Food System Specialist

More information, including detailed position description, can be found at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./jobs

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission, based in Culpeper, Virginia, seeks an energetic and detail-oriented individual for its Food System Specialist position. The successful applicant will be able to work independently and in collaboration with local school nutrition programs within the region in supporting ongoing farm to school efforts, and will provide support to other Regional Commission programmatic areas including regional tourism, food system planning, and environmental and natural resources coordination.

Education and experience in agriculture, nutrition, food system planning, sustainability, marketing or other relevant areas is required. The position may be filled at the Planner or Planner I level, depending on qualifications and experience.

Essential Responsibilities include the following, together with other projects and duties as assigned.

Create and implement farm to school programming to improve school meal quality and participation through:

• Increasing local food procurement by assisting with value chain coordination
• Menuing local foods in school meal programs using the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) Harvest of the Month Program as the framework.
• Preparing tasting portions of recipes highlighting Harvest of the Month food items
• Outreach and education, such as social media posts, recipe demonstrations and videos

Assist in marketing the Commission’s local food, agritourism and tourism promotion programs:

• Conduct social media advertising, develop print ads and attend outreach events
• Manage program membership and conduct member outreach
• Track success of marketing channels using such tools as Wix and Meta analytics
• Perform research, data collection and analysis in support of relevant local and regional efforts

Provide support to overall organization goals and strategic direction:

• Track program performance across all 5 counties and timely report to the Regional Commission, school districts, funders, and government agencies
• Research and write effective grant proposals and complete all relevant grant reporting.
• Assist the Executive Director and other Commission staff in coordinating and managing regional and local projects
• Participate on applicable RRRC and outside committees, such as the regional tourism committee, regional food council and Virginia Farm to School Leadership Team
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities to further partnerships between the Commission, applicable state and federal agencies, and member jurisdictions
• Regularly apprise manager and fellow staff of findings, ongoing and proposed activities