Category: HR

Now Hiring! AmeriCorps VISTA Local Food Action Plan Outreach Coordinator – Niagara Falls

This is an AmeriCorps VISTA position. Information about this program can be found here: http://www.americorps.gov/

Are you passionate about local food and improving food access for your friends and neighbors? Do you love farmers markets and creating safe, judgement free zones for folks to experience the joys of seasonal fruits and vegetables? Are you looking to get into a career in food systems or non-profits?

If you said yes to any or all of those questions, then apply to become a Local Food Action Plan Outreach VISTA member!

The Local Food Action Plan VISTA member will:

Engage stakeholders to inform action items and priorities
Develop and implement advocacy agenda items
Assist with the development and implementation of projects and programs that positively impact the local food system
Create economic opportunities for farmers and local food producers

In 2018, Field & Fork Network staff led the development of the Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan (NFLFAP) which was approved by the Niagara Falls City Council in December 2018 as the official food plan for the City of Niagara Falls. The Plan provides a framework of actions to be undertaken to improve the local food system and increase food access amongst Niagara Falls residents.

Embedded within Field & Fork Network and supervised by the Project Director for the Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan, the VISTA member will assist the Project Director and key partners in the planning, coordination, and execution of community outreach events and activities to gather information from key stakeholders to inform the work that is guided by the Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan. 

About Field & Fork Network:

Field & Fork Network is a New York State food and farming non-profit organization that connects communities to innovative solutions that foster a sustainable food system. Our work focuses on four important areas: agriculture economic development, food access, youth development and healthy neighborhoods.

About AmeriCorps VISTA

Since 1965, over 220,000 AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program have joined the fight against poverty by helping local organizations expand their capacity to make change. The VISTA program serves in each of the 50 U.S. states and in all U.S. territories.

Through capacity building activities such as fundraising, grant writing, research, and volunteer recruitment, AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program serve in an office setting and gain experience and leadership skills. This opportunity prepares members for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.

Minimum Position Requirements:

Be 18 years or older (no upper age limit)
Hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card status), and persons legally residing within a state. Examples of persons legally residing within a state may include those holding the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout VISTA service, and holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle required.

Qualifications:

A passion for increasing healthy food access for low-income community members.
Strong skills in communicating, building relationships, and working with community members from diverse backgrounds, including immigrants and refugees, people of color, and low-income communities.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong public speaking skills or willingness to speak to large audiences (e.g. 15 or more persons).
Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize information from multiple sources into concise, easy to understand formats.
An understanding of the stakeholders and considerations involved in sustainable food systems policy and planning.

Benefits

Childcare assistance if eligible
$6,345 education award upon successful completion of service for either future education expenses or for payment of student loans OR a cash award of $1,800 upon successful completion of service
Health coverage
Living allowance
Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs)
10 sick days and 10 vacation days
Relocation allowance (if applicable)
Student loan forbearance and full payment of any interest accumulated during service upon successful completion of service
Training
Professional Development Opportunities
Phone stipend
Food assistance
Additional benefits to be determined

To Apply:

Please send a resume and a brief description of your interest in the position to tlowe@fieldandforknetwork.com.

Applicants should indicate “Local Food Action Plan VISTA” in the subject line of the email.

Applications will be reviewed daily and the position will be filled based on AmeriCorps VISTA Member Orientation Dates. No phone calls please.

We’re Hiring a Summer Intern! Communications Content Creator

The Communications Content Creator will assist and support marketing & communications strategy by creating exciting and dynamic content to promote our work and bring our mission to life. You will leave this internship with tangible work that you can add to your resume or portfolio.

· Assist in supporting and influencing our digital voice as it relates to our communications and marketing strategies.

· Research, create, and publish stories and communications content as related to our work.

· Manage updates to our website, newsletter, and other communications content creation as assigned.

· Integrate innovative ideas into our Communications Strategic Plan

· Work in partnership with our team to modify current marketing/digital tools to advance our organization’s digital footprint

· Help maintain, promote, and develop mission-focused communications which will impact all stakeholders

· Creating and publishing content on multiple brands and social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Qualifications

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Working knowledge of photo editing software
Must be highly self-motivated, organized, self-directed, and quick to respond to rapidly changing assignments
Ability to work via computer, telephone, and virtually
We prefer, but do not require, some relevant experience with nonprofit organizations
Create and design video assets including animated social posts, short documentaries, etc

About Field & Fork Network:

About Double Up Food Bucks NY:

One of Field & Fork Network’s core programs is Double Up Food Bucks NY, a nutrition incentive program, that offers SNAP users a $1 for $1 match on fresh local produce. The program operates across NY state at grocery stores, farmers markets, mobile markets, corner stores and farm stands. The internship would focus 80% of the time on advancing this program. www.doubleupnys.com

Position: Communications Content Creator Internship (June-August)

Please send resume and cover letter to Nichole Borchard, Communications & Partnerships Manager, nborchard@fieldandforknetwork.com

Niagara Falls City Market, now accepting SNAP, needs an Outreach & EBT Coordinator

Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan moving forward through Economic Development project that provides workforce opportunities and affordable food access to low-income families.

In an effort to make the local food system a more equitable place for all, Niagara Falls’ central and year-round market is finally going to begin accepting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), also known as food stamps or EBT. Healthy Food Healthy People of Niagara Falls along with the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area and Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative, have partnered with the Niagara Falls City Market to make it happen. In order to ensure the successful implementation and use of the benefit program, we are looking for a Community Outreach and Market EBT Coordinator. This person will not only manage the enrollment and acceptance of SNAP customers at the market, but is also a critical touchpoint in partnering with community members to get the word out about the availability of the program at City Market.

The ideal candidate should have a passion for social and community justice, be personable and approachable, and flexible as this is a temporary and part-time role. For more information and to submit an application please read the description here.

If you have any questions, reach out to Tom Lowe, Project Director, at Tlowe@fieldandforknetwork.com.

Job Posting: Program Coordinator

Job Posting: Program Coordinator, Double Up Food Bucks New York

UPDATE: POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED. Field & Fork Network is a food and farming organization dedicated to building a thriving regional food system in New York by creating more economic opportunities for local agriculture and by providing greater access to fresh local foods.

The Double Up Food Bucks program (Double Up) is an innovative way to encourage low-income consumers to use their federal food assistance (SNAP) benefits to purchase fresh produce. The project draws on a pool of funds raised from private foundations and federal funds to “match” purchases at participating markets and retailers. Currently, the program operates at farmers markets, mobile markets and healthy corner stores across New York State.

This is a full-time position based in Buffalo. Some evening and weekend work will be required.

Program Coordinator Responsibilities

Field & Fork Network seeks a qualified individual to assist in the management of the Double Up Food Bucks program. Working as part of a program team, the program coordinator will:

Assist with managing the Double Up program in New York.
Serve as the main point of contact for Double Up markets in New York.
Assist with program training, marketing, and currency distribution for all markets.
Ensure that all markets have the resources they need to effectively operate the program.
Assist with developing partnerships with key agencies and organizations to help promote the program and work with markets to facilitate partnerships and other promotional efforts.
Assist with evaluation and effectiveness of the program using qualitative and quantitative methods to determine program impact.
Assist with conducting seasonal market visits to ensure program compliance.
Assist with writing grants and grant reporting as needed in accordance with short term and long-term goals of the Double Up program.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience Requirement

Minimum of at least a bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of two (2) years of successful experience working with community-based organizations and/or with SNAP clients.
Successful experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team and working effectively with persons from diverse backgrounds.
A minimum of two (2) years of grant writing and reporting preferred.
A minimum of one to two (1 -2) years of program evaluation preferred.
Demonstrated experience and commitment to creating a diverse and multicultural environment, both within an organization and in the community at large.

Core Competency/Skills Required

Ability to represent the organization to a variety of stakeholders in a credible and influential way that focuses on the values of the organization.
Excellent written and oral communications.
Excellent analytic ability.
Team-oriented, anticipatory, self-starter working style.
Ability to think globally and focus on a large vision paired with the ability to develop and implement local programs that take specific steps toward realizing the vision.
Problem solving skills, including the ability to think outside the box and to develop novel approaches to solving problems.
Sound judgment and the ability to make complex, multidimensional decisions.
Capacity to effectively use research and evaluation, especially for improving programmatic approaches.
Accountability to goals and outcomes.
High tolerance for ambiguity.
Team effectiveness skills and the ability to use interpersonal and political skills in cooperative and diplomatic ways.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Suite.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to pakers@fieldandforknetwork.com.

We value the knowledge, skills and abilities that a diverse team brings to Field & Fork Network. In your cover letter please explain how your background will prepare you to be successful in this role. Field & Fork Network hires without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, height, weight, marital status, disability or any other factor protected under federal, state, or local law.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. No telephone calls, please.