Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an outgoing and energetic youth culinary-based education trainer and support with demonstrated initiative and clear organizational and communication skills to build capacity for the Farm Fresh RI Harvest Kitchen program. Harvest Kitchen is a 20-week culinary and job-readiness training program for youth within the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF). The youth create a line of high-quality preserved foods using ingredients sourced from local farms, while building a stable foundation to maintain employment beyond their time with Harvest Kitchen. This position offers a unique opportunity to support existing trainees through curriculum enhancement and evaluation, develop partnerships with local social service agencies, prepare high-quality food for the cafe and catered events, and assist Harvest Kitchen program staff in referring and supporting youth trainees to additional programs beyond the Harvest Kitchen program. Application deadline is April 7, 2023.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Assist Harvest Kitchen (HK) staff with administrative tasks like invoicing, social media activities, POS maintenance, and customer service.
- With the support of the HK Assistant Director, help in refining existing Harvest Kitchen training curriculum to deepen activities around food security, farming, and community economic development.
- Work with the HK Assistant Director and Program Director and develop engaging activities, both inside the kitchen and out, to help deepen the experiential learning opportunities for the students.
- Assist in daily activities at Harvest Kitchen including basic preparation of food for the cafe and catered events, production of jarred products, and soft skill development.
- Cultivate relationships with new and existing internship sites.
- Seek opportunities for collaboration between HK trainees and outside organization programs and services.
- Classroom teaching and training support.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed to Perform this Role
- Ability to obtain ServeSafe Manager Certification within six months of employment
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills needed to effectively convey information across other departments
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care and the population Harvest Kitchen works with
- Great attention to detail
- Self starter and ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Excellent time-management skills
- Ability to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
- Knowledge and experience with the local food system and/or the juvenile justice system and deep understanding of communities in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls desired
- Bilingual or multilingual skills, particularly Spanish speaking skills, desired
- Prior food service experience welcomed, but not required
Physical Demands (Physical, Mental & Environmental)
The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the company are available to address the following requirements.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit/stand for long periods of time at a desk; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls on computers; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear in meetings and on the telephone or on the computer in an office or variable setting.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Employees must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to travel, which may include travel via car, train, airline, overnight hotel stays.
Benefits
- This is considered a full-time, hourly, benefit-eligible position with a starting wage of $21 per hour.
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holiday benefits.
- Monthly contributions to flexible health, dental, and life insurance plans.
- Annual professional development credit and opportunities.
- IRA matching contribution after two years of employment.
To Apply
- Please send your resume and cover letter to Sean Kontos at [email protected] with subject line “HK Program Support.”
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Final application deadline is April 7, 2023.
- No phone calls or drop-ins please.
Organizational Info
Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s work environment is fast-paced and collaborative. We value creative thinking, approach our work with energetic spirit, and strive to have fun together while we’re at it!
Farm Fresh RI has grown briskly since achieving 501c3 status in 2007, to capture the public interest in locally grown food and translate it into sales for local and regional farmers and producers. Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh RI hosts a variety of programs to enhance the local food system, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food. Farm Fresh also operates a range of marketplace programs (retail, wholesale, processing) that engage and connect tens of thousands of eaters with thousands of farmers and food producers across the Northeast region.
Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of farmers and eaters in our region.
Vision: A Northeast region abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every dinner table.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment for all employees. We encourage enquiries from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our organization. Farm Fresh RI does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, disability status or any other status protected under applicable local, state, or federal law. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an Equal Opportunity Provider.