Farm to Youth Network Coordinator

Hiring Organization: Center for Regional Food Systems
Employment type: Full-Time
Application Due Date: January 7, 2025

The Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) within the Department of Community Sustainability is seeking a Farm to Youth Network Coordinator to join our team.

The mission of the Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) at Michigan State University (MSU) is to engage the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in applied research, education, and outreach to develop regionally integrated, sustainable food systems.

 The successful candidate will serve as the Farm to Youth Network Coordinator and will collaborate with statewide stakeholders virtually and in-person to develop and grow partnerships in farm to early care and education (Farm to ECE), farm to school (K-12), and farm to institution spaces. They will work with CRFS staff and other stakeholders to create appropriate knowledge products, resources, and other creative forms of scholarship in a timely fashion for diverse audiences, including academics, practitioners, stakeholders, and the public. They will actively engage in outreach, including the provision of technical assistance, in farm to ECE, farm to school, and farm to institution, including collaboration with CRFS colleagues and/or external partners.

CRFS recognizes that racism in the food system is historic, ongoing, and systemic. As we collaborate with partners to advance food systems rooted in local regions and centered on food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable, we emphasize racial equity as a foundation of our work.

Salary: $58,000- $62,000. Salary Commensurate with Experience

Application Deadline: 11:55pm January 7, 2024

Find the full position description and apply at Careers at MSU job posting #1008512

Apply here

Position responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Collaboration and Facilitation of Networks

Support with and sometimes lead facilitation of Michigan Farm to ECE, Michigan Farm to School, and Michigan Farm to Institution networks, including leveraging connections across networks to strengthen the Michigan food system.
Oversee Michigan Farm to ECE and Farm to School Networks, including event coordination and day-to-day responsibilities.
Support the oversight of Michigan Farm to Institution Network (MFIN), including event coordination and day-to-day responsibilities.
Manage newsletter communications across networks, including organization of stakeholder management software.
Coordinate creation and distribution of social media for Networks in collaboration with Communications Team.
Manage list serv and distribution of communication through Farm to ECE, Farm to School, Farm to Institution list serv.
Author content and create knowledge products for farm to ECE website (e.g., blog) in partnership with Network stakeholders and communications team.
Add content to farm to ECE Network and MFIN websites (e.g., resources) in partnership with communications team.
Represent Farm to ECE, Farm to School, and Farm to Institution in relevant stakeholder meetings and events.
Support with National Farm to Youth work when relevant.
Write grant proposals and reports and pursue future grant funding to maintain and grow the work.

Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub Technical Assistance

Leverage Michigan Farm to Youth and Michigan Farm to Institution Network connections to support efforts to build a resilient farm to ECE and farm to school space in Michigan by leading the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub Grant Technical Assistance including pre and post award support.
Coordinate Innovation Hub Grantee meetings, events, and reporting.
Oversee outreach and marketing in partnership with communications team.
Participate in Innovation Hub internal team meetings and stay current on relevant assignments and activities as part of the state lead team.
Actively participate and support Grantor communications.
Support with required grant reporting.

Other Duties

Contribute to relationship-building and regularly convene and/or collaborate with CRFS staff and state, regional, and national partners virtually and in person.
Maintain regular internal and external communication about project activities.
In partnership with supervisor, develop and implement and yearly workplan (performance plan) including but not limited to goals, personal development, and future support meetings.
Actively participate in CRFS staff and strategic meetings and stay current on CRFS projects, activities, resources, and publications as relevant to this work. Organize, document, and share activities internally within CRFS. 
Attend (in-person attendance is required) quarterly staff retreats / workshops.  
Represent projects and initiatives of CRFS professionally through all forms of outreach and communication. This includes occasionally attending network and programmatic meetings and events outside of direct network connections.  
Document and share project work and accomplishments utilizing University software reporting system (PEARS).
Other duties as assigned.

Current MSU Benefit Highlights

Compensation for this support staff position includes generous paid time off; a 10% retirement match with a 5% employee contribution to the base retirement plan; health and dental insurance plan options with premiums paid fully by MSU; education assistance benefits for employee and dependents; employer-paid life insurance; and a large menu of voluntary benefits. Details can be found in the Support Staff Open Enrollment Guide and respective collective bargaining agreements on the MSU Human Resources website at https://hr.msu.edu.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Educational Theory and Methodology and/or a specialization in the designated area of expertise; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in planning and overseeing seminars and conferences including public relations, organizing and disseminating training materials and information both written and web-based; budget and records maintenance and computer support; experience in supervision, database, spreadsheet, word processing, desktop publishing, knowledge of HTML programming and web site development and management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

At least two years of work experience in Farm to Youth, Farm to Institution or food systems related programming.
At least two years of experience with implementing equity-based programming with multicultural and diverse communities (does not have to be job-related).
Proven ability to effectively and diplomatically engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups.
Understanding of, and committed to, a culture of anti-racism and inclusivity.   
Demonstrated resourcefulness, collaboration, and ability to problem-solve and think critically.  
Proven ability to self-direct and balance multiple streams of programming, projects, and deliverables simultaneously and to easily shift between working independently and collaboratively, including as part of or leading a team.  Highly organized.
Demonstrated leadership and project and team management skills in collaborative work environments.
High degree of knowledge of, and comfort and flexibility with, using technology in completing job requirements including Microsoft Office suite; online search, file-sharing, and collaboration platforms.
Demonstrated strong written and verbal communications skills and experience using a broad range of communication tactics, this includes experience writing and implementing grants.
Available and willing to occasionally travel by car throughout the state and by plane within the U.S., including overnight.
Residency within the state of Michigan and familiarity with the food systems landscape.

Required Application Materials

CV or resume
Cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position. Include a statement of your philosophy that specifically addresses the alignment between your goals and the MSU Center for Regional Food System’s commitment to racial equity as expressed in its Racial Equity Statement, including a summary of your experience with, or interest in working in, diverse communities and with diverse stakeholders.
Names and contact information of three (3) professional references.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Status

This is an off-dated position funded for 12 months from date of hire with annual extension contingent upon funding.

Remote Friendly

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment, and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.