The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) is a statewide network established in 2011 with a mission to promote a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable food system. We cultivate partnerships, develop and implement high-impact projects and advocate for good food policy. We center equity in our work, which touches all parts of the food chain – production, harvesting, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management. We operate with a volunteer board, a professional staff, and hundreds of members and partners from across the Ocean State. More information about RIFPC can be found at www.rifoodcouncil.org.
RIFPC is embarking on a three-year project “From Food Waste to Opportunity.” This project will reduce greenhouse gases and fight food insecurity by a multi-partner effort working in climate justice communities to provide food waste reduction training, surplus food donation technical assistance and free composting options. We seek two self-motivated, outgoing, full-time Community Climate Justice Project Managers, one serving Providence / Pawtucket / Central Falls and one serving Newport / Middletown. These positions will report directly to the Food, Climate & Environment Program Director.
The primary day-to-day objectives of these two roles are to work with low-income community members and community leaders on base-building, training, education, and leadership development among low-income community members. The Managers will be responsible for community leader and member involvement in all aspects of our EPA Environment and Climate Community Change Grant, From Food Waste to Opportunity, working to increase excess food donation and food waste composting. The managers will provide input on EPA Grant activities and work with project leaders, partners and other supporters to assist with implementing the EPA From Food Waste to Opportunity Project and each will recruit 10 stipended community members per year to join a community Opportunity Rising Board (ORB) and hold monthly ORB Meetings as a forum to:
Participate in leadership development through RIFPC’s Food Leaders Lab;
Perform community outreach and education about the causes and impacts of excess
food and food waste being landfilled; and
Recruit neighbors to join neighborhood campaigns to increase food waste
composting
The Managers will co-facilitate ORB meetings with the Program Director and member leaders and implement educational and leadership development training throughout the year. They will also play a critical role working with project partners and other supporters in
their assigned communities to assist with implementing aspects of the EPA From Food
Waste to Opportunity project.
The Community Climate Justice Project Managers will work closely with the Program Director, Policy & Civic Education Manager, Engagement Manager, Grant and Finance Director, Associate Director, Executive Director, and an external evaluator on EPA grant tracking and reporting for outcomes within their geographic zone, and will help ensure successful execution of all community-level activities in their zone as laid out in the EPA Community Change Grant awards.
The ideal candidates for this position will be:
Experienced in community organizing, including outreach in low-income communities, facilitation of community meetings, gathering and sharing qualitative input, and coordinating collaborative decision-making processes.
An open, confident communicator. Someone who is comfortable speaking to community leaders, community groups in settings like libraries, schools, and senior centers, and is also comfortable engaging in one-on-one conversations with diverse individuals.
An accountable teammate. Someone who can be relied on to manage multiple deadlines, complete activities on time, and ensure that all appropriate staff are kept up-to-date on a regular basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide input on EPA Grant activities and work with project leaders, community leaders, partners and other supporters to assist with implementing the EPA From Food Waste to Opportunity Project
Network, build relationships with, and serve as a liaison to community groups, area funders, municipal government staff, and other decision makers
Work under the supervision of the Food, Climate & Environment Program Director and the Policy & Civic Education Manager to research, design, and implement a program for approximately 10 low-income community members to join a stipended Opportunity Rising Board (ORB)
Work with the ORB, and project partners in direct outreach campaigns to sign up participants from their community in free composting drop-off and pick-up programs
Work with the Program Director and a graphic designer to co-create ORB training materials related to the EPA grant program goals and objectives
JOB DESCRIPTION
Plan and host community food waste reduction trainings, educational meetings, and other events, with ORB members and independently, to share lessons on why preventing food waste is important, accessible, and how to do it properly
Help implement the RIFPC “Food Leaders Lab” Training Program with the ORB members in collaboration with RIFPC Policy and Civic Education Manager, using RIFPC’s four-module training curriculum. This 8-week training is designed to deepen community members’ skills and knowledge base to become effective community food advocates and leaders
Facilitate monthly ORB Meetings to provide opportunities for members to discuss operational issues with grant implementation; learn about the political process; discuss current events related to food, environmental, climate, and economic justice that are impacting the community; and identify upcoming advocacy and organizing opportunities
Support ORB members in selecting local artists to be stipended as cultural educators, creating works of art that beautify the food waste collection and processing areas to make them feel safe and welcoming; provide educational information on gardening and composting; and increase community engagement with the project.
Conduct regular community outreach to build awareness and increase participation in events and activities
Maintain updated statistics about community member involvement using an online tracking and reporting database
Work with an external evaluator to implement pre- and post-program surveys, and report back to ORB members and partner organizations with data
Participate in regular RIFPC staff meetings and events
Connect ORB members and others to RIFPC events and programs
Other duties may be assigned by the Program Director to support grant
implementation functions
2 years previous experience working as a community organizer with low-income communities, including internships, and volunteering
Bachelor’s Degree preferred; minimum Associate’s Degree required.
Community organizing experience working with residents of low-income
communities preferred
Outgoing personality and ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds.
Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage diverse projects simultaneously
Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills and self-
motivation
Positive, proactive, and personable team player
Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
Expertise in social media and digital communication
Special interest in building power among low-income people of color to fight for
social, economic, environmental, and racial justice
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