FSNA Local Foods for Local Schools - Grant Navigator

This is an 10 month contract working remotely with frequent travel to farms/ranches, farmers markets, school districts and throughout the assigned region as necessary.

Overview

The purpose of the LFLS grant is to increase the procurement of fresh Florida products for school meals, and thus ensure the supply chain from farmers to schools. The outcome will be crop plans with identified farmers, procurement documents, and established connections between school districts and local small farmers to create the local delivery systems, planned menu cycles, and crop planning for future procurement opportunities.

The districts included in the grant are:

Walton

Washington

Liberty

Jefferson

Dixie

Gilchrist

Columbia

Levy

Union

Putnam

Hardee

DeSoto

Palm Beach

Job Title: Farm to School Navigator (3)

Job Summary/Objective:

The Farm to School Navigator will play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration between producers and school districts to enhance procurement processes. This position involves building and nurturing relationships with small and socially disadvantaged producers, facilitating open dialogues to understand their needs, and establishing partnerships within assigned school districts. The Navigator will serve as a liaison between producers and districts, ensuring clear communication and support. Additionally, they will network with relevant stakeholders and prepare reports on community engagement activities and procurement outcomes to drive sustainable changes . One navigator will be hired for each region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Community Engagement:
• Build and nurture relationships with small and socially disadvantaged producers in designated counties.
• Facilitate open dialogues to understand the unique needs and aspirations of producers in the area of school procurement.
• Partnership Development:
• Collaborate with school districts to identify procurement needs and opportunities.
• Establish and maintain partnerships between producers and school districts to facilitate the procurement process.
• Training and Resource Coordination:
• Serve as a liaison between producers and school districts, ensuring smooth communication and understanding of procurement requirements.
• Provide producers with resources, training, and support needed to meet school district procurement standards.
• Networking:
• Build and maintain networks with school district officials, food service directors, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate networking opportunities for producers to connect with potential buyers and partners.
• Reporting:
• Prepare regular reports on community engagement activities and procurement outcomes.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience/Education: Demonstrated experience in agriculture, food procurement, project management, food systems, school nutrition, or education. Graduation/course work from an accredited college or university with a degree in agriculture, agri-business, nutrition, or a related field is a plus.
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to network and connect with individuals and organizations with a range of priorities and perspectives, support collaborative work, and manage partnerships
• Ability to independently set priorities, organize information, track details, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Must exhibit initiative and resourcefulness, and the ability to work on multiple projects with and through others cooperatively in a positive remote team environment
• Commitment to self-reflection, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning, including the ability to identify gaps in knowledge and proactively seek out information to fill those gaps
• Cultural competency and the ability to work with diverse populations.
• Bilingual proficiency may be required depending on the community served.
• Computer skills and ability to learn and adopt tools that may be new: We use a combination of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Google Drive, and Zoom
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Work Environment:

Remote, must have reliable cell and internet service. Applicants must live within one hour driving distance of their assigned region.

Travel Requirements:

• Frequent travel to farms/ranches, farmers markets, school districts and throughout the assigned region as necessary.

Pay and Benefits:

• 1099 contract position. $28 per hour.
• Hours will vary based on deliverables and assigned work, estimated at 20 - 30 hours/week.
• Cell phone and laptop or technology stipend for use of personal devices provided
• Reimbursement of travel expenses

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as professional reports, publications, laws and regulations, procedure manuals, project proposals, and presentations.

Ability to prepare and deliver effective reports, business correspondence, and presentations.

Ability to effectively and concisely present information, speak before different groups, and respond to questions from the general public, funding partners, other donors/stakeholders, and coworkers.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $28.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 25 per week

Experience level:

• 5 years

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work setting:

• Hybrid work

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Tallahassee, FL 32301

Salary : $28