Food AND Medicine

Food Justice Organizer

Based in Brewer, ME

 

Job Description
Founded in 2002, Food AND Medicine is a progressive grassroots community organization working for food justice, worker rights, civic engagement and political education, especially around issues causing and resulting from poverty. Our work and name is based on the belief that no one should have to choose between food, medicine and other basic necessities. We use a hybrid of intentional direct service and community organizing to build power among working class and low-income people, and see our work as “Solidarity, not charity.” We work closely with local labor unions, including the Eastern Maine Labor Council, as well as many partner organizations and allied groups.

We are seeking to add an experienced and versatile full-time Food Justice Organizer to our team to work on our food justice programs, especially managing our collective gardens network and on-site greenhouse, build relationships with and develop leaders among our members, volunteers and allies. This position is based in Brewer (Bangor), Maine, and is an integral part of our small staff team; while occasional remote work is possible, this is an in-person position. As a small organization, staff wear many hats; there is a potential for this position to include a management role, depending on the skills of the right candidate.

Key responsibilities include:

• Run a robust organizing program at our network of collective/community gardens, to identify and develop leaders and build organizational structures to run the gardens and further develop food justice programs. The work will include knocking doors, one-on-one outreach, surveys, events and meetings to encourage involvement of community members in the gardens and related programs. The goal is to develop committees at each garden network to ultimately self-sustain and alleviate staff involvement.
• Develop and implement meetings, one-on-one outreach, surveys, events and actions to involve FAM’s constituency as volunteers and leaders in programs and as active FAM members generally.
• Organize and empower members to attend events, share their story, reach out to allies, speak to the media, attend committee meetings, volunteer, and otherwise become more involved in the organization and movement.
• Facilitate members’ consciousness and foster analysis of obstacles to low-income communities’ access to basic necessities in relation to broader social issues and systemic inequality.
• Contribute to fundraising activities including grant research and writing, phone banking, database updating, membership fundraising and the like.
• Contribute to organization-wide annual events and ad-hoc events and other programs, which may include our political program and civic engagement.
• Other duties as assigned; FAM has a small staff and all are expected to work together and chip in as needed.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Solid experience and knowledge of gardening or farming, the ability to oversee and empower volunteers to successfully grow thousands of seedlings, and plant multiple vegetable gardens with other compatible plants. 
• Minimum two years experience in grassroots community or union organizing strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with grassroots and/or union organizing strategies and techniques; interest and willingness to learn new or alternative methods.
• Three years’ relevant experience in staff supervision and/or volunteer management preferred. Demonstrated leadership and organizing skills at work, on campus, or in the community. 
• Experience in or knowledge of politics, the electoral and legislative process, especially as it relates to issues affecting low-income people and workers.
• Comfort with making phone calls, canvassing, surveying or encouraging people to become involved, complete surveys or sign petitions. Meeting facilitation skills and public speaking experience preferred.
• Strong computer, problem-solving and analytical skills. This position requires solid proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets. Comfortable working with and learning new office software, internet and email environments, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive and others. 
• Physical requirements include ability to spend hours listening and talking; working via computer and telephone; driving frequently to meetings and events; lifting of equipment and materials, often up to 50 pounds.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, prioritizing, delegating, and keeping to deadlines. Excellent attention to detail and follow-through. Ability and commitment to do long-haul, sometimes gritty, organizing. Clear, thorough and timely documentation of the work is critical.
• A commitment to FAM’s mission, values and approach, which focuses on grassroots organizing, leadership development, building power, social and economic justice in Maine. 
• A collaborative working spirit and desire to explore ideas, test assumptions, and find solutions as a team.
• Ability to follow directions, and anticipate or suggest appropriate and creative next steps. Ability to adapt to changing situations mid-stream, and to comfortably interact with and build relationships with all types of people.
• Proficiency with social media platforms, online fundraising tools and strategies for nonprofit organizations. 
• Strong verbal and writing skills, and the ability to represent FAMs goals, objectives and outcomes for programs and projects, both verbally and in writing without assistance from AI. Preferred experience in non-profit fundraising and development including grant-writing, solicitation and event planning.
• Willingness to work occasional long days; some night and weekend meetings or events are a normal part of this work.

Application Process
Timeline: Search will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Applications will start to be reviewed immediately and the position will be hired as soon as an appropriate candidate is selected. 

How To Apply: Interested applicants should send all four of the following: (1) cover letter, (2) résumé, (3) at least three references, and (4) a (non-AI) writing sample to: FAM@foodandmedicine.org.

Inquiries can be directed to: fam@foodandmedicine.org.

FAM is an equal opportunity employer. Women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, low-income, people of color, working class people are particularly encouraged to apply.

Compensation/Benefits: Salary range is competitive for the region and depending on experience, $23 – $29/hour. Benefits include 100% employer paid health insurance, dental, and vision benefits; a retirement plan with match; compensatory time and generous paid time off covered under a union collective bargaining agreement.