Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network Coordinator in Remote in Vermont
SeasonalJob Description
Position Title: Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network Coordinator
Supervisor: Farm to School Director
Employee Status: Year Round; Part Time (20 – 24 hours/week on average)*
*Potential opportunity to work in various roles across the farm to build a Full Time schedule (30+hours/week) which enables this position to be benefit-eligible. If interested, this will be discussed in your interview.
Exemption: Hourly; Non-Exempt
Location: Remote, hybrid or in-person (your choice)
Travel: Up to 20% travel throughout VT
Salary Range: $26 – $29/hour
The Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Network is seeking a motivated, collaborative, strategic and multi-skilled coordinator with a proven ability to foster coordination and alignment among diverse partners. The successful applicant will have excellent facilitation and communication skills, and will become a core part of Shelburne Farms and the Vermont FEED projects staff team.
Background: The Vermont Farm to School Network was created in 2009 to provide statewide leadership, coordination, and advocacy to advance new and existing Farm to School efforts in Vermont classrooms, cafeterias and communities. Network members are identified by their participation in the statewide FTS Network listserv, Action Teams, collaborative projects and events.
Our Vision: Every Vermont student and school community is engaged in a local food and farm culture that nurtures childrens health, cultivates viable farms, and builds vibrant communities.
Since 2009, the Network has been guided by a Steering Committee called the Common Circle, and coordinated by one of the Steering Committee members: Vermont FEED. More information on the Network’s background and structure can be found here.
In 2014, the Network Steering Committee embarked on a systems mapping process to identify the key levers of change in the VT Farm to School system to create a systems level strategy for achieving our vision and for re-organizing the Network to take action. A shared goal for Vermont farm to school was identified (and updated in 2022):
Our Goal: By 2030, every educational community in Vermont connects classrooms, cafeterias, and communities with equitable access to integrated food system education, community-based learning, and 30% local food purchasing that promotes climate resilience and social justice.
Sixty farm to school leaders representing 37 organizations participated in the process. The Network formed five Strategic Action Teams around five key levers of change to collaborate on a cohesive, integrated set of high impact projects that can move the Network towards its goal. The Network also created a Common Circle to serve as the coordinating body for activities and communication of the Network. In 2021, the VT Farm to Early Childhood Coalition was brought under the umbrella of the VT FTS Network and re-branded as the VT FTS&EC Network.
The Network has a self-managing structure with shared leadership and decision making, focused on the project-based work that must be done to achieve our collective goal. Vermont FEED, a project of Shelburne Farms and NOFA-VT, serves as the backbone for the Network.
Who Were Looking for
You will be working with and across multiple interests and members to foster learning, collaboration, and innovation that advances our common goal. You will track progress toward goals, coordinate the efforts of Action Teams, manage Network events and assist with communications. A nuanced understanding of what it takes to affect systems change, particularly in the food system, is key.
You will work closely with, and be supervised by, Shelburne Farms Farm to School Director and will collaborate with other staff, Vermont FEED partners and Network members to provide backbone support to the Network, with the goal of strengthening the following Network attributes :
Awareness of each Action Teams strategies, activities and roles and their progress relative to one another
Alignment of each Action Teams goals, strategies, activities and roles such that they support one another and the Networks goal at large.
Action effective implementation that advances the Network goal and its commitments to members, partners, and funders.
Centering diversity, equity and belonging
What Youll Do
Network Coordination
Facilitate Monthly Common Circle calls
Plan and facilitate annual in-person Network gatherings
Coordinate Action Team goal setting and strategies
Manage Network database
Build ongoing relationships, maintain positive partnerships with (and serve as a resource for) both statewide and regional partners and practitioners
Network Communications
Coordinate blog posts and other activities with Shelburne Farms communications staff
Activate listserv use, posting regular updates to the Network
Conduct outreach to engage new members
Serve as an ambassador for the vision, goals and work of the Network
Network Development
Draft progress reports for funders and the Network
Implement outreach and capacity-building efforts in the southwestern corner of the state
Network Strategy
Re-energize Action Teams
Revisit systems map levers
Engage new Network members and partners
Expand efforts to center equity
Strengthen the Networks integration of early childhood stakeholders and goals
Core Qualifications
Experience developing and maintaining highly collaborative relationships, including with public and private stakeholders
Outstanding facilitation skills and experience, including multi-stakeholder meetings and processes, both in-person and virtual
Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal
Project management: highly organized with attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
Experience with or strong interest in collaborative network and/or collective impact models
Ability to grasp complex systems change strategies for collective impact
Comfort with multi-tasking, independent work environment with good time management skills
Comfort with technology that supports collaborative and remote work and communications, including Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Constant Contact, etc.
Effectively communicate and connect with diverse groups of people and across lines of difference.
Knowledge of farm to school and early childhood in Vermont preferred
Additional Valued Qualifications
Strong personal commitment to the Networks vision and goals
Reflective learner: self-aware and seeks to learn and refine skill set, eager for feedback and engaging in ongoing reflective practices
Accountability, flexibility/adaptability, attention to detail, sense of humor and enthusiasm
Ability to work remote as well as in a shared office space, with regular statewide travel
Work Environment & Physical Demands
Sedentary role primarily working at a computer
Some travel throughout the state of Vermont (20% travel); primarily to Central and Southwest Vermont
Benefits
If specific eligibility requirements are met, we offer a 401(k) with the potential for company match, paid sick time and a separate Covid sick pay plan.
Additionally, we offer a 30% discount on Farm products and a CSA share from the farm.
Deadline to Apply
September 30, 2023
To Apply
Submit a resume and response to the following questions:
What about theFarm to School Networks System Changestrategy are you most excited to be a part of and help us achieve? Check out our website at VermontFarmtoSchool.org to review our full strategy.
How do your experiences, values, and/or efforts demonstrate your commitment to the values of diversity, justice, and equity?
How did you hear about the position?
Shelburne Farms is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are strongly encouraged to apply. The duties and responsibilities described herein are not intended to be a complete and comprehensive list; additional tasks may be assigned to this position from time to time, and the scope of the position may change based on operational demands.
Job Type: Part Time
Pay: $26.00 – $29.00 per hour
Expected hours: 20 24 per week
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Employee discount
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Application Question(s):
All applicants must complete a response to the application questions outlined in the “To Apply” section of job description. You may attach your response to your application here or submit it to jobs@shelburnefarms.org
Willingness to travel:
25% (Required)
Work Location: Remote
How to Apply
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