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Job Posting: Farm to Institution Campaign Director

September 2015

The Ecology Center seeks a Farm to Institution Campaign Director to provide leadership and help connect the dots between our unhealthy industrialized food system and a ‘Good Food System’ for Michiganders and beyond. The position is primarily responsible for the success of Michigan Farm to Institution Network (MFIN) and its local food purchasing campaign Cultivate Michigan, an effort that was launched in 2014 and is co-led by the Ecology Center and the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems to work toward the goal of the Michigan Good Food Charter that institutions source 20% of their food locally by the year 2020. Furthermore, as an organizer for Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), the position will help determine regional specific projects to help move national sustainable food systems campaigns forward in and around the Great Lakes.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Farm to Institution Campaign Director is a full-time position providing support to Ecology Center’s Sustainable Food, Healthy Communities program. It will help to direct the strategies and activities, identify and pursue opportunities to leverage funding, fill education and resource gaps and cultivate leadership within MFIN and Cultivate Michigan while recruiting members and participants and supporting key projects and partners. In addition to essential, ongoing responsibilities of the co-lead role, some ongoing duties of this position will include managing key functions of Cultivate Michigan website and accounts, working with outside developers as necessary; supporting content development for communications; providing maintenance and dissemination of resources, including, but not limited to informational brochures, purchasing guides and promotional materials; and assisting with event coordination, logistics and facilitation. There will be opportunities for special projects related to procurement and supply chain activities, which will be added to the set of responsibilities as determined by the Sustainable Foods, Healthy Communities team.

Requirements

Existing relationships, experience in, or knowledge around movements related to Farm to Institution, local, sustainable food production and/or procurement, supply chains-value chains and institutional food service operations;
Experience with facilitating groups and with participatory decision making. Confidence planning and facilitating effective meetings that encourage broad participation, and experience with horizontal organizations and distributed leadership is a plus;
Entrepreneurial orientation and start-up experience. This position will be fast-paced, open-ended and will require a high degree of self-reliance, self-motivation, determination, willingness to learn, and ability to connect the dots among best practices, data, projects, partners and funders;
Ability to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups, including practitioners, community members, organizational partners and funders;
Passionate about environmental sustainability and supporting the development of sustainable food systems that protect public and environmental health;
Ability to balance multiple simultaneous projects and to easily shift between working independently and as part of a team;
Demonstrated project leadership; strong self-initiative, critical thinking and problem solving skills; sound judgment and good habits of consulting with others;
Strong verbal and written communication, including experience in writing content for websites, social media, blogs and/or press releases, and experience in preparing and delivering presentations and group facilitation;
Minimum Bachelor’s degree in a related field, Masters degree or higher preferred.









Desirable Qualifications

Solid grasp of environmental issues pertaining to environmental health;
Experience with grant writing and program development; and
Strong computer skills are necessary including experience with, but not limited to: Microsoft Office Suite, social media, content management systems (CMS), graphic design and Adobe Creative Suite; additionally, the following skills are desired, but not required: web-based advocacy/organizing, email marketing software and Drupal experience.



Hours and Compensation

This is a permanent, full-time position at 40 hours per week with a primary base in the downtown Ann Arbor office and option to work from our Detroit office. Most work will be Monday-Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Some travel required.  Salary is commensurate with relevant professional experience. The Ecology Center offers very generous benefits, including medical, dental and retirement. The position offers opportunity for educational and professional development. It includes some shared organizational responsibilities and office duties. Ecology Center staff actively participate in organizational decision-making. This position is a great opportunity for a creative person to make a difference working with outstanding colleagues for a nationally respected public interest organization.

About the Ecology Center

The Ecology Center is a Michigan-based nonprofit environmental organization that works at the local, state, and national levels for clean production, healthy communities, environmental justice, and a sustainable future. Founded in 1970, the Ecology Center has developed many of the most innovative environmental programs in Michigan and the Midwest. We employ market campaigns, policy initiatives, educational programs, technical assistance, and community organizing to address our top priorities – Environmental Health, Climate & Energy, Sustainable Local Communities, and Green Business. The Ecology Center is committed to diversity and inclusion in our internal practices and opportunities, and in how we fulfill our mission of working for healthy people and a healthy planet. The Ecology Center is an equal
opportunity employer.

About Michigan Farm to Institution Network & Cultivate Michigan

The Michigan Farm to Institution Network is a space for learning, sharing and working together to get more local food to institutions. It aims to meet the Michigan Good Food Charter goal of 20% Michigan food to institutions by 2020. Three subcommittees steer the Network’s activities, including Cultivate Michigan, a statewide local food purchasing campaign. It works to help 1) Farmers and food suppliers offer the local foods institutions want in the ways they need; 2) Institutions such as hospitals, schools, preschools and colleges find, buy and use local foods; and 3) Eaters at institutions identify, value and enjoy local foods.

Salary and Benefits

Commensurate with experience, with a generous benefits package including health, dental, FSA, 403(b), ongoing training, and growth opportunities. Upbeat, collaborative, and goal-oriented office atmosphere. The Ecology Center is committed to diversity and inclusion in our internal practices and opportunities, and in how we fulfill our mission of working for healthy people and a healthy planet. For more about our values and work in this area, see the Ecology Center Statement of Values on Diversity and Inclusion. The Ecology Center is an equal opportunity employer.

Application Procedure

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>, with “Farm to Institution Campaign Director” in the email subject. Please include where you heard about the position.

Applications accepted until October 1, 2015, or until position is filled. Only selected applicants will be contacted and invited for interview.

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Best,


Nicki Milgrom | Sustainable Food, Healthy Communities Director
Ecology Center

Michigan Regional Coordinator, Healthy Food in Health Care
Health Care Without Harm, US and Canada

339 E. Liberty St., Suite 300 | Ann Arbor, MI 48104
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> | www.ecocenter.org <http://www.ecocenter.org/> | www.healthyfoodinhealthcare.org <http://www.healthyfoodinhealthcare.org/> | Ph 734-369-9279 <>
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Healthy people and a healthy planet starts with YOU: www.ecocenter.org/give <https://org.salsalabs.com/o/1421/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=10604>