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JOB POSTING: FARM TO PLATE NETWORK MANAGER

SUMMARY:

In 2019, the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) was reauthorized by the Vermont state legislature to create the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030. Farm to Plate is responsible for overseeing both the development and implementation of this Plan.  

The Farm to Plate Network Manager will help support the Farm to Plate Network through its 2nd decade of state-level food system transformation through planning, facilitation, coordination, and project management. Support to the Network will be at the intersection between local food development and the following areas: food access, equity, healthcare and community health, workforce development and education systems (secondary and post-secondary education), food scrap management (food recovery, composting, etc.), agroforestry, farmland access and land use, racial equity within the food system, and community development. 

The Network Manager will provide facilitative leadership and project management support to Farm to Plate Network groups, cultivate partnerships and funding opportunities for Network projects, assist the Farm to Plate Director with setting and facilitating the strategic direction of the Farm to Plate Network, assist with annual reporting to the legislature and funders, provide project management to internal team projects, and act as a representative of Farm to Plate on key boards and committees (e.g., Farm to School Common Circle, state grant committees). The Network Manager must have the ability to travel within Vermont, as the job requires. 

This is an exempt, full-time position, reporting to the Farm to Plate Director. Salary will be $63,000 – $66,000/year. Employee health, dental, and vision insurance, HSA, paid holidays and combined time off, plus up to 3% SIMPLE IRA retirement contribution. This is a combined office and remote work position. 

The ideal applicant will have 5 years work experience with at least 3 years in related network development or systems change work. 

To apply, send cover letter and resume as 1 PDF to the Farm to Plate Director, Jake Claro, at jobs@vsjf.org by 5pm on 05/13/24.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Network Coordination, Facilitation, and Project Management 

• Works with Farm to Plate Director to provide facilitative leadership and support to the Farm to Plate Network’s Steering Committee, Priority Strategy Teams, Topic Exchanges, and Communities of Practice. 
• Recruits and cultivates leadership for Network groups. 
• In collaboration with Farm to Plate Network groups, identifies goals and supports the creation of work plans in alignment with goals and priority strategies of the 2021-2030 Strategic Plan. Designs and implements programs/projects that address these needs in collaboration with Network groups. Monitors progress and facilitates adaptive change during implementation according to evolving needs.  
• Provides project management and oversight to Network and VSJF initiated projects, including but not limited to: process design, research, applying to or supporting grant proposals, project outreach and partner development, report design/layout/editing, presentations and dissemination, and contributing content expertise as needed. 
• Works with the Farm to Plate team to provide logistical support to the Network (meeting logistics, meeting notes, etc.). 
• Helps organize annual Farm to Plate Network Gathering (e.g., cultivates breakout session submissions, helps to develop theme, recruit presenters, design plenary) and Leadership Retreat. 

• Works with food systems organizations to adapt and incorporate the goals and strategies contained in Vermont’s Farm to Plate food system plan to their organization, or local or regional community.  
• Maintains and cultivates positive relationships between local and state organizations, farm and food businesses, state agencies, and educational institutions to build consensus and community within the Farm to Plate Network. 
• Promotes and develops a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Farm to Plate Network. Implements strategies and develops leadership within the Network that supports the inclusion of diverse and marginalized populations.  
• Communicates and develops a collective understanding across the Farm to Plate Network of how the work of individual groups connects to the larger goal of strengthening Vermont’s food system. 
• Conducts statewide outreach, presentations, and educational activities that serve to expand participation and community engagement. 

Communication 

• Uses and maintains contact lists and databases to facilitate Network communication (e.g., list servs).  
• Cultivates Network member website story and content submissions. 
• Assists with creating Network outreach and educational resources and guides. 
• Provides content for monthly Farm to Plate eNews and assists with Farm to Plate communication related tasks, as assigned. 
• Helps prepare and present annual report covering Strategic Plan implementation progress to the Vermont Legislature and Governor. 
• Represents VSJF at meetings, as needed. 

 Research, Indicators, and Implementation Evaluation 

• Assists Farm to Plate Director and Farm to Plate Network Assistant with creating new, and maintaining existing, population indicators and performance measures for the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan’s 15 goals and 87 objectives. 
• Assists Farm to Plate Director with grant evaluation, reporting, and performance measurement tracking. 
• Assists Farm to Plate Director with research and resource development related to network theory and development. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: 

Experience: The ideal applicant should have at least 5 years work experience with at least 3 years in related network development or systems change work .

Education: Bachelor’s degree in food systems, sustainable development, community development, economics, natural resources, or related degree preferred.

The following represent additional competencies we value highly: experience with network and market development approaches and/or value chain development; knowledge and experience in VSJF’s industry sectors; project management; and grant management experience. 

Core Competencies and Qualifications:

• Strong personal commitment to VSJF’s mission of creating economic well-being that also enhances our physical environment and community health.
• Ability to manage programmatic consultants: providing guidance, maintaining accountability; increasing their effectiveness; and improving their access to resources able to assist businesses in this market sector.
• Leadership skills including: excellent “people skills”, advanced written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills, and the ability to facilitate diverse groups in collaborative decisions and action.
• Strategic thinking and outcome-oriented planning.
• Proven project management skills.
• Knowledgeable about sustainability and food systems. Preferred knowledge in areas of education, workforce development, health and nutrition, equity, and food access.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to summarize complex topics into concise formats relevant to both general and specific audiences.
• Demonstrated relationship building, collaboration, and facilitation skills; knowledge of network theory a plus. 
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Solid organizational skills and attention to detail is required.
• Creative problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Experienced and comfortable working with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to manage time effectively, work independently and be a self-starter, while also being a team player.
• Team player, sense of humor, and positive, can-do attitude.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Performs work in a climate-controlled office environment, where exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes, and gases is very limited. Noise level is moderate and includes sounds of normal office equipment (computers, telephones, etc.).  No known environmental hazards are encountered in the normal performance of job duties.

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Ability to climb 2 flights of stairs (office building does not have an elevator)
• Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time (standing and/or sitting)
• Project timelines and work volume/deadlines may sometimes require more than 40 hours per week to complete essential duties of this job

Please note: This is not an all-encompassing statement of this position’s responsibilities. While it attempts to be comprehensive, new responsibilities may be assigned to this position at any time.

VSJF is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and a strong sense of belonging in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. VSJF makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organization needs at the time.