full time job at environment hamilton

Environment Hamilton Seeking Full-time Project Manager

for Hamilton Eat Local Project

Background:

Hamilton Eat Local is a project that was initiated by Environment Hamilton and its community partners* in 2004 to educate and inspire the public about the importance of eating locally and sustainably produced food as a means to preserving local agriculture, increasing the economic viability of local family farms and promoting environmental stewardship. Key components of the project have been the on-line local food directory and the Buy Local Buy Fresh map. Now in its second year of publication, the map has become an indispensable guide to local food sources.

We are looking for a passionate, committed local food activist to take on the role of Project Manager of the Hamilton Eat Local Project. This individual will continue the key efforts already initiated and will build on these efforts by continuing to strengthen and nurture the commitment of Hamiltonians to local food production and consumption. The project revolves around efforts to raise awareness about the direct connections between local food production and consumption and community sustainability (economic, social, environmental) and to implement appropriate solutions.

This position is full time at 35 hours per week and $19/hour. The Project Manager reports to the Executive Director of Environment Hamilton.

Overall responsibility:

The Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, including internal and external communications, with the assistance of a part-time communications coordinator.

The overall goals of the project manager are to:

· Expand and develop the project

· Engage the public and key stakeholders in the local food system

· Generate public awareness of and commitment to the provincial Greenbelt and the role it plays in local food sustainability

· Increase awareness of and membership in Environment Hamilton through the project

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Public Outreach and Stakeholder Relations:

· Continued development and distribution of the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Map

· Development and distribution of the monthly newsletter

· Development of printed external communication for the project (brochures, flyers, advertisements)

· Media relations campaign and media monitoring

· Preparation and delivery of presentations on local food to professional associations, community organizations and other interested stakeholders

· Networking with provincial organizations promoting the consumption of locally grown food, and with Hamilton-based organizations working to achieve the same end

· Representing Environment Hamilton/ Eat Local at meetings, on committees and at other networking events

· Facilitating and helping plan major third party fundraisers and other special events

· Participating in conferences and outreach events

Administrative Duties (shared with Market Expansion Coordinator):

· Field public inquiries

· Manage website maintenance

· Maintain budget

· Provide administrative support to Project Advisory Committee

· Prepare regular project up-dates for ED, EH Board, and Project Advisory Committee

· Maintain database of farmer clients and volunteer network

Volunteer management (shared with Market Expansion Coordinator):

· Recruit and engage community volunteers in Eat Local efforts

· Recognize outstanding volunteer efforts

New business development (shared with Market Expansion Coordinator):

· Seek out and secure additional sources of funding for EH's Eat Local work through grant-writing

Qualifications (preferred):

· Working knowledge of local agriculture and related organizations

· Awareness of/ involvement in urban local food networks and sustainable food systems

· Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies/ Science, Agriculture or related fields

· Experience developing and implementing grassroots campaigns

· Demonstrated media relations skills

· Familiarity with internet-based communications, including blogs

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

· Computer skills including: word processing, desktop publishing, database management, web/blog updating

Interested candidates should send their resume, along with the names of three references, to Lynda Lukasik at Environment Hamilton by August 22nd. Resumes can be e-mailed to contactus@environmenthamilton.org or mailed, to the attention of Lynda Lukasik, to:

Environment Hamilton

1130 Barton Street East, Suite 207

Hamilton, ON L8H 7P9

Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

*OPIRG McMaster and our Eat Local working group were community partners