Local Food Assistant

Salary : $54,259.07 - $65,110.90 Annually
Location : Iowa City, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 00766
Department: Board of Supervisors
Opening Date: 03/11/2024
Closing Date: 4/1/2024 11:59 PM Central
Definition & Duties
Under general supervision of the Local Food and Farm Manager, assist in the development and implementation of policy and program initiatives that improve access to locally produced food for area residents. Help advance Johnson County's Local Food systems and strengthen Local Food value chains. Assist in the implementation of the Board of Supervisors' Strategic Plan priorities involving food production and distribution, agritourism, and food security. Provide staff support to the Food Policy Council (FPC). Support program development and events at the Historic Poor Farm (HPF).
Knowledge of & Ability to

• Local food systems, food policy, and food value chains
• Farming best practices and land stewardship
• Sustainability practices in food production
• Community outreach and coalition building
• Event planning and implementation
• English language to include grammar, spelling, sentence structure, vocabulary, and proofreading skills

Ability to:

• Represent Johnson County and perform duties in a professional, responsible, and trustworthy manner
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, department heads, coworkers, other governmental and non-profit agencies, media representatives, and members of the public
• Collect data, prepare reports, and keep organized records
• Be detail-oriented and accurate when working with documents and information
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias
• Operate common office equipment such as calculators, postage machines, photocopiers, scanners, and multi-line telephones
• Operate digital and video cameras, microphones, PA systems, and other related equipment
• Use a computer for the purposes of word processing, data entry, spreadsheets, presentations, email, and internet
• Provide customer service that is courteous and responsive
• Work effectively with persons representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view
• Organize and communicate facts, ideas, and opinions clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, formally and informally
• Follow oral and written instructions
• Organize and prioritize multiple tasks
• Work independently on projects and routine tasks
• Interpret, apply, and articulate laws, policies, rules, and regulations
• Handle low to moderate levels of stress, meet deadlines, and solve problems appropriate to the position
• Have clarity of speech and hearing which permits effective communication
• Have sufficient personal mobility to complete work at diverse locations, such as farms, food production and distribution facilities, cafeterias, and various County facilities
• Have sufficient vision that permits moderate production and review of a wide variety of materials, both in electronic and hardcopy forms
• Have sufficient manual dexterity to make handwritten notations and which permits moderate use of a keyboard and mouse
• Lift, push, pull, and/or carry up to 35 pounds
• Sit, stand, walk, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, squat, bend, twist, and reach
• Work flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and occasional overtime as needed

Minimum Education, Training & Experience & Special Requirements
Bachelor's degree in community development, planning, agriculture, marketing, or related field AND one (1) year of experience working in agricultural marketing, farmers market management, Local Food systems; ORr any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Special requirements: Valid driver's license and insurable under County liability coverage. May also require use of personal vehicle or equivalent transportation for official business.
Specific Duties
to be performed satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Assist in the development and promotion of food value chains in the Local Foodshed by linking farmers, processors, marketers, aggregators, distributors, retailers, food access organizations, and supporting groups.
• Provide staff support for the FPC by coordinating meetings and events, onboarding new members, managing contact lists, researching issues, preparing meeting agendas and minutes, and drafting plans and reports.
• Write content and support design for newsletters, media releases, promotional materials, informational videos, social media, and the County website.
• Assist with Local Food related program development, marketing, and administration.
• Work with local farmers to address foodshed-wide issues related to food production, processing, and marketing.
• Develop community resources for Local Food including Johnson County Local Food and farm policy guides and toolkits.
• Update contact lists for community-based farms, food businesses, and organizations.
• Facilitate stakeholder input and feedback for Local Food related programming through surveys, focus groups, forums, and interviews.
• Plan and execute Local Food and Food Policy Council events and outreach initiatives.
• Expand community engagement with Local Food and Food Policy Council events and initiatives.
• Facilitate the sharing of information between regional organizations, farmers, and stakeholder groups.
• Assist with economic development, capacity building, and promotion of Local Food and farm businesses and agritourism in the foodshed.
• Support procedure, program development, and implementation at the HPF including the commercial kitchen, community gardens, New Century Farm, Land Access Program, Healing Trail, and other programs.
• Support the planning and execution of Johnson County hosted events at the HPF.
• Connect community stakeholders to HPF programs and events.
• Assist in advising the Board of Supervisors and other appropriate boards, commissions, and councils in regard to the impact of policies and programs on Local Food systems related topics.
• Coordinate with other governmental and non-profit entities to incorporate sustainable farming practices and supply chain resilience into existing climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
• Plan and implement impact evaluations and reports as appropriate.
• Collect and analyze data and metrics to measure the strength of Local Food systems.
• Assist with recordkeeping, data tracking, research, compliance, and reporting for grants supporting Local Food and the HPF.
• Plan, coordinate, and give educational presentations to local farmers, businesses, and community stakeholders.
• Participate in assigned internal and external committees. Coordinate and attend assigned meetings, provide staff support as needed.
• Provide back up for HPF events and duties.
• Perform general clerical duties such as filing, scanning, typing, and photocopying.
• Attend work-related meetings, trainings, and conferences.
• Perform all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices.
• Attend work regularly at the designated place and time.

Resume and cover letter must be attached to online application.
Employee Benefits
The following is a summary of benefits for full-time, non-bargaining County employees. Benefits, privileges and duties for employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement may vary depending on specific contract provisions.
Compensation
Employees serve a six-month probationary period and are eligible for meritorious performance compensation increases based upon performance evaluations. Across the board compensation increases are considered by the Board of Supervisors, and are made effective July 1 annually.
Vacation

• During 1st through 4th years: 3 working weeks
• During 4th through 9th years: 4 working weeks
• During 9th through 19th years: 5 working weeks
• During 19th or later years: 6 working weeks

Holidays
12 paid holidays per year plus 2 personal holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King's Birthday
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Juneteenth
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day and day after
• Christmas
• Floating Christmas holiday

Sick Leave
Accrues at the rate of 18 days per year on a per-pay period basis to a maximum accrual of 120 days. After accumulation of 90 sick days, employees may convert sick leave to vacation on a 4:1 basis.
Parental Leave
A paid two-week (80 hour) paid parental leave is provided to full-time benefit eligible parents to allow for child bonding time. This includes child's birth, adoption, placement in the home or court appointed guardianship.
Wellness Program
Voluntary wellness activities, screenings, educational opportunities and incentives are offered throughout the year for employees and their families.
Employee Assistance Program
Employees and their families may contact Synchrony for free EAP counseling and referral services.
Health Care Coverage
Eligible employees may elect health care coverage the first of the month following one full month of employment.

• Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa is the third party administrator for this self-funded plan
• PPO with 90/10 in-network and 80/20 out-of-network co-insurance; $275 deductible single or $550 deductible family; $1000 out-of-pocket maximum single or $2000 out -of-pocket maximum family
• Single coverage is $32/month for eligible full-time employees; family coverage is $112.00/month.

Dental Care Coverage
Eligible employees may elect dental care coverage the first of the month following one full month of employment. Single coverage is paid by the County for eligible full-time employees; family coverage is a cost between the County and employee.
Vision Care Coverage
Eligible employees may elect vision care coverage the first of the month following one full month of employment. Single coverage is paid by the County for eligible full-time employees; family coverage is a cost between the County and employee.
Flexible Spending
Eligible employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out-of-pocket health, dental and vision expenses that are not reimbursable through another source. Employees may also set aside pre-tax dollars for dependent care expenses.
Life Insurance
Eligible full-time employees are covered after 60 days of employment. Coverage is 1 times annualized compensation rounded up to the nearest thousand in group term life insurance and AD&D. Max covered salary $100,000.
*Supplemental Life Insurance
The County offers to all benefit-eligible employees additional life insurance coverage that may be purchased for employees, spouses and children at guarantee basis.
Long-Term Disability
Eligible full-time employees are covered after 60 days of employment. County provides up to 2 years of long term disability coverage at 66 2/3% of the employees wages as a result of injury, sickness or pregnancy; employees may opt to purchase additional coverage.
IPERS
Iowa Public Employee Retirement System is a mandatory defined benefit retirement plan designed to supplement both Social Security and private savings. Non law-enforcement employees contribute 6.29% and the County contributes 9.44%.
Deferred Compensation (457)
A deferred compensation plan is offered that provides tax advantages and an additional means in which to save for retirement with an easy payroll deduction. Employees may select from several companies offering deferred compensation. The County will match up to $40/biweekly, and employees are vested on day 1.
Discounted Bus Pass
Full-time and part-time employees are eligible to purchase discounted bus passes for Iowa City Transit and Coralville Transit for commuting to/from their jobs as Johnson County employees. Bus pass availability is subject to available funds and continuation of the program.
Johnson County is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer.
Women, minorities and elderly are encouraged to apply.