Community Food Access & Engagement Coordinator

Description

Loaves & Fishes, a charitable food distribution agency, seeks a Community Food Access & Engagement Coordinator to increase visibility of what Loaves & Fishes does to provide free groceries to anyone in need.

Loaves & Fishes seeks to address public health priorities designed to increase geographical and economic access to healthy food through initiatives to advance community partnerships and create sustainable systems for collaborative engagement. This position will utilize evidence-based best practices and policies to implement innovative programs that equitably address healthy eating with a focus on affordability and access to healthy foods.

The ideal candidate will conduct the organization’s outreach and engagement programs in the greater Charlottesville, VA community, pursue and embrace open collaboration, and be driven and creative.

Job Duties

Responsibilities

With the Executive Director/Outreach Committee, the Community Engagement Coordinator will create and deploy a comprehensive outreach strategy, to raise community awareness of Loaves and Fishes’ work that results in increased food access for under-resourced community members and increased support for Loaves & Fishes. Work activities will include:

Community Engagement

• Building and maintaining relationships with marginalized community members who may not be accessing free food resources.
• Giving pantry visitors and community members a voice in our process and programs
• Building and maintaining partnerships with other community groups and organizations supporting under-resourced and marginalized communities.
• Partner and collaborate with local producers and other food access/security partners

Events

• Identifying and participating in community events where attendees want to learn about how to access Loaves & Fishes’ healthy food or get involved/support.
• Collaborate with local workforce boards to support communities in need

Marketing and Communications 

• Create and distribute visually compelling information about Loaves & Fishes’ services throughout the community. Coordinate translation of outreach materials into multiple languages.
• Review and update website content.
• Create and manage compelling content for all social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).
• Collect testimonial stories from pantry visitors (where willing), staff, volunteers, and donors.
• Create periodic newsletters and other communications for supporters (donors and volunteers).
• Contribute to annual report that summarizes the organization’s accomplishments and recognizes its volunteers, food sources, and financial donors.
• Communicate regular progress and impact updates to the Executive Director and the Board.
• Participate in and spearhead special projects at the direction of the Executive Director.

Skills Required

SKILLS

• Excellent verbal and written English language communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work successfully on own and in a small team, and to learn new skills as assigned
• Proficient in email, Microsoft 365, and social media
• Innovator and results oriented
• Ability to adapt to changing community and organization needs

Recommended Skills/Experience

• Ability to communicate in Spanish or another language spoken by Loaves & Fishes’ visitors (Dari, Pashto, Arabic)
• Adobe Suite or Canva design skills

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience: Two years of experience in public health, health education, health or public policy, urban city or regional planning or related field.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public health, health policy or related behavioral science; urban city or regional planning.

Equivalent education & experience accepted

Successful candidate will embrace Loaves & Fishes’ core value to serve those in need with kindness and compassion. Reports to Executive Director.

Work Schedule

40 hours/week

Additional Info

Hours: 40 hours/week

Salary: $48,000/year

Benefits: 3 weeks’ Paid Time Off, 14 paid holidays, and health, dental, and vision insurance, paid in full for employee by company.

To apply, complete and send Loaves & Fishes’ application to executivedirector@cvilleloaves.org.

Loaves & Fishes is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Whenever possible, the company makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by law.