KC Healthy Kids is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of children and families through community-driven initiatives and advocacy where they live, learn, work and play. We also support a number of initiatives designed to improve the food and built environments, including the Kansas Food Action Network.
 
Composed of over 30 local food, farm and policy councils, the Kansas Food Action Network is a statewide advocacy network focused on building resilient local and state food systems in Kansas. The Network provides technical assistance, coaching, peer-to-peer learning and network opportunities to support growth and development of food system leadership in Kansas.

KC Healthy Kids seeks an enthusiastic and creative Director of Network Engagement to provide programmatic and administrative support for the Kansas Food Action Network. Reporting to the Senior Director of the Kansas Food Action Network, this staff person will provide critical outreach and engagement support to our growing organization.
 
Duties and Responsibilities:

Network Engagement

• Direct outreach and organizing efforts to build a diverse and effective statewide network of local food policy councils
• Support the development of new food, farm, and policy councils across the state of Kansas
• Coordinate and facilitate monthly calls with the statewide Network
• Design and lead coordination of in-person and virtual network events, including an annual statewide convening and an annual advocacy day.
• Lead an annual statewide assessment of food council capacity
• Facilitate an annual community engagement process to establish the Network technical assistance, programming, and policy priorities.

 
Technical Assistance

• Track and respond to technical assistance requests from member councils in a thoughtful and timely manner
• Design responsive technical assistance (i.e. coordinating guest speakers, hosting workshops, etc.) to meet Network members’ needs.
• Design and regularly update technical assistance tools
• Facilitate the Network’s New Member Orientation

 
External Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with food system partners in Kansas and across the country
• Stay connected to the Johns Hopkins FPN network, including the completion of survey requests, engagement with listserv posts

 
Communications

• Design and distribution of monthly newsletter
• Prepare presentations and publications for professional and public audiences.
• Write email newsletters, update the website and manage social media.
• Work with staff to plan and implement advocacy communications.
• Management of the Network listserv (includes updating the listserv, responding to listserv information requests)
• Management of communications database - managing contact information for board members, network councils, and key stakeholders.

 
Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, community planning and design, nutrition, public health, or related field preferred OR comparable professional experience
• One to three years of experience in food policy council or coalition organizing strongly preferred
• Knowledge of Kansas food systems is desirable; passion for food systems change is a must.
• Understanding of the role of federal, state, and local policy in influencing the food system
• Event planning and project management experience
• Experience with grant writing and/or funding processes
• Strong communications background
• Creative and strategic thinking skills
• Experience with learning management systems and/or curriculum design
• Must be proficient in use of a personal computer, including electronic scheduling and Google suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc.)
• Must be proficient in Zoom

 
Reports to:  Senior Director, Kansas Food Action Network
 
Compensation: The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $70,000 based on experience. Benefits include paid time off; mobile phone stipend; health, dental, vision and disability insurance; and a contribution to a retirement plan. KC Healthy Kids staff work a flexible, 32-hour work week.
 
To Apply: Email your resume and answers to the questions listed below to recruitment@kchealthykids.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The position will remain open until filled, but applications received before December 8, 2023 will be prioritized. No phone calls please. Inquiries should be sent by email. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
 
Applicant Questions: In place of a cover letter, please answer the following questions and submit them with your resume. Please limit your responses to no more than one page per question.
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1. Describe your knowledge of and/or experience with:

• Network organizations
• Food councils and/or coalition organizing
• Policy, systems, and environment change

2. The Kansas Food Action Newtwork operates across a large geographic area, and mostly meets virtually.  What strategies would you use to encourage authentic and enthusiastic engagement among members?

Photo: Members of Kansas Food Action Network meet with Governor Kelly

Position Description
The grower engagement manager will drive Local Food program initiatives, connecting communities to close health gaps to support a just and equitable regional food system. This position will manage KC Food Circle to connect our region’s eaters, farmers and producers to grow a thriving local food community. This position will work with staff to allocate resources, prioritizing program implementation to help school districts, early childhood education centers, restaurants, catering businesses, hospitals, and worksite areas increase local food purchases. The position requires strong administrative and organizational skills, the ability to think strategically, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school district administrators, businesses, colleges and schools, teachers, food service staff, local farmers, and local, state and federal officials.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of KC Food Circle, recruit and maintain farmer annual memberships to uphold integrity of KC Food Circle pledges and update farmer directory and profiles.
• Provide outreach and build relationships with farmers, ranchers, and other food producers within a 250-mile radius of Kansas City to support meeting institutional demand.
• Cultivate relationships with partner organizations, key stakeholders, farmer members and community through event planning and implementation of the Eat Local and Organic Expo
• Manage and update Eat Local KC map and recruit participants for map layers
• Collaborate with partner organizations to host and/or participate in networking opportunities for food growers and buyers
• Support staff in maintaining budgets for local food programs and events and execute earned income strategies that feasibly support farm to institution work.
• Support staff in development of marketing and educational materials for KC Healthy Kids programs and events.
• Recruit and supervise interns and volunteers in their implementation of program initiatives and events.
• Perform program administrative functions including staff and funder communications, grant writing, grant reporting, and program evaluation

 
Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in nutrition and/or dietetics, community food systems, business, marketing, agriculture, plant science, public administration, social work or equivalent with 3-5 years of professional experience
• Experience and knowledge on school foods, farming, food sales, and managing collaborative initiatives are preferred.
• Excellent ability to work with racially and culturally diverse groups.
• Self-starter with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of the local and regional food system recommended.
•  Ability to juggle short- and long-term priorities and projects of varying nature.
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Willingness to think and plan strategically, work well with a diverse range of people, and provide leadership by example.

 
Job Relationships:
Relationship management is a key function of the position. The KC Food Circle Program Manager will have frequent contact with diverse stakeholders, including administrators, regional farmers, food industry professionals, planning professionals, school professionals and educators, philanthropy, faith-based organizations, health care personnel, social service professionals, academia, media, and community residents.
 
Salary Range: $49,500-54,500
 
Reports to:
Vice President, Programs and Policy

Application Process
Email a cover letter and resume to recruitment@kchealthykids.org. The position will
remain open until filled, but applications received before November 15, 2023 will be
prioritized. No phone calls please. Inquiries should be sent by email. Only those
selected for an interview will be contacted.