JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s work environment is fast paced and collaborative. We value creative thinking, approach our work with energetic spirit, and strive to have fun together while we’re at it!
Full-time Positions
JOB SUMMARY
The Food Access Program Director is responsible for the oversight of all Farm Fresh RI Farmers Market and Food Access programs. Currently, Farm Fresh RI manages 9 seasonal farmers markets and supports a network of over 20 partners in facilitating Food Access programs at farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs statewide. The largest Food Access program managed by Farm Fresh RI is the Bonus Bucks program, which matches the value of SNAP spent for locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Farm Fresh RI also works with community partners to offer other food access solutions using Farmers Markets and direct-to-consumer outlets as important food access outlets.
The Food Access Program Director is a critical member of the Farm Fresh RI management team and will serve as a key external face of Farm Fresh RI in the community. They will work closely with the Senior Management team to ensure the long-term success and viability of Food Access initiatives while also overseeing the delivery of quality programs that carry out the mission of Farm Fresh RI.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
PROGRAM SPECIFIC
Food Access Program Planning, Implementation & Budget Management
- Lead Food Access team in implementation of current Food Access programs including Farmers Markets, Fresh Bucks, Bonus Bucks, and Fruit and Veggie Rx programs and work with the Senior Management Team on new program development.
- Ensure Farmers Market and Food Access activities are compliant with state, and local city requirements by maintaining appropriate annual paperwork and permits as needed.
- In partnership with the Business & Administration and Communications & Development Teams, monitor compliance with Food Access grant terms and conditions.
- Support the development and collection of program evaluation data and required grant-tracking systems including.
- Solicit and share vendor, partner, and customer feedback throughout each market season.
- In partnership with the Senior Management and Business and Administration Teams, develop and monitor annual food access program budget and update budget projections as needed.
- Monitor distribution and redemption of special incentive projects (WIC bonuses, staff vouchers, other misc incentives with community partners)
- Oversee invoicing for special projects as needed.
- Approve farmers market and food access expense purchases in line with the program budget.
- Work with the Senior Management Team on strategic planning for the growth and development of Food Access programs.
- Assist with Food Access grant writing and reporting as needed.
- Provide weekly updates to Communications Director on food access programs and events for use on internal newsletter, social media, eNews, and blog
- Oversee responses to the markets@farmfresh email and voicemail inboxes
- Plan community market events and work with Food Access Operations Manager and market staff on implementation
- Recruit and schedule musicians and civic groups for markets
- Update and enforce market standards and rules document for summer and winter vendors and partners.
- Develop schedule and oversee processes for necessary table audits and farm visits.
- Oversee annual vendor application and acceptance process for summer and winter seasons.
- Schedule and lead welcome and debrief meetings for market vendors and site hosts.
- Personally staff one weekly farmers market year-round (including Saturdays 7am -2pm November through April)
- Co-manage Providence Wintertime market with Food Access Operations Manager
Farm Fresh Market & Bonus Bucks Outreach and Community Engagement
- Maintain and deepen relationships with existing Farm Fresh RI market site hosts and stakeholders.
- Confirm annual market site layout and adjustments with site hosts. Address issues related to vendor parking and loading for market sites.
- Engage with community partners around increasing food access via Farm Fresh RI programs in the cities of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Woonsocket.
- Develop and supervise the implementation of seasonal Farmers Market and Bonus Bucks outreach strategies.
- Work with communications director on farmers market signage & banners design, purchasing and maintenance.
- Ensure annual RI farmers market day and time information is updated for summer and winter seasons. Communicate these updates to the Communications Director, with state agencies, and other farmers market partners.
- Provide support to the network of RI farmers market managers and USDA FINI grant partners, communicating updates and providing training as needed.
- Host tours and provide resources that educate external partners about Farm Fresh Food Access programs.
- Schedule community partners to attend weekly farmers markets. Review requests for Community Groups at markets as well as confirming, scheduling and invoicing
- Write vendor update emails and field vendor questions about market participation
Nutrition Incentive Grant Management
- Lead projects related to regional GusNIP sub-awardee partner coordinating including annual subaward budgeting, reporting and MOU processes.
- Lead Farm Fresh RI GusNIP grant administration, work planning, compliance and reporting to USDA NIFA
- Lead Regional GusNIP-specific grant activities including digital marketing and evaluation efforts
- Act as a liaison to USDA NIFA and GusNIP NTAE to support all GusNIP project activities
- Manage alignment of GusNIP, Federal Reed appropriation, and other SNAP-affiliated matching grant budgets to ensure spending projections and restrictions are upheld
Team Management
- Direct, plan, and coordinate the work of 1-2 full-time staff, 6 part-time seasonal staff, AmeriCorps members, interns, and volunteers — including recruitment, supervision and evaluation, training, and team building.
- Instill a sense of accountability among team members by modeling tight oversight of individual and organization performance standards.
- In partnership with the Food Access Operations Manager, recruit and train farmers market staff, AmeriCorps members, interns and volunteers.
- Develop agendas and facilitate food access team meetings to ensure all team members are informed and program challenges are addressed.
- Approve seasonal market staff job postings, training plans and resource guides developed by Food Access Operations Manager
- Participate in seasonal market staff, Summer Americorps and Direct Service Member interviews as needed
- Responsible for position drafting, posting and recruitment of full-time Food Access staff and AmeriCorps members
- Responsible for position drafting, posting and recruitment of Food Access interns and volunteers for special projects
- Field and approve PTO requests for Food Access Operations Manager, Food Access Program Associate, Full-year VISTAs and appropriate interns/ work-study students and submit bi-weekly productivity trackers to Business & Admin Department bi-weekly.
- Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator to recruit and supervise volunteers and staff to assist with farmers market outreach activities
Technical and Training
- Coordinate 2021 FMPP Project activities with internal and external partners.
- Coordinate with Food Access Operations Manager to provide trainings to FINI/Bonus Bucks partner outlets.
- Provide support to the network of RI farmers market managers and USDA FINI grant partners, communicating updates and providing training as needed.
ORGANIZATIONAL
- Support Food Access Program operations in partnership with the, Director of Programs & Operations, Business & Administration Team, Communications & Development Team and Senior Management Team
- Must uphold Farm Fresh RI Supervisor Standards in accordance with Level 3: Director expectations.
- Must be able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds.
- Must be able to collaborate and work on cross program & departmental teams and efforts
- Must have strong and evolving commitment to participating in Farm Fresh RI’s DEI goals
- Must maintain a customer service orientation while considering solutions and interacting with external partners
- Must be able to manage projects and be able to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
- Must be willing and able to work a flexible and changing schedule including evenings and weekends (evenings as late as 9PM and Saturdays)
- Must hold valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation
- Must compile program data as requested for Food Access partners and Communications & Development team
- Must complete tasks as assigned by the Managing Director & Executive Directors
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite
- Spanish skills or other language skills
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES NEEDED TO PERFORM THIS ROLE
- Must be able to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment
- Self-starter and ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
- Passion for local food systems and social justice
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with exceptional attention to detail
- Ability to juggle and track multiple tasks and responsibilities
- Demonstrated commitment to the success of co-workers and Farm Fresh RI’s mission and values
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
PHYSICAL DEMANDS (PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL)
The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the company are available to address the following requirements.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit/stand for long periods of time at a desk; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls on computers; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear in meetings and on the telephone or on the computer in an office or variable setting.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Employees must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to travel, which may include travel via car, train, airline, overnight hotel stays.
Benefits
- Generous PTO and paid holiday benefits
- Monthly contributions to flexible Health, dental and life insurance plans
- Annual professional development credit and opportunities
- IRA Matching contribution after 2 years of employment
Compensation: $64,480-$74,000
To Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to hiring@farmfreshri.org with "Food Access Program Director" in the subject line. If you have any questions, please reach out to hiring@farmfreshri.org.
Priority consideration to applications received by October 1st.
AmeriCorps Service Positions
A robust local food system relies on local communities understanding how to access and prepare locally grown, harvested, and produced goods. The food that is harvested regionally consists of high-quality fruits, vegetables, and proteins—ingredients for a diet high in nutrition. Providing consumers with the tools to access and enjoy these healthy foods is the task of the Community Education department.
Since 2009, we have provided Community Education series at farmers markets, senior centers, libraries, and in-school and after school programs, and supported statewide Farm to School efforts. Our Farm to School and Community Education programs emphasize hands-on, age-appropriate sessions on food systems, food literacy, agriculture, nutrition, gardening, and cooking.
Purpose of Role
Farm Fresh RI AmeriCorps Members will split their time between performing food literacy and education programs for populations affected by poverty across Rhode Island, and mentoring adolescent youth enrolled in our Harvest Kitchen Program. They will design and implement food system, culinary and nutrition education activities alongside staff and volunteers. They will extend greater access and understanding of healthy, locally grown foods. This includes cooking classes, taste tests, farmers market education activities, garden programs, and in-school programming to bring local food and agriculture knowledge and access to the community.
Description of Duties
- Submit weekly timesheets reports via online reporting portal.
- Complete weekly and monthly data reports on program activities for AmeriCorps and grant reporting
HK
- Comply with department of health and organizational Standard Operating Procedures
- Support up to 16 Harvest Kitchen Program youth trainees per session by implementing education activities and culinary support in person 2 days per week
- Mentorship of and building relationships with youth trainees resulting in increased confidence and skills to succeed both inside and outside of the Harvest Kitchen program
- Assisting with the training of students in the HK retail cafe
Community Education
- Pilot and model revised STC curriculum for one session each with teachers in three school districts
- Use teacher feedback from piloting sessions to revise further
- Complete program data tracking forms after executing programs
- Enter program outcomes data into databases weekly
- Execute up to 50 scheduled education program activities on site at schools, libraries, senior centers and/or farmers markets
- Pack and prepare materials for scheduled off-site education programs
Essential Functions
- Must have high school diploma/GED, college degree, or be working toward one (preferred but not required)
- Must be willing to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Must be a US Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident and be able to provide documentation of citizenship
- Must uphold AmeriCorps state and national branding and uniform standards
- Basic cooking knowledge
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal)
- Great attention to detail
- Comply with department and organizational Standard Operating Procedures in safe food handling, supply purchasing and mileage reimbursement
- Must be able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Must be able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds
- Must be a self-starter and have the ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
- Must be able to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Must be able to think, react, iterate, and respond in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
Non-Essential Functions
- Experience with youth education and/or training preferred
- Ability to perform thorough research
- Knowledge of the local food system
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal) preferred
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite preferred
- Spanish skills or other language skills highly preferred
Physical Demands (Physical, Mental & Environmental)
The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the company are available to address the following requirements.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit/stand for long periods of time at a desk; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls on computers; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear in meetings and on the telephone or on the computer in an office or variable setting.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Employees must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to travel, which may include travel via car, train or bus.
Term of Service & Hour Requirements
AmeriCorps Direct Service Members must commit to a full year of service. 38 hour/week AmeriCorps full-time service term starting August 5, 2024 through July 31, 2025— totaling 1700 hours of service.
Members will be given the opportunity to fulfill all service hour requirements while also allowing for holidays as well as 50 hours of sick time and 50 hours vacation time. Missed hours can be made up on-site or off -site depending on supervisor approval. All Members must participate in AmeriCorps national, state, and local service projects as a part of their service term.
Orientation, Training & Evaluation
Members will receive one-on-one training on AmeriCorps program impacts, history, and prohibited activities as well as orientation to the local food system and food justice topics addressed by Farm Fresh RI programs. Training will not exceed more than 20% of the members total service hours completed.
All members will have opportunities for weekly one-on-one check-ins with supervisors as well as mid-service and end-of-service performance evaluations. Members will be responsible for submitting weekly timesheets and monthly program narrative reports.
AmeriCorps Member Benefits
- $26,000 living stipend, divided and paid weekly
- $6,895 Segal Education Award (upon completion of 1700 hours of service)
- Student loan forbearance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
- 1:1 supervision
- Free meal 1st Wednesday of the month
- Regular staff engagement activities
To Apply
Members must commit to a 1700 hour term of service, starting on August 5, 2024- July 31, 2025. Deadline to apply is July 8, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- To apply, please fill out our application here
- No phone calls or drop-ins please.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment for all employees. We encourage enquiries from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our organization. Farm Fresh RI does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability status in employment or programming. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an Equal Opportunity Provider.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an AmeriCorps grantee and receives funds as part of their State and National program, and to operate our VISTA program.
