Farm to School Fellow

Position Title: Farm to School Fellow (P4)
Reports to: Senior Manager, Community Food Systems
Location: Portland, OR
Salary Range: $55,000 to $60,000 → Starting placement will not exceed the posted range and is based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity
Full Salary Range for Level: $55,000 to $81,000 Annual Salary
Posting Date: February 24, 2024
Application Deadline: March 25, 2024
Anticipated Start Date: May 13, 2024 (flexible) (This temporary, full-time position will go through June 30, 2025)
***Learn more about this position by attending an Information Session on March 13th at noon Pacific. Scroll to bottom of job posting for details.***
Overview
Who we are
Ecotrust creates and accelerates triple-bottom-line innovations to benefit our region and inspire the world. On the farm, at the coast, in the forest, and across our cities, we work in partnership towards an equitable, prosperous, climate-smart future. Since 1991, we have created durable change and sparked ideas across the globe. Ecotrust holds a deep commitment to equity and diversity as core principles integral to the work we do. As we add new members across all levels of the organization, we seek diverse perspectives and lived experiences that we believe foster learning, creativity, innovation, and equity. Learn more at Ecotrust.org.
Job Summary
The purpose of the Farm to School Fellowship is to provide an in-depth work experience for an individual to contribute to and develop expertise in Farm to School in Oregon. Farm to School enriches the connection communities have with fresh, culturally relevant foods and local food producers by supporting gardening, agricultural education, and local food purchasing at schools and early care and education sites. At Ecotrust, this work is focused at the intersections of equity, economy, and environment and happens in relation to broader efforts to advance equity in food systems and educational spaces.
During this temporary (approximately 12 months), full-time fellowship, the fellow will work closely with the Senior Manager of Community Food Systems, other Ecotrust team members, and a wide variety of community partners. The fellow will play a key role in projects that support:

• schools and early childhood sites to build relationships and knowledge that help them buy local and culturally-relevant foods;
• schools and early childhood sites to integrate hands-on learning about food systems;
• access to institutional markets for Oregon producers (farmers, ranchers, fishers, and value-added food businesses), specifically Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other people of color.

Who you are
You are a dot connector, capacity builder, and continuous learner. You might be a recent graduate from a workforce development program, in a career transition, an emerging leader in food systems, or developing your career path toward Farm to School.
Primary Responsibilities
(The activities listed below represent the core functions of this position.)

• Support technical assistance, training, and resource development for:
  • Farm to School support organizations and efforts across Oregon
  • Early childhood sites (day care, Head Start, preschool, etc), including those who are part of the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
  • K-12 schools or other settings that are part of the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
  • Producers to build relationships with schools and early childhood sites, with a focus on BIPOC producers
• Build relationships and a dynamic knowledge-base that supports and expands Farm to School connections, which may include:
  • Early care and education sites as well as CACFP specialists and support organizations/community partners
  • K-12 school staff
  • Oregon producers, processors, distributors, and local food businesses
  • Community-based organizations
  • Organizations and movements that are building power for communities of color
  • State agencies
  • Federal child nutrition programs
• Support grant writing and reporting
• Participate in local, regional, and possibly national Farm to School trainings, conferences, and working groups
• Participate in and contribute to Ecotrust's organizational change efforts and 5 year strategic plan. This may include participating in all-staff anti-oppression learning and action sessions, reviewing all-staff communications, and providing feedback by responding to surveys and participating in group discussions.

Responsibilities and tasks outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the organization or employee.
Key Qualifications and Transferable Skills
Transferable skills may be gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for positions where they do not meet 100% of the listed skills and qualifications. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements described, if you believe you are a good fit for the position, we encourage you to apply. A candidate will be assessed on their ability to successfully fulfill or quickly learn these functions.

• Relationship-building and collaboration: Ability to connect with individuals and organizations with a range of priorities and perspectives, support coalitions or workgroups, and manage partnerships, utilizing both written and verbal communication skills
• Lived experience of inequities and connections to Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and/or other communities of color
• Ability to identify gaps in knowledge and proactively seek out information to fill those gaps
• Computer skills and ability to learn and adopt tools that may be new: We use a combination of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Google Drive, Slack, Asana, and Zoom
• Commitment to self-reflection, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning
• Ability to recognize ways that racism and other forms of oppression intersect to impact outcomes in society and institutions
• Project coordination skills including ability to organize information, track details, prioritize efforts, follow up, and meet deadlines
• Skills and experience with written and verbal communication

Other Useful Qualifications
(The items listed below represent qualifications that are desirable in a candidate, but are not required. Some of these may be gained through professional development and coaching once on board.)

• Experience coordinating projects
• Previous experience within food or education spaces or related networks, such as child nutrition, food systems, public health, or education

We believe great benefits make work better: Ecotrust offers equity-centered benefits that strive to recognize employees as whole people and prioritize their overall wellbeing. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee contributions scaled to income, tax-deferred and Roth retirement plans with employer base contributions, term life insurance, and disability coverage. Ecotrust invests in employees' professional development and personal growth. We also offer plentiful paid time off, retreats, and summer fun days.
Additional Information
This is a full-time, non-exempt position.
Working conditions:

• Long periods of time spent at a computer.
• Engage in regular communication in person as well as through electronic channels.
• Flexible hybrid schedule available: remote (from home or suitable work space) and/or in-office in SE Portland (open cubicles).
• May occasionally be required to travel within the region at Ecotrust's expense to participate in programming, conferences, or partner meetings.
• May occasionally work during weekends or evenings to deliver programming at times that meet the needs of participants.

Ecotrustis an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a diverse staff of qualified, highly-skilled, and creative individuals is necessary to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. Individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, or other People of Color, people who are queer, trans, non-binary, people with disabilities, people who are immigrants, veterans, people from poor and working class backgrounds, and people who are/have been system-impacted are strongly encouraged to apply.
Click here to learn more about equity at Ecotrust.
Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please reach out to [email protected] in advance to request assistance.
How to Apply: Apply via our careers page on JazzHR. No cover letter is required. Instead, please answer brief narrative questions provided in the application.
The Selection Process: In an effort to be as transparent as possible in our selection process as well as to help expedite bringing new staff on board, below is a timeline of key events:

• Review of Resumes: March 25-29, 2024
• First Round Interviews: April 8-10
• Second Round Interviews: April 17-18
• Reference checks: April 19-22
• Extend offer: April 25

While we will proactively communicate these dates and any changes to you throughout the process, please consider placing tentative holds on your calendars for the initial screening and face-to-face interviews.
Learn more about this position by listening to this Information Session Passcode: 0^m.!r.W