The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council (PFPC)’s mission is to build a food system that benefits our communities, economy, and environment in ways that are just, equitable, and sustainable. Driven by community-led solutions, we re-imagine our region’s food system and advocate for policies that promote local food growing, sustainable agriculture, equitable development, and access to healthy food, particularly in low-income communities.

With a recently formed Board of Directors and new Executive Director, the PFPC is in an exciting period of transition and growth. We are in the middle of a strategic planning process, through which we will engage our members to identify strategic priorities for the organization. We are also working on finalizing and advancing a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion plan.

We actively seek participation from those who are most impacted by the lack of access, justice, and sovereignty in the local food system. We are working to build a space where those who have been historically under-resourced and under-represented are centered in these efforts, particularly our Black/Brown, Indigenous, Immigrant, People of Color, and LGBTQ neighbors. Learn more about PFPC at www.pittsburghfoodpolicy.org.

Position Description:

Title: Coalition Organizer

Reports to: Executive Director

Job Description: A Coalition Organizer is responsible for leading and coordinating locally focused working groups and committees at the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, primarily focused on urban agriculture / farming, reduced fares for SNAP users, and the Food Justice Fund.

The Coalition Organizer is responsible for working closely with the Executive Director, co-workers, and coalition partners to develop, implement and win strategic issue campaigns. This will include listening to partners, convening partners, engaging partners in developing effective policy and/or campaign goals, educating community members about the campaign, and planning and implementing effective actions. 

The Coalition Organizer is responsible for recruiting and organizing new and existing campaign partners to achieve the working groups and committee’s goals. Additionally, this person will spearhead planning of several urban farm tours with key partners and support the development of an Annual Food Summit.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Coalition Organizing and Management
• Recruit new partners to join working groups and committees–particularly orgs led by historically marginalized groups
• Build and maintain effective relationships with and between table partners, allies, community members, elected officials, stakeholders, and leaders of the local food system
• Staff the following working groups and committees:
• Food Justice Fund 
• Fair Fares Campaign 
• Land Access Sub-Committee
• Urban Agriculture Working Group
• Compost Sub-Committee
• Farm Tour & Urban Ag Week Tour
• Urban Growers Scholarships
• Facilitate regular check ins and group meetings with Co-chairs, Chairs, working group and committee participants
• Attend PFPC Member events and volunteer at urban farms and table at other Member events
• Campaign Planning and Execution
• Lead the development of strategic campaigns, identified through working groups, committees, and planning teams
• Create processes that allow partners to effectively participate in campaign planning and implementation
• Plan and execute meetings, events, actions, or other strategic activities that further the goals of the working group and committee’s campaigns
• Monitor and/or participate in governmental and public meetings and processes related to local campaigns, including educating public officials and testifying on behalf of the campaign
• Communications and Data
• Lead the development of a constituent management system to track engagement 
• Work with the communications consultants, co-workers, and partners to promote events, resources, actions, etc. 
• Actively provide content for campaign marketing to communications consultant
• Identify Member work to be amplified
• Fundraising
• Provide relevant information for grant proposals and reports

Qualifications and Skills:

• Interpersonal, oral, and written skills (required)
• Experience with and within diverse populations and communities of color (required)
• Demonstrates commitment to understanding of race, class, gender, and other equity issues as part of your work as well as the impact these structural issues have on our shared work environment (required)
• Demonstrated experience with coalition organizing, successful campaign planning, advocacy and/or public policy (preferred)
• Experience implementing a successful campaign plan (preferred)
• Experience leading a team in project work (preferred)

Salary & Benefits: $50,000-$54,000, plus health care premium reimbursement, 401K Match, Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance. 

Location: Hybrid. Must live in Allegheny County. There is no physical office right now; this could change in the future. The position is a work from home position. However, employees are expected to host and attend in-person and hybrid meetings at community-based sites.

Schedule: The work schedule is 37.5 hours per week (30 min break/day). The work schedule can at times be greater than that depending on what is happening that week (e.g. helping to host our Annual Food Summit) and includes evening and weekend meetings and events, as necessary. Comp time is also provided to offset these hours. Travel is occasionally required (e.g. conferences, rallies, events).

Paid Time Off: 

• 6 paid sick days (@7.5 hours per day) per year
• 10 Vacation days 

How to apply? Send your cover letter and resume to info@pittsburghfoodpolicy.org by Monday October 16th, 2023.

Pittsburgh Food Policy Council is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. PFPC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age or national origin.