School Food Coordinator, Philadelphia Department of Public Health

This is a full-time position analyzing, developing, and implementing school food reforms to increases access to healthy foods to children and adolescents before, during and after the school day. This position is part of Get Healthy Philly, an initiative that aims to reduce the prevalence of obesity in Philadelphia by increasing access to healthy and affordable food, decreasing access to unhealthy food, and increasing opportunities for physical activity.  The School Food Coordinator will help develop, manage and implement school food reforms in Philadelphia public and/or charter schools and after school programs, including but not limited to: student engagement and feedback on new menu offerings and school food reforms; support with staff training for implementation of school food reforms; management of a food waste evaluation; identify and assist in scaling up innovative school food practices and partnerships.  This position will liaise with partners including but not limited to: the School District of Philadelphia; Philadelphia Parks & Recreation; and Out of School Time (OST) programs.  This position reports to the Food Policy Coordinator at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES:

The School Food Coordinator will accomplish the following:

• Assist the Food Services Division of the School District of Philadelphia with the implementation of priority recommendations including: increased fruit and vegetable offerings, more varied cycle menus, soliciting student feedback on menu choices and quality, and assessing food waste.
• Coordinate with the department’s youth wellness coordinator to assist in the design and implementation of youth advocacy efforts that support the initiative.
• Envision and help implement innovative school food solutions at select schools.
• Manage evaluation partners related to a food waste assessment or other initiatives as required.
• Coordinate citywide efforts to improve access to and quality of foods served before, during and after school in public, private, and/or charter schools.
• Establish and build working relationships with academic institutions, public and private partners; help raise funds for pilot projects.
• Liaise between the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and public and private partners involved in school food wellness initiatives.
• Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters in Public Health, or other related masters or doctoral degree in public health, public policy, political science.
• Minimum two years working on school-based wellness activities.
• Prior experience with school food policy or advocacy preferred.
• Background or experience with research and evaluation preferred.
  - OR -
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Department of Public Health.

SALARY
Salary range is 55,000 – 62,000 and is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS: If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact Amanda Wagner, Food Policy Coordinator, at amanda.wagner@phila.gov.  The position will start approximately October 1, 2012 and is a ten month position ending June 30, 2013 contingent on the availability of continued funding.