Local Food System Coordinator
Cambria County, PA

Job Overview
The Local Food System Coordinator position facilitates the collaboration of food system partners to develop and incubate projects and programs that further the goals and priorities for a strong, vibrant regional food system in Cambria County characterized by abundant local food production, equitable food access, economic vitality, and a healthy community. The incumbent will be located at the 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health in Johnstown, PA. This is a 2 year grant-funded position with the possibility of extension.

In response to the food security and poor health outcomes of the region, residents came together to implement a community-driven strategy through the USDA/EPA Local Foods, Local Places process and brainstormed action items around two main goals: 1) Improve coordination between community partners to advance food system initiatives and 2) Increase access to local foods that promote improved health outcomes. The Local Food Systems Coordinator will primarily focus on supporting Cambria County’s existing local food systems infrastructure, with the ultimate goal of being the point person for all things food-related and increasing access to local, healthy foods for low-income residents and all residents.

Responsibilities

  • Implement initiatives that connect Cambria County growers/producers to local distributors (i.e. food distribution agencies, schools, etc) and, ultimately, low-income consumers
  • Coordinate efforts among the agriculture, food security, and resident communities; seek opportunities to leverage existing resources and carry out cross-sector projects
  • Initiate and maintain strong partnering relationships with stakeholders who have an interest in food access and local foods, including growers, distributors, and consumers
  • Lead Johnstown-Cambria Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP) coalition; facilitate regular LFLP meetings and implementation of LFLP Community Action Plan
  • Identify and support opportunities for local growers to enhance local markets with their agricultural products
  • Participate in food system-related meetings locally and statewide
  • Identify and apply for grant opportunities to advance coalition and project work
  • Collect and analyze data for evaluation of food access efforts
  • Educate local consumers about the benefits of supporting local farms and buying local food
  • Deliver presentations to a variety of audiences to educate them about food insecurity
  • Learn about food system best practices and share them with partners
  • Advocate for food policy improvements
  • Additional responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

  • Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in related field; social/human services or agriculture degrees preferred; or possess a combination of applicable education, training and experience that is equivalent to a 4-year degree or greater
  • Minimum of 2 years experience in food system or related work demonstrating knowledge of local, regional, and national food system issues AND/OR a minimum of 2 years of demonstrated experience cultivating relationships with external constituencies, including historically under-served and/or under-represented populations.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Possess an attitude of collaboration for working with community organizations
  • Self-starter and ability to move forward with assignment given broad parameters
  • Ability to communicate with people from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds
  • Excellent computer skills required
  • Automobile and valid Pennsylvania Driver’s license are required. Work related travel is reimbursed at the federal reimbursement rate.

Disclaimer: The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all responsibilities, duties, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

To apply: Email résumé and letter of interest to cphinfo@jefferson.edu with the subject line: “Local Food System Coordinator position.”