Hiring: Food Access Program Manager – CISA

Job Opening: Program Manager- Food Access 

Status: 40 hours a week (full-time) 

Time Frame: Review begins July 10, position open until filled 

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) is a nonprofit organization that strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local food economy. We run the Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown® marketing campaign, educate the public about buying local, offer training and support for farmers, and support programs to increase access to local food in our region.  

Our team has a range of skills and life experiences and is a mix of trainers, former farmers, communicators, and administrators. We work to build a diverse and resilient food economy with viable farms, fair and just working conditions, strong environmental stewardship, and equitable local food access in all of our communities. We are committed to understanding the history and current impacts of racism in the food system and actively work towards equity and fairness. We strive to recruit and retain creative, ethical, smart, and innovative people and to cultivate an inclusive and diverse culture.  

 POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The Program Manager is a part of the team strengthening local agriculture by building connections between farmers and the community. The person in this position will be responsible for programming that connects farmers with people with low incomes or limited access to local food. Responsibilities include managing CISA’s Senior FarmShare program, managing our HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) retailer and consumer-focused outreach, developing and implementing support for farmers selling directly to consumers and for farmers’ markets, and leading efforts to increase local food access. The Program Manager coordinates day-to-day activities for these programs and supports grant writing, grant management, and communications related to this work. They also collaborate with the Program staff to set strategic goals for these programs and plans for new program foci, strategies, and activities. 

Our ideal candidate enjoys being part of a dynamic team; networking with service providers and organizations to find synergy and opportunity; and prioritizing activities to further CISA’s mission. The candidate is a capable project manager and can juggle multiple projects and think strategically.   

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Manage CISA’s Food Access Programming: Manage all aspects of CISA’s Food Access programming including:  

• • Educate and support farmers on how to accept and process SNAP and HIP payments; 
  • Supervise CISA’s HIP outreach and education activities; 
  • Manage CISA’s Senior FarmShare program; 
  • Coordinate with partners and networks to further local and regional food access efforts; 
  • Provide technical assistance trainings specifically for farmers’ market managers, mobile markets, and direct-market farmers (in coordination with the Technical Assistance team); 
  • Support farms and farmers’ markets in understanding and addressing equity issues in vendor and customer relations: and 
  • Assess food access needs and support CISA in developing and funding programming to meet that need.
  • Supervise, train, and evaluate staff, service members, interns, and volunteers and provide structure for the team to coordinate their activities

2. Assist with grant writing and advocacy related to our Food Access program area.

3. Work with other CISA departments to implement objectives, establish annual program goals; and execute the program’s objectives and work plan.

4. Collect, monitor, and report on program activities and measure outcomes against expected performance goals and objectives.

5. Support development and communications work by providing context, stories, outreach, and promotional support.

6. Bring creative and strategic thinking to further CISA’s mission.

7. Represent CISA at public presentations and other venues as needed.

Other Duties 

Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Director. 

REPORTING and SUPERVISION 

This position reports to the Deputy Director and provides direct supervision to a Program Assistant and a TerraCorp Service Member. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Strong candidates for this job have team-building and networking or customer service experience, strong communication skills, the ability to manage multiple deadlines and tasks, and an interest in evaluation as a tool for improvement. Specifically, we are looking for the following qualifications: 

• Five to seven years combined experience as a program manager, team leader, supervisor and/or facilitator; 
• Three to five years of experience or related education in the areas of customer or client services, organizing, and/or networking; 
• Ability to manage a collaborative team of professional program staff; 
• Ability to communicate effectively through multiple channels; strong writer; 
• Excellent organizational skills and comfort managing multiple details and priorities;  

• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups of people; 
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office and internet research, and experience with web-based applications (e.g. Constant Contact, WordPress); 
• Experience with databases required (Airtable or customer relationship management apps preferred); and, 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent life and/or work experience.
  

PREFERENCES 

It’s a plus if you are comfortable grant writing and have prior experience in nonprofit organizations. It’s also a plus if you speak Spanish or have other skills or experience that can help further CISA’s mission to more equitably serve those working in agriculture and local food businesses and accessing local food. You don’t have to already be tapped into how amazing local agriculture is but if you are, that’s great!  

HOURS AND COMPENSATION
Salary is $60,000- 65,000, depending on experience. This is a full-time, exempt position. Health care, vision, dental, long-term disability, 401K matching, sick time, 11 paid holidays, 4 personal days, and 15 vacation days in the first year are offered. Access to a car and some weekend and evening availability are required. 

CISA is currently operating with a hybrid office model with at least two days a week in the office and up to three days from home. We allow staff flexibility in their regular schedules and understand that flexibility can support a healthy work-life balance. Travel within CISA’s service area (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, MA) for outreach and events will be required.   

Writing samples and references may be requested.  

CISA is an equal opportunity employer. CISA will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with CISA on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive environment. 

To apply, please complete applicant questions and attach your resume via our online application form. CISA no longer requires cover letters and will not review them. Instead, we ask applicants to answer specific questions to allow us to get to know you and your interest in this position. Questions can be sent to jennifer@buylocalfood.org. References may be requested.