Food Safety Manager - Community Alliance with Family Farmers (California)

Community Alliance with Family Farmers 

Job Description 


Title: Food Safety Manager

Location: Watsonville, Davis, Sebastopol, or Oakland

Hours: 1.0 FTE Exempt Position

Start Date: May 1, 2014


The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is a non-profit organization whose

mission is to advocate for California family farms and sustainable agriculture. CAFF is a

membership organization guided by a board of directors that includes a majority of family

farmers as well as others who are passionate about food, farming and the environment. CAFF

advocates for family farms in Sacramento and DC, facilitates statewide networks, and runs

Regional Food Systems projects such as Farm to School projects, Buy Fresh Buy Local

campaigns, and Farm to Market around the state. Our main goals are to increase the economic

viability of California family farmers and to connect communities with their local producers. See

http://www.caff.org for more information.


The Manager of the Food Safety Program will continue to develop a food safety program at

CAFF that is focused on advising California specialty crop farmers on developing farm-level

food safety plans, particularly small- and medium-scale family farmers engaged in direct

marketing. Many such farmers have no experience with food safety issues. The position is not

simply a food safety auditor but is instead an advocate and advisor for California family farmers.

The Manager will become familiar with all relevant food safety GAPs and outreach programs,

including USDA and state programs, specialty crop-specific programs, private auditing firms’

programs, UC recommendations, as well as programs developed by the Produce Safety Alliance

at Cornell. In collaboration with project partners from the University of California and other

organizations, the Manager will conduct workshops for farmers throughout the state, conduct

personal one-on-one consultations and farm visits with the target specialty crop farmers, and

assist them with developing their own farm food safety plans. This position reports to the

Statewide Food Systems Director and collaborates closely with the Policy Director.


Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:


Program Management (75%): 

• Coordinate workshops on food safety for growers

• Collaborate with partners to deliver workshops on food safety

• Coordinate with regional staff statewide to provide food safety support in their regions

• Help growers develop on-farm food safety plans around the state

• Work closely with the Policy Director to stay informed of and provide input into food

safety policy advocacy efforts

• Collaborate with the Policy Director on delivering workshops on food safety policy

• Maintain meticulous records and manage program tracking; collect & document data for

program and funder reports.

• Manage relationships with partners

• Build and maintain relationships with farmers and buyers to keep up to date with their needs.


Program Development (10%): 

• Build CAFF’s grower membership; input contacts in Salesforce.

• Conduct outreach to potential partners/customers

• Participate in local collaborative efforts and develop relationships with potential partners

• Coordinate with management to strategize and promote CAFF fee-for-service offerings

as they are developed


Organizational and Administrative Responsibilities (15%): 

• Monitor program budget

• Write reports for funders as needed

• Coordinate invoices with vendors as necessary

• Participate in program and strategic planning as needed

• Conduct bi-weekly check in calls with Director

• Participate in quarterly managers’ and monthly RFS meetings

• Submit administrative and financial paperwork on time

• Handle administrative duties in the regional office with regional team as needed


Qualifications:

• Farming experience essential, specialty crop experience desirable

• On farm food safety program implementation in one or more specialty crops and/or

auditing experience, preferably both

• Interest in and familiarity with organic, biodynamic and sustainable agriculture

• Strong writing and verbal communications skills

• Willingness to travel often in state as needed

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline

• A strong desire to defend the interests of family farmers

• Experience in Microsoft Office

• Confidence in public speaking

• Skillful in establishing and maintaining professional relationship and networks

• Ability to organize work, track progress, and maintain productivity independently

• Ability to collaborate and coordinate with other staff and partners throughout the state


CAFF’s policy is that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity regardless of

race, color, religion, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation.


To Apply:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact

information of three references to foodsafety@caff.org. The position will close April 25, 2014.