JOB: CITY OF BOSTON – MAYOR’S DIRECTOR OF FOOD INITIATIVES

Position Title: Director of Food Initiatives In December 2008, Mayor Thomas M. Menino established the Boston Food Council to ensure access to healthy food and expand local food sources for the residents and businesses of Boston and the region. The Council, composed of representatives from the public, private and non-profit sectors of the food industry, provides a broad range of expertise and resources to inform a city-wide food agenda. The Council established four goals, each with a related set of initiatives, to address the directive set forward by the Mayor: 1) Increase access to healthy and affordable food, 2) Expand Boston’s capacity to produce, distribute and consume local food 3) Promote food as an economic development strategy and 4) Expand private and public partnerships to advance the food agenda. Brief Job Description: Under the direction of the Mayor’s Office and in collaboration with senior administrative officials, the Director of Food Initiatives will develop and implement the City of Boston’s food agenda, assist in convening the Boston Food Council, and promote and implement recommendations set forth by the Council. The Director will monitor the progress of key initiatives, and report on progress to the public at regular intervals.

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Job Responsibilities Include:

• Define and communicate Food Council agenda and track dates & implementation of various council items;

• Work with senior City officials, partners, and other staff to develop and implement city-wide food initiatives;

• Identify emerging opportunities and incubate new food initiatives related to Council goals;

• Work closely with press office to inform the public of important announcements and major events pertaining to the Boston Food Council;

• Identify and raise new funding through foundations, and other federal, state and private sources;

• Promote and communicate Boston’s food agenda to the public by clarifying city-wide resources on access to local, healthy food, sharing progress on city-wide food initiatives and Council activities, and launching campaigns to promote local purchases of fresh food in partnership with appropriate City agencies and partners;

• Enlist stakeholder participation in identifying and removing barriers to food access; conduct information sessions and workshops on food systems; inform Council members on food policy and related matters.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

• 4-6 years relevant experience in project management, policy research, development, and implementation, relationship management and/or supervision;

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university required;

• Graduate degree and/or coursework in public policy, business, or food systems and nutrition preferred;

• Demonstrated skills and experience in developing and implementing work plans with multiple project strands for public-private coalitions;

• Excellent writing skills for writing reports, grants, issue papers, and related documents;

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently;

• Ability to work effectively and collaborate with diverse groups of people;

• Commitment to advancing the healthy, local food agenda and promoting the work of the Boston Food Council;

• Familiarity with Boston’s neighborhoods and Boston’s health, land, and food business-related issues a plus;

• Boston residency required

Compensation: Commensurate with experience ($55,000 – $75,000 plus benefits)

Reports to: Mayor Thomas M. Menino

Contact: To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to cobfoodinitiative@cityofboston.gov. Position is open immediately