Brief Job Description (essential functions of the job):

This is a 6 month Temporary Fellowship.

The scope of work for this internship will include supporting the Food Sovereignty Raised Bed Garden program co-facilitated by the Office of Food Justice and GrowBoston. Under the guidance of OFJ program staff, the Raised Bed Garden Fellow will work to facilitate connections between raised beds recipients and builders, lead data collection and reporting, and support developing a plan for food distribution. This position is ideal for someone interested in food sovereignty, urban gardening or farming and community engagement.

Background:

The mission of the Mayor's Office of Food Justice is to build a food system that is equitable, resilient, sustainable, and just. In pursuit of this mission, OFJ will work to expand equitable access to nutritious food with respect to affordability, physical accessibility, and cultural connectedness; support Boston’s food economy; and promote environmentally sustainable and resilient food production.

Building on the work of the city’s previous Office of Food Access, OFJ works to embed food systems and racial equity approaches into existing food access programming, and to pursue whole-of-government strategies, in partnership with GrowBoston, that leverage city resources and partnerships to shift the city and region’s food system, reduce food insecurity and address the food system’s impact on climate. This includes close partnerships with other city and state departments, along with facilitating a community of practice of organizations, businesses and entities in the city who are addressing food insecurity and inequitable food access by developing a new food system.

Manage coordination between partners and raised bed recipients:

• Manage relationships between raised bed builders and recipients (individuals and community based organizations).
• In partnership with GrowBoston and raised bed builders, provide day-to-day support to raised bed recipients and community partners by phone, email and in person as needed.
• Track issues that arise in dissemination of raised bed gardens and develop potential proposed solutions in partnership with raised bed builders and GrowBoston.
• Support training of partner organizations on enrollment process.
• Support program partners’ understanding of the program and communication with raised bed recipients and raised bed builders, through written and verbal communications.
• Visit raised bed sites during and after builds as relevant.
• Support in developing a plan for food distribution from raised beds.
• Develop program communications as needed (social media, newsletters).

Lead data collection and reporting:

• Manage organization of raised bed recipient lists and status is up to date.
• Provide training and support to relevant partners on collection of data about population demographics and implementation progress.
• Support GrowBoston and OFJ in overall program evaluation and grant reporting.
• Consolidate feedback from raised bed recipients as part of program evaluation.

• Experience maintaining positive working relationships with internal and external partners, as well as constituents of all backgrounds.
• Demonstrated communication skills including experience with social media strategy and implementation.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, including developing timelines, meeting deadlines and monitoring progress towards goals.
• Experience with low-wealth communities.
• Experience with organizing primary program or clinical data, including familiarity with Excel.
• Ability to function independently but also seek guidance as needed.
• Optimism and a desire to work efficiently, attention to detail, an ability to make quick decisions and a desire to lead a team of volunteers.
• Familiarity with concepts of food insecurity, food justice, food equity, agriculture and/or health equity, etc.
• Access to an MA Drivers License and/or vehicle ideal.
• Bilingual a plus (Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese and Vietnamese).

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Hourly Rate: $26.42-$37.35  Part-time/ Non union

Hours per week: 20-25