Community Food Programmer – Youth Focus (Halifax)

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

This project is based on the principle that it is not enough to provide fruits and vegetables and encourage their consumption. But rather we need to provide healthy foods to children and youth while also creating capacity for the school community to mitigate the factors that limit their access to a healthier lifestyle. Our interventions prioritize education on traditional and alternative food models, targeting children, who may go on to normalize healthier eating. Possible approaches will include integrating local fruits and vegetables into snack programs, gardening activities, cooking and preserving workshops, and establishing Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) food box drop offs at schools. This project will explore the potential for schools to act as food education centres for the students, teachers, and parents that they serve.

The Community Food Programmer – Youth Focus is part of the Healthy Communities Start at School Project – a new initiative at the EAC.  While funded separately from the Our Food Project, this position will work closely with the Our Food Project team. This position will report to the Food Coordinator.

The Community Food Coordinator - Youth Focus (Halifax) duties include:

• Develop a model for working with schools and afterschool programs to support healthy food initiatives;
• Pilot initiatives (which may include cooking workshops, garden programs, mini farmers markets, etc.) in three schools or afterschool programs;
• Track activities for project reporting;
• Completing reports to funders;
• Contributing to the Food Action Committee blog, Adventures in Local Food;
• Supporting the work of the Food Action Committee and the Ecology Action Centre;
• Other duties as required.

Interested Candidates should possess the following skills and experience:
.

• Strong knowledge and practical experience of gardening techniques in this climate;
• Strong knowledge of and practical experience in cooking with seasonal foods ;
• Experience developing and delivering workshops or other popular education activities;
• Experience working with children and youth (ages 5-17 years);
• Strong organizational skills, friendly and patient;
• Experience working with volunteers and diverse stakeholders, facilitation skills;
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Passionate about community food initiatives;
• Willingness to learn, experiment and adapt;
• Photography and videography skills are an asset;
• Experience working in a school setting is an asset;
• Driver’s license and/or experience using a bicycle trailer is an asset;
• Criminal record check may be required.

This position will be based at our Halifax office.  Workshops will take place in various locations in the community.

Terms of Employment
Start: Mid to Late March 2013
End: March 31, 2014

3 month probationary period
20 hours per week @ $20.00 Possibility of increase to 27 hours per week (based on funding)
Benefits plan and 4 weeks paid vacation

Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.  Some evening/weekend work will be required.

Location: This position will be based at our Halifax office.

TO APPLY
Please email a cover letter and resume (including 2 references) to Marla MacLeod, Food Coordinator, at marla@ecologyaction.ca. Please submit your application in the form of a pdf document with required elements in the following order: cover letter, resume, references. Please specify in your cover letter which position you are applying for.   You are welcome to apply for more than one position; however, please submit separate applications (in separate pdf files) for each application.

DUE DATE: Monday Feb 18, 2013, 4 pm

We thank all applicants for their time and interest, however only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

The Ecology Action Centre is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, First Nations, and persons with disabilities. Diversity is a stated value of the Ecology Action Centre.  Moreover, diversity in the EAC community is a strength that must be cultivated.  It is the responsibility of every employee of EAC to foster a culture that embraces and promotes diversity.

The Centre welcomes new members and volunteers:www.ecologyaction.ca