Position Summary

The Farm to School Coordinator will work with county and district staff to implement programs that support schools in providing fresh, locally sourced foods in school meal programs while also facilitating projects and activities that enable students to learn about local agriculture and healthy eating.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position is a coordinator position to further develop and support Farm to School programs in school districts/charter schools throughout Humboldt County.

• Serves as a resource for school nutrition professionals, teachers, and administrators on local procurement and integration of agriculture and community food systems education.
• Builds collaborative relationships with school districts/charter schools, farmers, and community partners.
• Understands laws related to local procurement and organic waste.
• Helps school districts navigate and comply with state and federal regulations.
• Represents HCOE at regional and statewide farm to school networks.
• Identifies funding sources for ongoing support of farm to school efforts.

Supervision Received and Exercised

This position reports to the Department Manager and serves under limited supervision, subject to organizational and program policies and procedures.

Examples of Duties

• Build capacity of school districts and charter schools to implement and overcome barriers in their Farm to School programs.
• Provide support to school nutrition professionals to source and promote local food in their school meal programs.
• Provide technical assistance to school districts/charter schools in developing local purchasing protocols that comply with federal regulations.
• Co-plan and facilitate school nutrition networking meetings (including virtual and in-person meetings).
• Develop, plan and provide appropriate training for school nutrition professionals.
• Plan and implement marketing, outreach and events to strengthen farmer-buyer relationships.
• Engage community partners and strategically leverage partnerships to improve program impact.
• Participate in strategic planning and fundraising as needed.
• Manage online communications and outreach.
• Work with the Communications Center to keep program information and materials updated on the HCOE web site.
• Write grants, track progress and prepare narrative reports.
• Promote Farm to School events such as cafeteria tastings and farm field trips.
• Develop Farm to School educational materials for the K-12 setting such as farmer profiles, farm videos, and school garden resources.
• Develop program evaluation methods and surveys, analyze data and prepare statistical reports.
• Attend program related meetings and conferences as needed.

Qualifications/Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Local food systems and sustainable agriculture;
• Racial and social equity issues within the food system;
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)and California Department of Education (CDE) regulations and guidelines as they pertain to local procurement;
• Community, regional, state, and federal Farm to School resources;
• Appropriate nutrition education curricula and instructional materials; Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Adobe Create Cloud Suite, MailChimp (or equivalent), iMovie, Zoom, and web based social media programs.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Research, design and make oral presentation to small and large groups;
• Plan and implement developmentally-appropriate programs/trainings for adults and children;
• Establish and maintain effective, positive, and cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Maintain meticulous records and manage program tracking;
• Write grants and prepare information, statistical, and narrative reports;
• Work effectively independently, with minimal supervision, as well as collaborate with others in team setting;
• Adapt to changing work demands;
• Manage task priorities to meet deadline;
• Work effectively under varying degrees of stress;
• Work occasional weekends and evenings;
• Lift/move materials generally weighing less than 50 pounds.

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education

• Bachelors’ Degree in agricultural education, food systems, nutrition or similarly related field. Masters’ degree preferred.

Experience

• At least two years’ experience in project management working with farmers and/or school nutrition programs.
• Experience in organizing/managing grant-funded programs, public speaking and public relations, and Spanish language proficiency are also highly desirable.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Stand, sit and/or move about for sustained periods.
• Move about in non-traditional instructional environments; i.e., areas of the community.
• Daily oral and written communication.
• Speaking and hearing ability to sufficiently hear over the phone and carry on routine conversations.
• Operating a computer, calculator, copier and other equipment that involves repetitive arm and hand movements.
• Hand-eye-arm and finger dexterity.
• Visual acuity sufficient to recognize people, words and numbers.

Work Environment

The following conditions may be present:

• This position may require traveling to local farms and transporting food and materials to districts throughout the county during inclement weather.
• May be required to adjust work hours in a reasonable manner to accommodate program needs.

Other Requirements

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.
• TB testing will be required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6 to 12 months of employment.
• May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require a California driver’s license, proof of insurance and possible participation in the DMV PUll Notice Program once employed.

Range 17 | Personnel Commission Approved: December 12, 2022