Open Position: FOOD JUSTICE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
Status: Full-time, 40 hours per week Rate: $18-22 per hour, DOE.
About HOPE Collaborative, a project of Tides Center: HOPE (Health for Oakland’s People and Environment) Collaborative’s mission is to advance racial, economic, and health equity in Oakland through community-driven food and neighborhood initiatives. We envision a vibrant Oakland where historically marginalized communities shape their neighborhoods’ future, have equitable opportunities for healthy food and safe community spaces, and build community wealth.
Program HOPE Collaborative’s Healthy Corner Store Project works with corner stores in Oakland, CA to increase the availability of nutritious, affordable food. We connect stores with financing opportunities, technical assistance, and community support so they can increase the amount of fresh or prepared healthy food options they provide. We believe investing in quality food markets in underserved areas will directly benefit low-income communities through job creation, improved access to healthy foods, and helping stores to have a more positive presence in communities.
Position description: The Food Justice Community Organizer works directly with HOPE’s Food System Project Associate, Project Leaders, and Youth Action Board (YAB) members in promoting healthy food choices at corner stores in East and West Oakland in partnership with youth organizations, community partner groups, and volunteers through taste testing and other community activities and events. They will conduct outreach to recruit new stores, additional resident volunteers and develop relationships with local organizations that can be ongoing partners in promoting healthy products and changes at the stores.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Outreach & Surveys
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- Conduct outreach and build participation of community residents and community groups to implement and lead HOPE’s corner store work
- Support recruitment, assessment, and onboarding of potential new stores
- Coordinate and deliver Food Justice workshops to community groups and residents
- Ensure surveys and customer feedback tools are implemented at each store
- Track participation, enter data, and conduct follow up to new contacts.
- Promote the corner store work using a range of strategies from social media to canvassing.
- Activity Development and Event Planning
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- Support Project Leaders and YAB in leading monthly activities at each store.
- Recruit community partners for and participate in program planning for events.
- Develop flyers and outreach materials for events and activities and coordinate distribution.
- Document events and promote corner store through social media using multimedia
- Meeting Coordination and Member Support
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- Guide a team of youth leaders and residents to engage store owners and community
- Coordinate monthly Healthy Corner Store Team meetings.
- Connect HOPE members to leadership development opportunities.
- General Responsibilities
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- Regular meetings with Food Justice Innovation Manager, Steering Committee, YAB and Project Leaders
- Create a written summary of activities on a monthly basis for reports to the Steering Committee
Required knowledge, skills, and experience:
- At least two years of community organizing or community engagement experience including membership cultivation, leadership development, training, facilitation, event planning and/or volunteer coordination.
- Self-motivated, high-energy, and very organized.
- High degree of comfort working with constituents from varied backgrounds.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and racial equity.
- Able to manage multiple tasks in a busy environment.
- Able to work well independently and as part of a team.
Preferred knowledge, skills, and qualities:
- Knowledge of or interest in food justice and food systems.
- Familiarity with Oakland neighborhoods, particularly in the flatlands of East and West Oakland.
- Photography, design, and social media skills.
- Drivers license and access to a vehicle.
Work environment: While this is an office position, applicants should be aware that travel to other locations in and around Oakland will be frequent (approximately 50%) and required for meetings, outreach, events, and other community activities. A personal vehicle or public transportation may be utilized.
Physical demands: The employee will occasionally lift and/or move items not exceeding 20 pounds.
Proposals: Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@hopecollaborative.net with “Food Justice Community Organizer” in the subject line. Position open until filled. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis; first review deadline is August 1st, 2019. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
HOPE Collaborative, a project of Tides Center, is an “at-will” and equal opportunity employer. Applicants and employees shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender (including pregnancy and gender expression) identity, color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise Tides in writing of special needs at the time of application.
