New Roots Program Specialist At International Rescue Committee

Job Overview: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (“IRC”) is a leading nonsectarian organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. In the U.S., the IRC resettles approximately 11,000 refugees per year and provides numerous program services to assist refugees from their arrival through citizenship. The IRC in Salt Lake City opened its office in 1994, providing resettlement services through extended case management to newly arrived refugees for up to 24-months as well as over twenty different programs to educate and empower refugees. New Roots in Salt Lake City is an innovative agriculture and food access program that provides opportunities for refugees to garden, start farm-based businesses, and access healthy, local, culturally appropriate produce. ​

The New Roots Program Specialist will work with the New Roots Markets Coordinator to facilitate farmer sales through farmers markets, wholesale buyers, food distributions, and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. The specialist will build the capacity of the New Roots program to help refugee farmers earn income through market sales and increase healthy food access for low-income customers. This position will assist in all day-to-day operations of New Roots wholesale operations and farmers markets including operating the Sunnyvale Farmers Market and Sunnyvale Food Pantry. This position supports a New Roots goal of improving food security for the residents of Salt Lake County with an emphasis on refugee and immigrant customers. This position reports to the New Roots Markets Coordinator.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Farmers Markets

  • Facilitate day-to-day operations of New Roots farmers markets including coordinating staffing, produce incentive programs, and New Roots-operated food pantries.
  • Collaborate with Markets Coordinator in developing marketing materials for farmers markets and New Roots; assist in management and content creation for social media accounts.
  • Conduct market outreach through online and direct marketing methods.
  • Attend community and partner meetings to cultivate and grow relationships with stakeholders in the communities each market serves. ​
  • Manage the EBT and Double Up Food Bucks redemption booth at New Roots run farmers markets.
  • Manage and coordinate volunteers and New Roots youth participants at farmers markets to deliver services at the Sunnyvale Food Pantry and benefits booth and complete market recordkeeping.
  • Manage the Sunnyvale Food Pantry by placing orders, transporting supplies, incorporating feedback, and tracking pantry data.

CSA and Wholesale

  • Serve as a liaison to wholesale buyers and New Roots farmers, and support farmers in building capacity to independently manage wholesale accounts.
  • Coordinate with wholesale produce buyers and farmers to ensure produce is harvested and delivered to the buyer.
  • Assist with harvesting, packing, post-harvest handling activities with farmer participants on-site, and with delivery of produce.
  • Facilitate produce aggregation for wholesale and CSA, track buyer invoicing, and wholesale and CSA recordkeeping.
  • Collaborate with the New Roots Markets Coordinator to distribute farmer payments from institutional and farmers market sales and to support record keeping and communication with farmers on sales and payments.​
  • Understand and adhere to all food safety standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs) while helping farm program participants to do the same.​
  • Maintain produce handling and processing infrastructure; conduct farm cleaning and sanitation practices in alignment with Food Safety and GAP measures including cleaning wash station, walk-in cooler, storage containers, and vehicles.
  • Manage excess produce donations to area food banks and shelters.​
  • Provide training and technical assistance to farm program participants on produce quality, marketing, sales, and business development topics.

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate in land development, preparation, and ongoing management including soil remediation, infrastructure development and installation, seasonal plot preparation, and farm layout planning.​
  • Assist in recruiting and managing volunteers and interns to support programming, supporting outreach and recruitment for New Roots programs overall, contributing to reporting as necessary, and other tasks as needed.
  • Collaborate with other staff to represent New Roots in the larger community including attending outreach events and planning and executing events and volunteer days. ​
  • Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the team.​
  • Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the organization.​
  • Satisfy recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
  • May train and lead the activities of volunteers and interns.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Business, International Studies, Environmental Sciences, Social Science, or related field of study preferred.

Work Experience:

  • Relevant professional experience required; minimum of 1 year of experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

  • Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Conversational English preferred; proficiency in language(s) spoken by client group(s) (including but not limited to: Arabic, Swahili, Kirundi, Nepali, Pashto, and others) is desired.
  • Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational skills including multi-tasking, prioritizing, planning, and effective time management. ​
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.
  • Ability to safely lift approximately 50 pounds.
  • Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment:

  • A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
  • This position requires frequent weekend (Saturdays) and/or evening work (Wednesday) seasonally during the growing season.
  • The majority of this position takes place out of the office and outside where inclement weather can and will happen. Candidates must be prepared for working in hot temperatures and are responsible for preparing for their workdays with adequate drinking water, sun protection, and nutrition. ​

​COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

​Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

​US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

How to apply

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/39845?c=rescue

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