New Roots Food Access Assistant
Job Description
Requisition ID: req37650
Job Title: New Roots Food Access Assistant
Sector: Program Administration
Employment Category: Occasional
Employment Type: Part-Time
Compensation: USD 22.50 – 23.90 Hourly
Location: Oakland, CA USA
Job Description
IRC Summary: The IRC in Northern California was established in 1975 in response to the needs of the growing refugee population. Over the past 40 years the IRC has resettled nearly 60,000 clients in Northern California. Originally focused on reception and placement the IRC provides a range of services including economic empowerment, immigration, food security, youth programming and case management for victims of trafficking. IRC’s New Roots program works with new immigrants and partners to develop community ties through culturally relevant programming in food access, collaborative education, cooking and farming.
Job Overview: Under the supervision of the New Roots team, the Food Access Assistant will support newcomer immigrant youth and community food access programming in Oakland and Alameda County. Employing community-based and collaborative approaches, the Assistant will work with youth and elder community members to facilitate cross-cultural program activities centered in health, wellness and environment. The Assistant will work closely with program interns, staff and partners (schools, direct service agencies, community-based organizations) to facilitate New Roots programs and events in public, community spaces. The Assistant will also support school garden maintenance and improvements with community members related to educational programming.
This is an on-call, hourly position; hours will vary from week to week.
Major Responsibilities:
Education Programs Support
Support New Roots Food Leadership Internship and high school youth programming including, co-facilitation, weekly school-based food access and food systems programming and off-site field trips,
Work with agency partners to co-develop food distribution systems with community youth and adult leaders,
Cultivate leadership development opportunities for youth and program participants.
Food and Agriculture Programs Support
Support food and agriculture operations and site maintenance at existing and new community gardens, improve current infrastructure and resource conservation initiatives,
Support organization and implementation of school-based community food distributions,
Assist in coordinating and carrying out community-building and wellness events,
Assist in coordinating public events, educational opportunities, volunteer support, work-days and other events and activities that support and promote newcomer food access and food systems literacy.
Administrative
Support outreach to students and families in collaboration with Oakland project partners,
Collect data as required for internal and external reporting,
Assist New Roots team with supervision of 2-4 seasonal interns and student leaders,
Participate in program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the IRC Oakland team
Other related duties as assigned
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: New Roots Program Manager and/or New Roots Food Access and Youth Education Specialists
Position directly supervises: N/A; May provide oversight and guidance to program volunteers & interns
Job Requirements:
A minimum of 2 years’ work experience in food (culinary or agriculture), newcomer school settings, community-based food programs, popular education, food sovereignty projects, and/or related field required,
Demonstrated experience with community organizing and engagement, particularly with newcomer communities and related to food justice and equity, food systems, agriculture or health/nutrition preferred,
Prior experience working with low-income, new immigrant, and pre-literate adults and youth in a non-traditional setting,
Strong practice of cultural humility through facilitation, communication, and organizational skills,
Basic carpentry/light construction and gardening/farming experience preferred,
Adaptable, creative and collaborative problem solver, self-starter, willing learner,
Fluency in written and spoken English required.
Fluency in Spanish and/or Mam preferred.
Ability to repeatedly and safely lift ~ 50 lbs (produce boxes/bags for food distribution)
Driver’s license and ability to drive a full size pick-up truck and passenger van.
Working Environment: Split time as required among office work environment, indoor and outdoor classrooms, urban gardens and school sites. Regular travel to field site operations weekly.
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.