Company description

Iowa Valley RC&D is a 501c3 non-profit that was founded in 1998. Our office is located in the Historic Amana Colonies--20 miles from Cedar Rapids and 25 miles from Iowa City. Iowa Valley RC&D's project have impact at the local, state, and national level.

Iowa Valley RC&D is place-based and uniquely built to address varied local needs and concerns. Our team works to grow local economies, strengthen food systems, foster protection and enhancement of natural resources, and develop awareness for the arts, history, and culture. We facilitate partner collaboration, solve problems at a system level, and leverage resources to get more done. Our expertise is in community food systems, planning, and placemaking. Iowa is our home and we are passionate about doing meaningful and measurable work here.

The Iowa Valley RC&D envisions a future where regional food system infrastructure is revitalized. Diverse farms provide food for their community in a way that aligns with the functions of the natural ecosystem. Local businesses pay community members a living wage to contribute to the transportation, processing, storage, marketing, and retail of food products. Most importantly, everyone in the community is able to be secure in the access, availability, and utilization of food that supports the health of people and planet.

Job description

The Food & Farm Specialist supports the Iowa Valley RC&D’s Regional Food System Initiative through development and implementation of projects, training coordination, farmer outreach, and farm management tasks. This initiative includes efforts in farm to school, farmers markets, farmer training, food safety, food hub development, food entrepreneur technical assistance, food production, and community food security.

This position has two main areas of work: 1) the implementation of a Clean Start Food Safety Program for Beginning Farmers in Eastern Iowa and 2) support for farm management duties as part of the Grow Johnson County program. Tasks will include recruitment of project participants, meeting coordination, developing technical resources for farmers, data entry, analyzing and compiling project data, conducting project evaluation, farm labor, and possible equipment operation. This position will be given the training to become an on farm food safety expert including training as a Produce Safety Alliance trainer and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Food Safety Auditor. Must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively. This position is dynamic and requires work outdoors in all types of Iowa weather. This position performs all other tasks as assigned.

Iowa Valley RC&D recognizes the importance of social capital and professional networking, especially in today’s business landscape. To this end, this position is expected to foster and maintain a positive, professional, and mutually beneficial relationship network with area leaders, project partners, community stakeholders and project beneficiaries.

The Food & Farm Specialist reports to the Deputy Director. This is a part-time, position will split time between located in the Iowa Valley RC&D office (920 48th Avenue, Amana, Iowa 52203) and at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm (4811 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa 52246). Travel is required. This position requires availability on weekday nights and weekends. Must possess and maintain a valid Iowa Driver’s license.

Compensation
$15/hr

Abilities
Interest and ability in performing physically strenuous work outdoors in adverse weather conditions on rugged terrain.
Interest and ability in coordinating and leading both volunteer groups and professional work crews
Willingness to learn how to safely and effectively operate, maintain, and repair farming equipment including but not limited to tractors up to 80hp, chainsaw, small engine tools.
Willingness to learn how to complete basic plumbing and carpentry tasks
Ability to prioritize and troubleshoot high stress situations while maintaining professionalism
Must be able to carry at least 50 pounds

Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree
2+ Years work experience related to farm operations, food systems, food safety, farm businesses
Farm equipment operation (tractor operation and maintenance) Knowledge of food safety best practices on farms
Excellent speaking, writing, and facilitation skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Knowledge of local and regional food systems
Attended Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training in the last two years (desirable)
1+ years working on a farm (desirable)

Commitment to Diversity
Iowa Valley RC&D is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable food system and furthering inclusivity in small rural communities. We are a proud equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. There is no tolerance for discrimination or harassment of any kind in our organization.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Full job description available at iowavalleyrcd.org/jobs/

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

July 05, 2020