Manager, California Climate-Friendly School Food Program

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues

To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment. This work is carried out by staff in our Berkeley, California and Washington, D.C. offices, as well as some remote locations.

Friends of the Earth’s Food and Agriculture program is working to rapidly transition our food system to one that is sustainable, healthy and just. We achieve success through a systems-based approach that weaves together market change and policy advocacy supported by intersectional organizing, cutting-edge science, and strategic communications. Our Climate-Friendly Food School Program helps school districts across California make the shift towards healthy, plant-forward and organic menus. Please see our website for more information on Friends of the Earth’s Climate-Friendly Food and school food work.

Position Summary: Friends of the Earth is seeking a talented individual with a passion for promoting healthy, climate-friendly, plant-forward, and sustainable food, including organic, pasture-raised, higher welfare animal products, to lead our California Climate-Friendly School Food Program. You will be responsible for developing and managing the implementation of program strategy and vision to scale-up climate-friendly school food procurement practices and policies, with a primary focus on California. Leading a program associate and consultants, you will provide technical assistance and marketing support to school districts to implement student and community engagement strategies. The role is also responsible for conducting research, producing reports, and linking school districts with the resources they need to be successful in shifting to climate-friendly menus. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development and Strategy

• Manage program associate and consultants and work with the Food and Agriculture Deputy Director and Development department to help implement a fundraising plan, draft grant proposals and reports, and cultivate relationships with donors and foundations.
• Ensure that the program is engaging with, uplifting the voices of, and meeting the needs of those most impacted by school meals, especially low-income families and communities of color.

Technical Assistance and Information Dissemination

• Make the case for climate-friendly food shifts and provide direct technical assistance and offer culturally appropriate, resources to assist school districts in shifting towards healthier, climate-friendly menu options.
• Collaborate with school districts on the creation of marketing materials and student engagement strategies.
• Conduct research and disseminate information on climate-friendly food via conferences, panels, webinars, research reports, and blogs.

Organizing and Advocacy

• Collaborate with Friends of the Earth’s policy team to build relationships with key policymakers in California and support the policy team’s school food policy priorities.
• Work with California school districts to encourage engagement in advocacy activities.

Required Qualifications

• At least 3-5 years’ experience working with institutional food service (e.g. menu development, culinary training and education, procurement, marketing, etc) preferably in a school setting.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• At least 5 years of experience and demonstrated success in program management and/or technical support leading to change in institutional foodservice settings or other institutional change in other environments.
• At least 2 years’ experience managing staff and/or consultants.
• A demonstrated commitment to environmental, social, and racial justice.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to inspire trust and respect among colleagues and partners.
• Excellent strategic thinking, relationship building, public speaking, writing, and facilitation skills.
• A highly motivated, quick learner who can take initiative and work independently.
• Excellent decision-making skills, professional initiative, time management, prioritization skills, and demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and creativity.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel frequently in California, with occasional west coast and national travel.

Preferred qualifications:

• Understanding of federal and state school food regulations and pathways to influence school food purchasing policies and practices is strongly preferred but not required.
• Culinary experience either as a chef or Registered Dietician.
• Fundraising experience including writing and securing foundation grants.
• Experience working in coordination with diverse organizations and coalitions
• Experience working directly with California school districts.

Position Type and Benefits

• 100% FTE including full benefit package.
• Location: Berkeley, CA, remote position possible.

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff.