving forward and work to co-develop strategies

 

The Just and Healthy Food System Work final proposal and approved funding are available through the following links:

2015 Final Proposal: http://tinyurl.com/2015JHFSproposalfinal

2015 Approved Funding: http://tinyurl.com/2015JHFSfunding

 

 

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

  1. Work closely with Puyallup Watershed Initiative (PWI) staff and partners to communicate with COI participants about the Initiative
  • Serve as a contact person and channel of knowledge to Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF), Greater Tacoma Community Foundation (GTCF) and other COI’s
  • Send announcements from PWI staff and partners about Initiative to JHFS COI participants
  1. Manage External Communications
  • Orient and integrate new participants
  • Interface with the public and potential new partners
  • Oversee communications and marketing such as photos, videos, etc. as documentation
  • Coordinate and contribute website content for JHFS as part of the Puyallup Watershed Initiative website
  1. Attend and help coordinate all Strategy Group Meetings to provide a consistent voice across strategies
  • Take meeting notes
  1. Manage communications among strategy groups and the whole COI
  • Maintain current contact information for participants
  • Track attendance and participation in the three groups
  • Send meeting reminders and communicate information about meeting times, locations, agendas and notes
  • Centralize and organize all JHFS documents through accessible online platform such as Google Docs
  • Communicate protocols for using online platforms
  • Field requests and direct to appropriate groups
  1. Organize meeting logistics such as reservation of meeting venues, maintenance of sign-in sheets, arrangement of supplies and food
  2. Submission of proposals through TRFF online grant application system
  • Manage all documents related to the development of plans and proposals
  1. Budget management
  • Keep track of budget and unallocated funds
  • Administer distribution of unallocated funds and stipends to individuals
  • Process reimbursements for travel and childcare
  1. Other duties as needed

 

This is a contract position with a 12-month term with the possibility of extension pending funding. This position is funded through the Russell Family Foundation Puyallup Watershed Initiative

Qualifications/Experience

  • Experience working with diverse communities.
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize job assignments, and independently meet required deadlines.
  • Capacity to work in fast-paced, flexible work environment
  • Demonstrated skill working in collaborative environments
  • Service oriented with a positive attitude
  • Strong communication skills both orally (including active listening) and in writing
  • Advanced organizational skills
  • Constructive problem solving skills
  • Ability to provide own transportation
  • Ability to works flexible hours
  • Excellent note taking, editing, and proofreading skills
  • Experience with consistent formatting of materials based on effective design models and use of the following Microsoft software, including WORD, Excel, and Publisher, Power Point and/or other publishing software
  • Intermediate level knowledge of Adobe and/or other photo/video software programs
  • Experience working with Google Docs or other online sharing platforms

 

Preferred Skills

  • Grant Writing and Research
  • Facilitation and conflict resolution skills

 

Reporting Relationship

Initially, for the first six months, the coordinator will report to the current co-coordinators, Dean Jackson of Hilltop Urban Gardens and Kristen McIvor of Harvest Pierce County; though some direction may be given by consensus in the entire community of interest.

 

Work Environment

The Northwest Leadership Foundation (NLF) will be the host work site for the JHFS Coordinator for the first 6 -12 months after hiring. The office is located at 1119 Pacific Ave, St 800, Tacoma 98402. The dedicated office is shared with three staff persons for Sustainable Roots, one of five NLF initiatives and the one dedicated to environmental justice. The coordinator  will have a desk, desk top computer and access to  printer, fax, office supplies, lunch room and a collegial working environment where there are ample opportunities to share ideas, and find inspiration from the work of others. Work schedule is flexible. Telecommuting can be discussed.

 

Compensation and Schedule:

$23,000-32,000 annually at $30/hour; expected time 15-20 hours per week (60-80 hours per month) with some variation from month to month.

 

Benefits: None provided

 

To Apply: Send resume, cover letter, references, and the writing sample to bshell@tpchd.org by June 15, 2015 at 8am with “JHFS Coordinator” in the subject line. Applications may also be physically sent to Brogan Shell, 3629 South D St MS1100, Tacoma WA 98418. Please do not stop by. For questions, please call 253.427.7336

 

Please Include:

  • Cover letter including your interest in the position
  • Resume highlighting relevant education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities (Maximum 2 pages)
  • A writing sample about your experience of the food system and what you think would make our food system more just and healthy. (Minimum 2 paragraphs, Maximum 1 page)
  • Three job related or academic references with contact information

 

Closing Date:  June 15, 2015, 8am

 

The Just and Healthy Food System COI is an equal opportunity employer committed to affirmative action and accessibility. We are an inclusive organization. People of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply. If you need any accommodations to participate in the application process please let us know

 

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. The statements contained herein should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. The Just and Healthy Food System COI has the exclusive right to alter this job description without notice.