Sustainable Southeast Partnership Food Systems Catalyst

Ecotrust

3h • Remote

About The Position

The SSP Regional Food Systems Catalyst is a strategic, systems-level role responsible for identifying, resourcing, and advancing region-wide food systems initiatives across Southeast Alaska. This position requires someone who can hold the big picture of an interconnected food system — spanning local food production and regenerative agriculture, food and agriculture entrepreneurship, food waste recovery and circular economies, and subsistence and wild harvest practices — while also driving concrete implementation on the ground. The Catalyst works both independently and collaboratively, functioning as a self-directed leader and as a trusted partner within a distributed network of community, Tribal, and organizational partners. Ecotrust’s food sovereignty vision for Southeast Alaska includes a reliable supply of wild foods, regenerative agriculture, circular economies with nutrient and waste recovery systems, equitable access to fresh and nutritious foods, and strengthening of local and traditional/Indigenous food system knowledge and engagement. The Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) is a diverse network of organizations and individuals working together to reach cultural, ecological and economic prosperity for our communities and region. Together with our partners, we focus our work on four key issue areas that we believe can inspire widespread change across Southeast Alaska: localized economies, food security, energy independence, and fisheries and forestry management. This role works across the following food systems domains: Local food production and regenerative agriculture, Food and agriculture entrepreneurship and rural economic development, Food waste recovery, composting, and circular/nutrient recovery systems, Subsistence practices and wild harvest, including traditional and Indigenous food systems, Regional food access, distribution, and food security infrastructure.

Requirements

• 5 years transferable experience or equivalent combination of academic, lived, professional experience in business administration, rural development, community development, food systems or related fields
• At least 3 years working knowledge and experience in Southeast Alaskan communities
• At least 3 years experience working with Tribal Nations, Tribal organizations, and Tribal entities
• Experience working with entrepreneurs or rural economic development
• Experience facilitating diverse stakeholder groups
• Excellent program management and design skills
• Experience applying deep topical expertise and a systems-based, holistic approach to analysis to build partnerships and deliver training, support, and technical assistance that advances program goals and responds to environmental and social contexts.
• Track record of taking ownership for mistakes and being accountable for repair work
• Proven experience cultivating relationships to advocate for and support historically marginalized individuals and groups.
• Facilitation of inclusive, collaborative processes that support shared decision-making; adapts approach, pace, and tone to meet group needs while encouraging openness, curiosity, and participation from all, especially those most impacted, through active listening and thoughtful engagement.
• Fosters inclusive collaboration and thoughtful decision-making by actively seeking and incorporating diverse perspectives, communicating with curiosity, and adapting approach and engagement style to meet the needs of partners, clients, and evolving situations.
• Drives organized, responsive execution of projects and programs by prioritizing work based on realistic timelines and inclusive processes, coordinating deliverables, tracking progress, and following through on updates, action items, and next steps, even in complex or changing environments.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree, or lived experience and/or professional experience with food systems, public health/food policy, or sustainable agriculture/agroecology.
• Experience working with collective impact networks
• Experience with productivity software such as Asana or other project management software.

Responsibilities

• Regional strategy and program design: Lead the development of multi-partner, region-wide food systems initiatives that translate community-identified priorities into fundable, scalable programs that build lasting regional capacity
• Strategy and program development: Work with community partners and SSP partners to develop regional and community based programs that match the opportunities identified by community partners.
• Program oversight and capacity building: Manage and resource a portfolio of initiatives across the food systems spectrum — including production, entrepreneurship, waste recovery, and wild/subsistence harvest — while building lasting community and partner capacity to lead this work.
• Cross-sector systems coordination: Actively map, connect, and align efforts across the region’s food system — including production agriculture, food entrepreneurship, food waste and nutrient recovery, and subsistence and wild harvest — to reduce duplication, surface gaps, and leverage collective resources. Serve as a connective node between communities, funders, Tribal organizations, and SSP partners.
• Grant writing and reporting: Reporting on activities funded through various grants, and securing funding for future projects.
• SSP responsibilities: Participate in all SSP Network retreats, monthly hangouts, regional meetings, and associated activities.
• Ecotrust responsibilities: Participate in Ecotrust all staff meetings, trainings, and retreats. Join regular Coastal Communities and Fisheries and Southeast Food Systems team meetings. Be actively engaged in Ecotrust’s culture.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee contributions scaled to income
• tax-deferred and Roth retirement plans with employer base contributions
• term life insurance
• disability coverage
• professional development
• personal growth
• plentiful paid time off
• retreats
• summer fun days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees