The Department

The Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) develops and implements citywide environmental policies and programs that propel our city toward a sustainable, equitable, and carbon neutral future.

Within OSE, the Food Policy & Programs team works with community and institutional partners to develop equitable solutions to increase access to culturally relevant and nutritious food, sustainably reduce climate pollution in the food system, advance racial equity, and invest in communities disproportionately impacted by racial, economic health, and environmental inequities.  

We are recruiting for a temporary Food Systems Design Fellow to join our team and work on efforts to enhance school meal programs and food and nutrition education for youth.   

The Job

The pandemic has spotlighted the deep inequities and vulnerabilities of our food system. This heightened awareness and urgency to change how food gets to people in need is challenging cities to continue innovating and working with communities to think differently about food access. No Kid Hungry is supporting this rethinking by funding a Food Systems Design Fellow to join/add capacity to the City food program team in Seattle, along with two other cities. 

Using the principles of person-centered design, the Seattle Fellow will collaborate with a range of public and non-profit stakeholders in the school community to create strategies, programs, or improvements that are responsive to the needs and priorities of Seattle Public Schools culinary staff, students, and the broader school community, especially those most impacted by food insecurity. Throughout the Fellowship, you will collaborate with communities, city agencies, and nonprofits in evaluating, designing, and testing innovations within a school-based fresh produce snack program. You will also support community engagement, organizing and planning to improve the quality, freshness, sustainability, and cultural relevance of school lunches; increase local food purchasing while centering equity; enhance promotion and marketing of school food; and support efforts to expand nutrition education, and school garden connections.

This is a 12-18 month long temporary benefited assignment which offers the opportunity to:

• Improve equitable food access for students
• Work on systemic change within the school food system 
• Collaborate with community members to find human-centered design solutions
• Build skills and receive mentorship and support specific to your future career goals and issue areas
• Benefit from peer-to-peer learning and exchange with other fellows and their city partners
• Take advantage of other No Kid Hungry network speakers, ideas, and participants

To be successful in this assignment, you are committed to:

• Creating more equitable, inclusive, and healthier food systems
• Partnering with community members, Seattle Public Schools, city staff, and other organizations working to end food insecurity
• Centering equity in research, program design, and/or organizing 
• Community outreach and engagement with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities

To be effective in this assignment, you have:

• Designed and facilitated meetings with stakeholders representing a range of perspectives and agendas with a focus on goal alignment
• Listened first, then communicated clearly and respectfully with internal and external partners
• Built coalitions to identify and pursue common values, goals, needs and solutions
• Knowledge of food system issues and/or school food
• Work or lived experience in families or communities experiencing economic insecurity
• Researched new approaches, ideas, and innovations
• Defined problems and found human-centered solutions
• Collaboratively created a plan

In addition to the skills and experience listed above, you are also required to have:

Experience: Four years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work related to City planning and development work.

Or

Experience: Three years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work related to City planning and development work.

And

Education: An Associate’s degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or a related field.

Or

Experience:  Two years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work related to City planning and development work.

And

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or a related field

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services. 

In addition, to completing the application at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle fully, please attach:

• A cover letter explaining your interest in this job, the kinds of projects you have worked on and the skills and experience you would bring to it. Please include the impact you have had on improving racial equity.
 • A PDF of your current resume
 
 Questions? Please contact Kate Moore at kate.moore@seattle.gov
 
This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
 
Who may apply: This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.