School Food Outreach Coordinator

The mission of Edible Schoolyard New Orleans (ESY NOLA) is to create and sustain an expansive organic garden on the public school campus of Samuel J. Green Charter School in New Orleans. The Edible Schoolyard is integrating organic gardening and fresh seasonal cooking into the school's curriculum, culture and food programs. It involves students in all aspects of farming the garden-along with preparing, serving and eating the food-as a means of awakening their senses and encouraging awareness and appreciation of the transformative values of nourishment, community, and stewardship of the land.

Position Overview:

Edible Schoolyard NOLA seeks qualified candidates for a School Food Outreach Coordinator. The School Outreach Coordinator is a new position that will be housed at ESY NOLA and is supported by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation and Ruth U. Fertel Foundation.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, proven leader and self-starter with a demonstrated commitment to transforming school lunches and lunchrooms in public schools (RSD and Charter-operated) in New Orleans. This position will work with the Executive Director of ESY NOLA, and will work closely with the Food Policy Advisory Committee sanctioned by the New Orleans City Council.

Responsibilities:

The School Food Outreach Coordinator will identify public schools who are interested in transforming their existing school food programs and are willing to work to create a citywide vision for public schools. This work will also focus on context-building programs (integration of gardening and cooking programs) to ensure success and sustainability for the cafeteria reform work.

The Coordinator will develop a school outreach plan to form a core pilot group of school based individuals, research and share model programs and best practices, recommend strategies for local implementation, identify obstacles and opportunities for developing and implementing a farm-to-school program that supports local farmers and fishermen, and develop a platform for advocacy and policy changes that foster cafeteria transformation citywide.

The Coordinator will work across a group of schools, as well as with individual schools to provide direct technical assistance (i.e., establishing school-wide wellness policies, working with food service providers, etc.) to change cafeteria food programs.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of professional experience (less will be considered if combined with an advanced degree) in one or more of the following field(s): education, public policy, public administration, community and school organizing, food systems development, school-based food programming, and/or public health.
• Proven ability to work with a diverse constituency. Candidates must be comfortable working with public school administrators, teachers, parents and students, as well as with representatives from the public and private sectors.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel).
• Must have LA Driver's License and vehicle; some out-of-state travel required. 

Compensation: $40,000-$50,000 annually based on experience. Travel stipend provided. May consider consultant arrangement for the right candidate. Benefits offered for full-time position.

To Apply:

Please send your resume with cover letter, 3 professional references, and a 1 page professional writing sample. No phone calls, please.