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- POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT -

Center for Food & Justice, Urban & Environmental Policy Institute,
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

COORDINATOR, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FARM TO INSTITUTION PROGRAM

About the Organization

The Urban & Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI) is a community
oriented research and advocacy organization based at Occidental
College in Los Angeles, CA. UEPI serves as the umbrella for a variety
of affiliated programs addressing work and industry, food and
nutrition, housing, transportation, regional and community
development, land use, and urban environmental issues. UEPI functions
both as an academic center with strong community ties and a
community-based organization with a strong research and policy
development capacity.

The Center for Food & Justice (CFJ) is the largest division of UEPI.
The mission of CFJ is to foster a more just, democratic and
sustainable food system. CFJ seeks to improve access to fresh and
healthy foods in all communities, particularly those where access is
most limited, and to facilitate environmental, health promotion,
community development, social justice, and land use strategies that
empower local communities and strengthen the capacity of small
regional farmers.

Position Description:
UEPI is seeking a candidate for the position of Southern California
Farm to Institution Program Coordinator to advance the work of CFJ's
farm to institution programs. The Program Coordinator will be based at
CFJ, with the primary responsibilities of assessing the potential for
linking local Southern California farmers with institutions such as
schools, colleges, hospitals and others, and working on developing a
model for local produce distribution in Southern California that works
for these institutions and farmers. This work will build upon CFJ's
past experience in farm to school and farm to hospital work in the
Southern California region. The Program Coordinator will collaborate
closely with existing farm to school and farm to hospital program
staff at CFJ, as well as other CFJ projects that work towards
improving the access of healthy affordable foods in schools,
institutions and communities.

Job Responsibilities

· Identify a local farmer base to supply produce to Southern
California institutions.

· Assess the feasibility of various distribution models to
supply local produce to institutions in the region.

· Work with farmers and institutions to create a model produce
distribution structure to supply produce to institutions throughout
Southern California.

· Increase farmer awareness of institutional markets, build
understanding of institutional market needs.

· Build institutional awareness of local purchasing, promote
local and sustainable food purchasing among institutions.

· Offer technical assistance to schools, hospitals, and other
institutions implementing local and sustainable purchasing programs.

· Develop publications and information materials related to the
work outlined above.

· Serve as program manager; fulfill grant reporting
requirements, grant writing, and fundraising as related to the
project.

· Participate and assist with planning and implementing farm to
school and farm to hospital projects undertaken by CFJ, and other UEPI
activities and projects as required.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in community food
systems, farming and/or farmers' markets, food distribution systems,
institutional purchasing or food service.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills

· Ability to make presentations to and engage diverse groups of
people, including farmers, food service professionals and distributors

· Detail-oriented and well organized

· Self motivated, hard working, and dependable

· Strong computer competencies including Microsoft Word and Excel

· Must have own transportation, and be willing /able to work
some evenings and weekends, and travel to conferences around the state
and country as needed.

Desired Qualifications

· Experience working with institutional food service and/or
produce distribution

· Familiarity with program development and grant writing

· Advanced degree or equivalent experience in Community Food
Systems, Public Health, Nutrition, Urban Planning, Social Work,
Environmental Policy, Business Administration, Economics, or related
field

· Business and/or economic analysis experience

· Proficiency in a second or third language

· Other computer skills such as desktop publishing and web management

Starting annual salary ranges from $32,000-35,000 based on
qualifications, with benefits including health, dental, and vision
plan; paid vacation; and retirement benefits. This is a one-year
full-time position with possible extension based on funding
availability.

How to Apply
Please, e-mail resume and cover letter to resumes@oxy.edu .
Deadline for applications is February 6, 2007.

If you do not have access to e-mail, please fax or mail your resume
and cover letter to:

Human Resources
Occidental College
1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Fax: (323) 341-4957

For more information about UEPI and CFJ, visit www.uepi.oxy.edu .

Occidental College is an equal opportunities employer.