Company description

Hunger Free Vermont’s mission is to end the injustice of hunger for everyone by prioritizing the needs of those most affected by hunger to make permanent systemic change. We envision a vibrant, community-centered future where every one of us has the nourishing food we need and want. This is the 31st year of our work to expand and improve the federal nutrition programs that are our current best solution to hunger while at the same time building coalitions to tackle the underlying social and economic roots of the inequities in our state’s food system, to empower all of us in Vermont to achieve true food security. Hunger Free Vermont has had a transformative impact on creating food security for everyone in Vermont, and we have become a national leader in anti-hunger work.

Job description

Position Summary

As the Director of Community Engagement, you will carry out inclusion-focused, place-based work building relationships and understanding community needs. You will take the lead in equitable community engagement, centering Hunger Free Vermont’s mission to end the injustice of hunger through directly listening and being accountable to the many different kinds of people who are most impacted by hunger and its root causes in Vermont. You will partner with other Hunger Free Vermont staff members in mapping communities and community assets, connecting people to resources, and engaging people as project partners, but most centrally you will take a learning stance to gain insight into how needs are being addressed within communities and what is wanted and needed from Hunger Free Vermont that may call us to shift our perspective and approaches.

Focus of Position

These deliverables are part of a multi-year strategy and the director is not expected to achieve all of them in the first year. You will have the opportunity to develop your role over time as we discern what it really means for Hunger Free Vermont to implement reciprocal practices for consulting and engaging with the people who are most impacted by hunger and its root causes in Vermont.

• Take the lead in equitable community engagement that holds us accountable to people most affected by hunger and its root causes. This includes identifying where historic and ongoing inequity has happened and to whom and recommending any restorative actions or practices that are necessary for repair.
• Explore and discover whether and how we should do work outside of our current focus on expanding access to government programs and making policy changes that increase government program benefit levels.
• With the Coalition Development Lead, research and map the socio-historical and contemporary context of hunger and hunger cessation work in Vermont with a focus on most-impacted communities and their resilient strategies.
• With the Coalition Development Lead, develop a strategic plan for mapping the landscape of, and building authentic relationships with, the many organizations and groups in Vermont that share our commitment to taking social justice and root cause approaches to ending hunger; dividing this work between you as appropriate.
• With the Legislative Policy Lead, ensure that our policy work is aligned with the priorities of communities most affected by hunger, and is focused on dismantling systems that lead to hunger. Facilitate connections with new and diverse individuals and groups who are inspired to work with us to achieve policy objectives that matter to them, providing clear options and opportunities for participation.
• With the Ending Childhood Hunger Campaign Lead, develop a process aligned with Hunger Free Vermont’s values and priorities to ensure that people raising children on low incomes are able to meaningfully contribute to the Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger in Vermont, and that (in future years) people who are inspired to work with us to fulfill different parts of the plan that matter to them have clear options and opportunities for participation.
• With the Campaigns and Coalitions Team, design culturally responsive and equitable approaches to engaging communities, and work with the Chief of People and Operations and the other program directors to facilitate their implementation across all programs and projects.
• With the other Program Department Directors, lead the Programs Department, including planning and facilitating Programs Department meetings and supporting cross-team collaborations through our working groups structure.
• Other duties as assigned.

Important Perspectives, Knowledge, and Skills

We encourage all candidates who can demonstrate a fit with the role, even if you don’t match every qualification listed below, to apply. We embrace nontraditional paths and appreciate the fresh insights they offer. You could demonstrate your experience and skills in a variety of ways, including professional or volunteer work, travel or living abroad, creative pursuits, and military service.

• 5+ years of experience in community organizing and/or equitable community engagement work that has resulted in skill sets for building trust, forming relationships, and engaging with individuals and communities who are usually excluded from the spaces where decisions are made and where strategies are designed.
• 5+ years of experience leading, managing, and empowering team(s).
• A belief that hunger and its root causes are solvable, and a desire to contribute to ending these injustices for everyone in Vermont.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to be a curious and active listener.
• Experience with (or willingness to be trained in) equitable design practices and/or trauma informed community engagement.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively, manage complex projects, and build positive relationships with other staff and external partners.
• Ability to read, write, & communicate in English. The ability to communicate in other language(s) is a welcome plus.
• Ability to operate basic computer and internet programs like Google Suite and a willingness to learn new systems, applications, and technologies on the job.
• A valid driver’s license and ability to access a vehicle for travel within the state as needed.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $75,000 - $100,000

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline