Vancouver Island BC 

The Public Health Association of BC is Now Hiring!

Position: F2SBC Island Hub – Regional Coordinator
Program: Farm to School BC
Organization: Public Health Association of BC
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.

0.5 FTE - Maternity Leave (1 year) *With possibility of extension

Overview

The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) is seeking a dynamic, creative, and inspiring individual to coordinate, strengthen and expand the Farm to School BC (F2SBC) Island Regional Hub. Reporting to the Provincial Manager of F2SBC, the Regional Coordinator provides supports for teachers and students with access to healthy, local food and hands-on learning opportunities that foster food literacy while strengthening the local food system using a comprehensive and collective impact framework.

Working alongside teachers, school administrators, students, local organizations, public health dietitians, farmers, and additional stakeholders engaged with nutrition, agriculture, health and education sectors; the Regional Coordinator will place local people at the center of all they do. The Community Animator believes that sustainable solutions are only ever developed when the support of a local community is strongly evident. Furthermore, as a change agent in the community, the Regional Coordinator builds bridges and strengthens connections within the school community, and among various stakeholders that influence the environment. The Regional Coordinator will invest in relationships that will form the solid foundation for swift and effective future partnership development.

The ideal candidate will be confident in a dynamic environment, be a professional communicator, detail oriented, flexible, solutions-focused, and able to work independently. This is a work from home position but requires the candidate to live in the Island Health Region. A valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle is mandatory, as local travel to communities in the region is expected, with mileage being compensated per government rates. A small number of overnight  trips maybe be expected including attending team meetings, visiting funded schools, and professional development opportunities.

Background

PHABC is a registered charity organization (est. 1953) that promotes and protects public health by actively working to advance the development and implementation of healthy public policy, by encouraging and facilitating research that supports public health, and by cooperating regionally, nationally, and internationally with partner organizations. Its national linkages’ enable the PHABC to participate in dialogue and action on matters of interest across Canada.

Farm to School BC is one of PHABC’s largest provincial programs, bringing healthy, local and sustainable food into schools and providing students with hands-on learning opportunities that develop food literacy, all while strengthening the local food system and enhancing school and community connectedness.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Support F2SBC programs in the Island Region to achieve the following three core elements of the program:
  • Promote healthy, local food in schools and enhance student food literacy,
  • Foster hands-on learning opportunities by linking F2SBC activities to the curriculum,
  • Support the schools and broader community connectedness;
• Promote F2SBC activities on social media;
• Establish and strengthen relationships with F2SBC funded schools and provide ongoing support to ensure that teachers, stakeholders and partners are successfully implementing their program;
• Inspire new F2SBC programs in the region;
• Build and strengthen school-community capacity by facilitating and hosting regular networking and development opportunities (e.g., committee meetings, networking events, learning circles, professional development, webinars, and celebration events);
• Identify and secure additional funding opportunities to strengthen and support F2SBC activities in the Island Regional Hub.
• Work alongside other F2SBC staff to support the development of program level goals.

Qualifications & Required Skills

• Background in Health Science, Education, Community Development, Nutrition, Agriculture, Public Health or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Preferred minimum of 2 years of experience utilizing setting-based approaches to health promotion, working with people and communities to integrate a holistic and multi-disciplinary method to build capacity in various settings;
• Understanding of local and sustainable food systems, child and youth health, health promotion, child-centered approach to health literacy, agriculture and/or combination of relevant or related disciplines;
• Comfortable with the following software/social media platforms: MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, etc.), Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, and social media platforms;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team player;
• Leadership style and work ethic that promotes collaboration, inclusivity, creativity, open communication as well as independent decision-making;
• Understanding of regional food systems and school-food service systems including the network of individuals therein (e.g., principals, teachers, parents, school meal coordinators staff, and students);
• Ability to network with key stakeholders within the regional food system (farmers, gardeners, food producer groups, food processors, and food distributors; including those associated with existing F2SBC programs and those keen to be supplying such programs);
• In-depth knowledge of sustainable food systems, school food and/or public health.

This is a 0.5 FTE position fixed year maternity leave position, valued at 20 hours per week beginning mid January, 2025 at a starting rate of $28.61, with 6% vacation pay. Possibility of an extension may be possible. The selected candidate will be offered permanent employment including 4% in lieu of benefits, following a successful probationary period of ninety (90) days. The ideal candidate must reside in the  Island Health Region.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter detailing why you would be the ideal candidate for the position and listing any relevant work experience to Marcus Lobb, Provincial Manager Farm to School BC, at marcus.lobb@farmtoschoolbc.ca with the email subject line titled ‘F2SBC Island Regional Animator 2025.

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

Application Deadline: December 11th, 2024 @ midnight

Important Dates:

• Notice of Interview: Week of December 9th - 13th, 2024
• Anticipated Interview Dates: December 16th – 20th, 2024
• Anticipated Start Date: Week of January 6th, 2025

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

PHABC is an equal opportunity organization and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this position without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.