Manager of Culinary Literacy, Food Moxie

Posted by Food Moxie on November 27, 2017

Revised 11.21.17 (posting)

Are you ready to apply your talents as an educator to the growth of an innovative nonprofit that builds healthier communities by connecting people to the earth, their food, and each other? Do you want to be challenged by your work, learn a ton of stuff, contribute to creating a new way of interacting with the earth and the food it produces, have a lot of fun, be inspired, and make a significant impact?

Job Overview & Requirements
Food Moxie seeks a Manager of Culinary Literacy (MoCL) who will develop curriculum for – and lead – our cooking and nutrition programs across all sites. The MoCL will work collaboratively with other program staff to deliver innovative budget-conscious cooking and nutrition education programs using a team-based approach.

Responsibilities include curriculum development aligned with program goals and objectives, recipe development and costing, and providing instruction in healthy cooking techniques. They will maintain, create, and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders including site partners (teachers, caseworkers, etc.) and community organizations. The successful candidate will have high emotional intelligence and be able to easily develop trusting relationships with diverse individuals from many different backgrounds. The MoCL will have a strong work ethic, the ability to lead and adapt, and a commitment to Food Moxie’s mission and values.

Our story: Food Moxie was founded in 2007 as Weavers Way Community Programs, the nonprofit affiliate of Weavers Way Cooperative. From seed to supper, Food Moxie educates and inspires people to grow, prepare, and eat healthy food. We accomplish this through our work with underserved students, children, and families in one of the poorest and most food insecure communities in the country. We use garden and culinary education programs – both growing food and cooking food – to promote nutrition and healthy eating habits. We share knowledge, tools, and inspiration, to connect individuals to the power they have to transform their own health and the health of their communities.

Reports to: Program Director
Supervises: PT Education Specialist(s), Volunteers/Interns

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Curriculum Development & Delivery – Culinary Literacy & Nutrition
• Design and deliver culinary literacy and nutrition curricula at all sites
• Create learning opportunities that inspire people to cook nutritious, seasonally-inspired meals
• Develop and implement curricula for after school, in school, and summer programs
• Design and deliver both one-time and series classes in culinary literacy and nutrition
• Ensure that culinary literacy education spaces are clean, safe, and organized

Home & Community Support
• Deliver “fresh start” kits to homes of foundational cooking program participants
• Provide follow up visit(s) and/or check-ins to provide encouragement and coaching to ensure that participants have been able to maintain cooking practice and have necessary tools and supplies
• Lead grocery store educational tours to promote fresh food and efficient usage of food budget
• Promote resources for continued education and practice in urban gardening, farming, nutrition, and culinary literacy in the Philadelphia area

Outreach & Engagement
• Participate in community meetings at Stenton Family Manor on bi-weekly or monthly basis
• Work with stakeholders at program sites to develop strategies to increase program participation, including actively publicizing and recruiting for educational events

Volunteer/Seasonal & PT Staff Management
• Orient seasonal staff, student interns, and volunteers to sites and provide on-boarding
• Oversee day-to-day activities of PT/seasonal staff and volunteers
• Complete performance evaluations & performance improvement as needed

Record Keeping, Documentation & Meetings
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records
• Submit weekly/monthly/quarterly reports as requested
• Participate in meetings and retreats

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES
• At least two years of relevant professional experience including stovetop cooking, cooking on a limited budget, program facilitation, fostering a sense of community, and building trust
• Bachelor’s degree in education or relevant field; will consider equivalent work experience
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Valid driver’s license (or willing and able to acquire one prior to starting employment); regular and reliable access to a vehicle
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience supervising staff and volunteers
• Experience working with communities of color, with a nuanced understanding of systemic oppressions
• Ability to work with people at all ages and stages from diverse backgrounds, including children/youth, those experiencing homelessness, and those with differing intellectual and/or physical abilities
• Flexible, resourceful, and adaptable to unexpected situations
• Ability to work independently and solve problems collaboratively
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google products

JOB PARTICULARS, COMPENSATION, AND BENEFITS
Type: Full Time, Exempt (occasional evenings/weekends)
Sites: All Sites, Home Visits, Community Events
Compensation: $34,000-37,000 (commensurate with experience)
Competitive benefits packaging, including medical/dental/life/disability insurance; 401k plan plus match; 15% discount at Weavers Way Co-op; generous paid time off

HIRING PROCESS & TIMELINE
To apply: Send a resume and thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position, and explaining how you heard about this opportunity, to [email protected] using the subject line: Manager of Culinary Literacy.

Deadline: 12/11/17 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will contact only those candidates whose professional experience meets our requirements. No phone calls please.

Process: We will conduct short phone interviews to screen qualified applicants on a rolling basis.
▪ In-person interviews will begin in mid-December.
▪ Finalists will be invited to a second-round interview; an offer will be made shortly thereafter
▪ We would like the selected candidate to start in early January

Note: Before the start of employment, any potential employee must pass:
▪ PA Child Abuse History Clearance;
▪ PA Criminal Record Check; and
▪ FBI Criminal Background Check. Staff working directly with children must complete the free online course mandated by Pennsylvania on Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse.

FOOD MOXIE values and promotes a culture of inclusion, seeking staff from diverse backgrounds. FOOD MOXIE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected factor. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.