Farm to School Program Coordinator

Chicopee Public Schools•Chicopee, MA

About The Position

Leads a coordinated and cohesive effort to increase farm to school activities across the district. Works with food service director to maintain goal of purchasing 15% local food and menuing local items at least once a week. Manages and maintains all school gardens and acts as a resource person to teachers and principals to ensure that gardens are utilized to their full potential and do not fall into despair. Places all local food orders. Ensures the implementation and sustainability of Salad Days programming at all elementary schools. Applies for all grants applicable to farm to school activities (including garden, sustainability, equipment, etc.) in conjunction with the Grants Department and responsible for subsequent reporting and evaluation. Leads community outreach efforts to spread the mission of Chicopee FRESH, recruit volunteers, and encourage healthy changes across the city. Coordinates district level nutrition and garden programming initiatives such as the Chicopee Pumpkin contest, Salad Days, Center Fresh farmer's market table, workshops at the Chicopee Public Library, etc. Responsible for establishing FTS guidelines and creating a handbook for future service members and interns with information about local ordering, menu creation, marketing, grant writing, garden maintenance, etc. Maintains and expands partnerships with community organizations (e.g. Boys and Girls Club, Chicopee Public Library, Lorraine's Soup Kitchen, etc.)

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, or related field, from an accredited college or university
Requires the ability to effectively and skillfully convey information to a wide variety of audiences including students, teachers, parents, community organizations, administrators, press, etc.
Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, evaluations, grants, surveys, articles, press releases, brochures, blog posts, handbooks, budgets, etc.
Requires the ability to speak before diverse audiences with poise, voice control, and confidence.
Requires the ability to manage social media accounts and create/maintain an online presence for Chicopee FRESH.
Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including computers, copiers, garden tools, etc.
Must be able to work outside under a variety of weather conditions year round.
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand, crouch, squat, and bend over for a long period of time at intervals throughout the day.
Requires hand-eye coordination and dexterity in handling garden equipment and tools.
Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, newsletters, schedules, manuals, invoices, requisitions, menus, recipes, journals, etc.
Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Requires the ability to deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently.
Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using equipment.
Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and hand tools.
Must have minimal levels je/hand/foot coordination.
Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
Requires the ability to talk (express or exchange ideas by means of spoken words) and hear (perceive nature of sounds by ear).
Must be able to communicate via telephone.

Nice To Haves

2-years of experience in farm to school programming, nutrition, or other related field, preferred
Proficiency in Spanish preferred but not required)

Responsibilities

Leads a coordinated and cohesive effort to increase farm to school activities across the district.
Works with food service director to maintain goal of purchasing 15% local food and menuing local items at least once a week.
Manages and maintains all school gardens and acts as a resource person to teachers and principals to ensure that gardens are utilized to their full potential and do not fall into despair.
Places all local food orders.
Ensures the implementation and sustainability of Salad Days programming at all elementary schools.
Applies for all grants applicable to farm to school activities (including garden, sustainability, equipment, etc.) in conjunction with the Grants Department and responsible for subsequent reporting and evaluation.
Leads community outreach efforts to spread the mission of Chicopee FRESH, recruit volunteers, and encourage healthy changes across the city.
Coordinates district level nutrition and garden programming initiatives such as the Chicopee Pumpkin contest, Salad Days, Center Fresh farmer's market table, workshops at the Chicopee Public Library, etc.
Responsible for establishing FTS guidelines and creating a handbook for future service members and interns with information about local ordering, menu creation, marketing, grant writing, garden maintenance, etc.
Maintains and expands partnerships with community organizations (e.g. Boys and Girls Club, Chicopee Public Library, Lorraine's Soup Kitchen, etc.)