Food and Farming Program Director

Ecology Center Background:

The Ecology Center's mission is to inspire and build a sustainable, healthy, and just future for the East Bay, California, and beyond. Since 1970, we've transformed sustainability ideas into everyday practice, offering actionable information, reliable infrastructure, and leadership for lasting change. We operate the nation's first curbside recycling service, nationally recognized food and farming programs, and model education, engagement, and youth development activities.

Role Overview:

The Food and Farming Program Director works under the supervision of the Deputy Director and in collaboration with the Executive Director and Leadership Team to plan and oversee all Ecology Center Food and Farming Department operations, finances, promotion, and policy advocacy. The Food and Farming Program Director provides vision, leadership, and direction for our statewide nutrition incentive (Market Match) and Famers Market Access and Equity (FMAE) programs, the California Alliance of Farmers Markets (CAFM), and our local Berkeley Farmers' Markets. This role involves collaborating with various food and farming movements, direct marketing associations, agencies, policymakers, and organizations to engage with stakeholders and develop policies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop plans, policies, goals, and objectives for the Food & Farming Department in accordance with grant and compliance requirements ,and the goals and strategies of the Ecology Center mission and strategic plan
• Develop and adhere to annual budget and fiscal control policies in collaboration with Finance & Operations Director and Deputy Director, monitor departmental expenses, and provide financial projections for program activities
• Oversee proposal and budget preparation, application, implementation, and execution of federal, state, and institutional grants and contracts following applicable requirements and regulations in order to meet grant deliverables
• Actively participate in organizational Leadership Team and engage in cross-organizational leadership, including the Ecology Center's efforts to advance Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) across the organization's policies, culture, relationships and programs
• Hire, train, supervise, support, coach, and evaluate performance of Food & Farming Department staff, including direct supervision of two Senior Program Managers; oversee development of collaborative, collegial program teams and department overall and support building positive, collaborative, equity-focused organizational culture
• Lead, develop, and oversee statewide programmatic activity of the California Market Match Program, the California Farmers' Market EBT project, the California Alliance of Farmers' Markets, and other emergent program areas
• Work proactively and collaboratively with like-minded organizations, local, state, and federal policy-makers to develop policies and initiatives to build and grow sustainable food systems
• Work with the Executive Director, Business Development Director, and Operations & Finance Director to lead fundraising for the Food and Farming Department; participate in organization-wide fundraising and other membership development events and activities
• Maintain and foster strong external relationships with key partners, including government, elected officials, program officers, and local, state, and regional food movement leaders, and community organizations
• Maintain familiarity with, follow, and ensure staff compliance with all Ecology Center policies and procedures in the performance of daily duties
• Present at conferences and workshops, and lead and participate in coalition and industry activities that further Ecology Center strategic goals
• Provide senior programmatic leadership on marketing and communications Occasionally back-upmarket management as needed
• Perform other duties assigned
• Supervise and provide guidance to direct reports and additional program staff, ensuring effective performance, professional development, and alignment with organizational
• Cultivate a strong and motivated team by providing support, setting clear expectations, and encouraging a culture of accountability and teamwork.
• Foster a collaborative atmosphere by working closely with direct reports and other staff to achieve program objectives.
• Identify and implement strategies to build team engagement, improve performance, and ensure high levels of job satisfaction across the program.

Qualifications:

• Strong supervisory and staff management and motivational
• Proven ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in a variety of environments and situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Experience working for and commitment to building sustainable food
• Demonstrated success in Experience managing federal grant
• The skills to build the farmers' markets as successful businesses while furthering the Ecology Center's environmental and community mission.
• Ability and enthusiasm for developing and maintaining relationships with participants including farmers, vendors, customers, neighbors, civic and movement leaders, and members of the public.
• Demonstrable ability to effectively resolve conflicts particularly with the
• The ability and willingness to enforce policies with staff, vendors, partners and the
• Demonstrated success with marketing, press, and
• Demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and reporting

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Non-Profit Management, Public Relations, Communications, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Or minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, fundraising, communications, or related roles, along with supervising employees, preferably within the non-profit sector.

Physical Demands:

• Regularly talk or hear upto 6 hours a day; Regularly sit, type, and use keyboard/mouse up to 7 hours a day; Regularly sit and stand from chair up to 20 times a day; Occasionally stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms;
• Occasionally climb stairs and/ortakeelevator;Occasionallygetinandoutofcarupto6 times a day; and
• Occasionallydriveindryandwetweather,usuallyduringdaylighthours,butoccasionally in the evening hours;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty five(25)pounds

Salary & Benefits:

• Pay range $99,830 to $119,796 DOE, plus full medical and dental insurance, optional vision insurance, vacation, sick leave, holiday leave, employer-matched 401kplan, Employee Assistance Program and AD&D.

People of color, people LGBTQIA-identified, women, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. EOE/AA.

Ecology Center requires a successful background check contingent to hire.