Des Moines Area Religious Council 

Coordinator, "Eat Greater Des Moines" A Food Research and Action Council

Purpose:

The purpose of this full-time coordinator position is to oversee the development and expansion of the local food system in the Polk County food shed, to sustain collaboration between organizations and individuals involved in local food system work, and to seize opportunities to improve access to healthy food.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a plan and timeline for the formation, recruitment, and population of the "Eat Greater Des Moines - A Food Research and Action Council" organization and then convene and lead meetings
• Increase collaboration among area organizations, networks, food system leaders and community decisionmakers in regard to food system
• Work to increase access to healthy food for all ages and incomes
• Guide the development of the Hunger-Free Community Plan in cooperation with members of the "Eat Greater Des Moines - A Food Research and Action Council"
• Serve as liaison with the statewide Iowa Regional Food System Working Group network as well as the Iowa Food Systems Council for potential collaboration on food policy issues
• Monitor progress of food system in ending hunger and improving health in Greater Des Moines by coordinating baseline and on-going data collection on adopted food system indicators
• Build relationships with neighboring counties in the Polk County food shed (Dallas, Madison, Warren, Jasper, Marion, and Marshall), and identify mutual opportunities for collaboration on food system effectiveness
• Build awareness and demand for healthier food for all age groups through an effective marketing campaign including pointed messaging and branding
• Evaluate utilizing existing infrastructure for growing, warehousing, processing, and distribution for our region and plan for new infrastructure
• Work on opportunities for growers to produce more and provide training opportunities for all counties within the food shed
• Structure and implement a plan to ensure financial stability and sustainability of the Food Research and Action Council
• Provide project progress reports monthly or more often as requested to ensure compliance with funder reporting and other DMARC requirements
• Other duties as required

Skills and Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience and success in project planning, development, and implementation
• Demonstrated previous experience in developing and leading large and small group processes
• Demonstrated knowledge of local food system research and development
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection design and evaluation methods
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, synthesize and disseminate project and research data
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills, including report writing and public speaking
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and supervise staff
• Demonstrated ability to interact successfully with community leaders and volunteers
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, work independently, and work with a team
• Demonstrated ability with word processing, spreadsheet, and database software

Accountability and Evaluation:

This position reports to the Executive Director and is reviewed semi-annually for the first two years.

Salary is negotiable.

The Des Moines Area Religious Council is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment related to, or stemming from race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other protected status. The Des Moines Area Religious Council conducts background screening as a part of the employment selection process.

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Executive Director Sarai Rice, at sarai@dmreligious.org or 3816 36th Street, Suite 202, Des Moines IA 50310-4710. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2013.

Questions? Call: 515-277-6969. For more information about the Des Moines Area Religious Council and it programs, visit www.dmreligious.org and www.MovetheFood.org.

DMARC Mission: Religious communities working together to meet basic human needs.