The North Woods Food Project Is Hiring A Director!

The Northwoods Food Project is thrilled to announce that we're hiring a Director!

Overview: The Northwoods Food Project seeks a visionary director to take our organization into its next phase. The Director will lead efforts to grow our organization’s capacity to fulfill our mission of supporting a sustainable local food system in Cook County, MN.
Key features of this role will include community engagement, program development, administrative management, and capacity building. The ideal candidate will thrive in an independent role, be an excellent relationship builder, have a passion for sustainable local food, and have experience in nonprofit management. 

Currently, secured grant funding will support this position at 5-10 hours per week to start.
Initial projects will include:
● Assisting with coordination of access programs at Grand Marais Farmers Market
● Leading a multi-month community project to research and develop a plan for a shared local food processing equipment lending program with partners from the U of MN.
Pending additional funding will support the expansion of this position to include responsibilities such as:
● Community engagement
● Engage community partners in developing programs around local food production, education, processing, and access.
● Represent the organization at community events
● Cultivate and manage partnerships with other organizations both locally and regionally
● Program development
● Work closely with each work group of the organization:

1. Local Food Production- lead efforts to build programs to support more people in becoming local food producers


2. Local Food Education- coordinate with board members and volunteers to develop and offer community education around the growing, preparing, and preserving of local foods


3. Local food Processing- develop local ability of farmers and home producers to create value-added local food products through a shared equipment hub and potential food processing space

● Program and event planning and management
● Administrative Management
● Budgeting and keeping track of funds
● Board management (communications, record keeping)
● Organizational communications (newsletters, flyers, radio, website, etc.)
● Capacity building
● Grant writing, management
● Fundraising through other means including developing donors
● Researching and connecting with regional and national projects and work around local food

Essential skills:
Time management
Ability to work independently
Ability to prioritize competing time demands
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
Flexibility and a sense of humor

Qualifications:
Experience with grant writing, fundraising, administrative management, program development
Strong written communication, oral communication, and presentation skills
A proven ability to develop and sustain working relationships with diverse stakeholder groups
Working ability to perform tasks involving frequent repetitive motions, prolonged sitting, standing, bending, twisting, lifting, and carrying 20 pounds frequently, with occasional exertion of up to thirty pounds of force. Work at times requires pushing, pulling, lifting, and related as part of set up and take down  - as well as moving and transporting of presentation locations, materials, equipment, and related.
Valid driver’s license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance
Personal cell phone or telephone to be used for work purposes

Position details:
This is a remote/work-from-home position, candidates must live in Cook County to be able to be present at frequent community events and meetings. Must have a reliable internet connection at home.
The position would begin at 5-10 hours per week, with hopes to expand soon to potentially 20 hours/week pending approval of additional grant requests. Starting salary is $25/hour.
Scheduling of hours is flexible and may require some evening and weekend work for events
Future possibilities to potentially move to an in-person office if we are able to provide one

To apply:
Submit a resume and cover letter to nwfoodproject@gmail.com attention Hartley Newell-Acero.
Questions about the position can also be submitted to that email address.
Application review will begin on: July 15th