Organizational Profile

Established in 2006 as a 501c3 non-profit organization, Food Roots’ mission is to grow a robust and equitable food system in Tillamook County and Oregon’s North Coast. We work to make finding and buying local food easier for households, businesses and institutions; we expand access to this locally grown food for those who can least afford them; we provide business development resources to food producers so that they can grow sustainable enterprises; and we provide schools with farm to school programming that connect kids directly to their food system.

About Our Team

Our dynamic and determined staff team is made up of an Executive Director, Development Director, Programs Manager, Marketplace & Office Coordinator, Local Food Procurement Coordinator, Farm to School Educator, Individual Development Accounts Administrator, and seasonal/temporary staff positions. Our Board of Directors includes 8-10 community members representing various stakeholder groups including food producers, social service organizations, private business owners, corporate and local government employees. Our staff and programming work closely with community partners and organizations.

About this position

Reports to: Programs Manager

Supervisor Responsibility: Some volunteer supervision

Hours per week: 0.5 FTE or 20 hours per week year round

Employment category: This is a regular, part-time position, year round

Pay and benefits: $20/hour; this position is eligible for full health & vision insurance coverage after 30 days of employment; Food Roots provides ten paid holidays and paid time off by accrual basis (8 hours per month for half time equivalent).

Farm to School Program Description

Food Roots Farm to School programming provides hands-on, garden-based lessons rooted in science content, local food tastings, farmer visits to classrooms, farm field trips, farm to school related family and community engagement and local food procurement support for school food buyers.

Farm to School activities like these support student academic, social, emotional, behavioral and healthy habit development, and help families develop relationships with local food producers. Farm to School is part of the fabric of Food Roots programs that help grow a more robust and equitable food system in Tillamook County.

General Position Goals and Duties

• Provide on-going garden-based education and local food engagement activities in partnership with schools and other community organizations.

• Maintain strong relationships with teachers, administrators and staff, parents, and other community stakeholders and partners.

• Cultivate a safe, engaging environment throughout all program activities that is responsive to the academic, behavioral, social, emotional and physical needs of participants while recognizing the diversity of backgrounds and experiences participants bring with them.

• Increase the visibility of Food Roots programming in our region.

Specific Position Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach regular hands-on, garden based lessons to Pre-K-8th grade classes, following Food Roots’ garden science activity guide, including preparing and organizing materials needed for lessons.
• Assist Programs Manager with schoolwide tasting table events promoting local, regional, and Oregon produced foods and food producers.
• Assist Programs Manager in facilitating farmer engagement activities for Pre-K-8th grade classes such as farmer visits to classrooms, field trips to local farms, and farm field trip videos.
• Assist Programs Manager in program-related family engagement events when available to schools.
• Collaborate with Food Roots staff, community partners, and volunteers, to maintain school gardens; lead volunteer work parties at garden sites.
• Support Programs Manager in facilitating monthly school garden committee meetings, seasonal meetings with school administrators, and school staff meetings as determined.
• Invite ongoing feedback from teachers, administrators and staff, parents and students to enhance Farm to School educational programming.
• Participate in weekly check-ins and Food Roots bi-weekly staff meetings, and staff retreats and trainings as determined.
• Attend community partnership meetings (such as TC STEM meetings) as assigned.
• Complete monthly tracking forms and support data collection for program evaluation as needed.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes

• Demonstrable commitment to Food Roots’ mission and values.

• Demonstrable commitment to inclusive and responsive teaching practices.

• Experience working with diverse socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural groups.

• Excellent communication, time management, organization skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team to complete multiple projects on different timelines; ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and balance priorities.

• Basic computer skills (Mac or PC, GMail), and familiarity with either GSuite (Google Docs, Sheets and Slides), or Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).

Requirements

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and have proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as required by our school partners. 

• Valid driver's license and ability to operate a personal motor vehicle with travel to work sites, subject to mileage reimbursement for travel outside the Food Roots office.

• Program activities may include some evening and weekend events.

• Frequently lift, carry or move 10-30 pounds; occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.