Company description

Crossroads Community Food Network is building a more resilient and inclusive local food system in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads, a primarily immigrant community in Maryland just outside of Washington, DC. At the heart of this integrated network of food growers, makers, and consumers is Crossroads Farmers Market, where an innovative SNAP-matching program is increasing food security among 2,000+ people annually and helps support local farmers and food vendors – most of whom are also immigrants. Crossroads also provides community-based healthy eating education, bilingual business support for food entrepreneurs, and an affordable shared-use community kitchen geared toward helping them succeed.

We envision a community where all people have access to fresh, nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food; where the food system is more reliant on local production, and just as important, there is a parity of opportunity for those who wish to grow, make, or sell healthy food; where the food supply chain respects all workers; and where there is a robust public demand for healthy food. Our programs support food sovereignty so that people who have been historically and systematically excluded have the power to define and control their own culturally appropriate food policies, processes, and activities. We are proud of our ability to connect and empower people through food.

Ultimately, Crossroads’ programs aim to reduce food insecurity, improve community health, and increase food system participation and agency among systemically marginalized people. Health- and wealth-building are central to Crossroads' symbiotic programs. Together, they enable community members to increase their consumption of fresh food and leverage food as an equitable economic engine.

Job description

Crossroads Community Food Network, a food justice nonprofit based in Takoma Park, MD, is seeking a full-time, 40-hour/week Program Manager to oversee Crossroads Farmers Market and the Fresh Checks nutrition incentive program. This position combines the physical logistics of a seasonal farmers market with nonprofit program management. The overall goal of this position is to create an intentional and inclusive community gathering space that brings joy to all, regardless of age or background.

The ideal candidate will be bilingual in English and Spanish and have experience with food systems work. This public-facing position will work with diverse members of the Takoma/Langley Crossroads community and coordinate with many nonprofit and government partners. The position is based in Takoma Park, MD, with a hybrid work schedule. The Program Manager will supervise 3 part-time market staff members and coordinate with 5-7 Community Ambassador contractors. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Essential job functions:

• Oversee operations of the farmers market, Fresh Checks nutrition incentive program, and Community Ambassador program
• Oversee day-of-market site logistics, equipment, and point-of-sale technology
• Manage vendor recruitment, orientation, and incentive reimbursement tracking
• Supervise and support market staff, contractors, and volunteers
• Manage promotions, publicity, and seasonal newsletter
• Ensure policy compliance and resolve conflicts from a de-escalation perspective
• Build and manage relationships with community partners to coordinate their participation at the market
• Collaborate with Community Outreach Specialist to develop outreach strategy and support a team of Community Ambassadors in implementing plans
• Refine systems through program evaluation
• Provide program data and monthly updates to Executive Director for grant applications and reports
• Develop and deliver presentations in English and Spanish for different community partners, including City and County officials, local community groups and food councils, and student groups
• Collaborate with coworkers to support vendor participation in other Crossroads programming including food business support and Community Supported Agriculture program

Required skills and experience:

• Bilingual in English/Spanish
• 3-5 years of relevant experience – could include market management, food education, food production/processing/marketing/retail, culinary training, food policy
• Program/personnel management experience
• Ability to communicate effectively across cultures, including presenting program information to a diverse group of stakeholders and community partners
• Ability to multitask, prioritize activities, and work as part of a diverse team
• Physical requirements: able to lift/carry up to 50 pounds
• Comfortable working outside in all weather conditions
• Must have access to a vehicle to transport market supplies and equipment

Preferred skills and experience:

• Familiarity with Google Workspace (Google Forms, Sheets, Docs, Drive, etc.)
• Experience using data collection and tracking to analyze program outcomes
• Lived experience in Takoma Park, Langley Park, or Silver Spring

There is a lot of potential for the right candidate to expand this role to match their interests and skill sets.

Compensation & Benefits: Compensation is $28/hour

Benefits for all Crossroads full-time and part-time employees include:

• Two weeks of paid medical leave, 11 paid holidays, and two weeks of paid vacation leave, (increases to three weeks after one year, four weeks after three years, etc)
• Quarterly phone reimbursements
• $700 annual professional development stipend
• Eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored retirement plan after one year, including a 2% employer contribution
• Eligible for 12 weeks of paid parental leave after one year

Additionally, for employees working 30+ hours per week:

• Eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored healthcare plan upon hiring (50% of premiums paid by organization)

Crossroads Community Food Network is committed to racial justice and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We believe that diversity of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, and national origin makes our team and community stronger.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

August 18, 2023