Food Services Coordinator

Effective Immediately

School District 71 (Comox Valley) is a progressive school district whose mission is to inspire engaged, compassionate, resilient lifelong learners and cultivate a collaborative community together. As an inclusive learning community, we embrace diversity, foster relationships, and empower all learners to have a positive impact on the world. We are the largest employer in the Comox Valley with over 1800 employees providing a comprehensive educational program to approximately 10,500 students from Strong Start to Grade 12 in 14 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 K-9 school, 3 secondary schools, 2 alternate schools, and a provincial on-line learning school. Our annual operating budget is roughly $119 million.

Reporting to the Secretary-Treasurer, the Food Services Coordinator oversees the logistics of food deliveries to schools and ensures a coordinated approach to improving food services and obtains information on schools food programs and their effectiveness. With a goal of feeding 20% of our district families with food insecurities, this position will provide a single point of contact for food service staff, administrators, and partners through which to coordinate any food related initiatives. Responsibilities

Assess the current assets and operations of school food programs across the District, including but not limited to existing programs, staffing, infrastructure and equipment

Identify opportunities and conditions required to maintain and expand existing programs, or develop new school food programs, and work to create or enhance these conditions

Bring a district-wide, collaborative approach to the planning and delivery of school meal and food programs

Build and maintain community partnerships with food producers, local farmers, community schools, PACs, non-profits, local businesses, Indigenous nations and communities, and others who can support the aggregation, processing and distribution of local food and healthy meals to students and families

Build capacity within school communities to deliver food programs, including providing resources and knowledge-building opportunities and supporting local leadership, e.g. training part-time school food program leads at each school or cluster of schools to deliver programs in partnership with community partners

Support new and existing school food programs to incorporate principles of inclusion, equity and diversity into their design and implementation to ensure that programs are universally accessible

Support new and existing school food programs to incorporate principles of health promotion, community connectedness, sustainability and Indigenous reconciliation

Support the connection and collaboration of food programs with school gardens and other food literacy programming

Research models of promising or best practices for school food programs

Connect and liaise with public health dietitians, healthy school coordinators, and relevant regional and/or provincial networks (e.g. Farm to School BC, Coalition for Healthy School Food), to support professional development and stay up to date on school food

Oversee food safety training and practices

Coordinating and overseeing an annual audit on the districts goals

Shall consult with the Advisory Committee to present an integrated food procurement strategy with an emphasis on healthy, and where possible, local food

Skills, Attributes, and Competencies Required

A degree in program administration and management, population health nutrition, sustainable food systems, food policy, school service, or asset-based community development, and/or related field or equivalent training and experience

Ability to visit schools, community partners and food preparation sites across the District

Strong verbal and written communications skills

Proven track record of innovative program implementation

Highly resourceful, creative and self-directed

High level of personal and professional integrity

A clean criminal record check for working with vulnerable populations (children/youth)

Class 5 drivers license and have a reliable vehicle.The ideal candidate will have:

Familiarity with existing school food networks, food procurement and other relevant policies, and school food programming within the District, the schools and the surrounding community

Experience advancing sustainable regional food systems, e.g. healthy local food procurement, local food policy, preparation and delivery of food services

Experience and/or be familiar with the BC education sector, including K-12 schools, BC curriculum, and education stakeholders, e.g. administrators, school district trustees, union members, educators, parents/guardians, students

Applied understanding of healthy school food environments, food literacy, and food systems education

Excellent networking, engagement, facilitation, and negotiation skills

Experience in project management/coordination that required systems-thinking

Skills in asset mapping/needs assessment, operational planning, as well as budgeting, managing, and evaluating programming of similar nature and scope

Demonstrated understanding of cultural context and perspectives and/or have completed cultural competency training that centers equity, diversity and inclusion perspectives

If you are an approachable, detailed-oriented, and team-oriented leader who embodies the core values of integrity, respect and diversity, and employ best practice in financial management, we would like to hear from you! To Apply: School District 71 (Comox Valley) is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island on the unceded traditional territory of the K'moks First Nation. Located within the Comox Valley is the City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox and the Village of Cumberland; each providing their own unique services and community cultures. The Comox Valley is a desirable place to live with great ocean beaches, golf, skiing, hiking, swimming and boating. In addition, the community has strong and vibrant arts and cultural programs. To join our dynamic leadership team in the beautiful Comox Valley, qualified individuals are invited to apply in confidence by submitting a cover letter outlining how they meet the hiring criteria, a chronological resume, and the name and contact information of at least three professional references through www.makeafuture.ca/comox-valley under section management/professionals. The competition will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. The annual salary range for this position is $69,276 to $86,596.

Applications received prior to 1:00 pm (Pacific Time) on Friday February 16th will be assured careful consideration.

We welcome diverse candidates and encourage applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity. As an inclusive learning community, we are committed to actively creating and fostering a culture of inclusivity where voices are heard, people are seen, and values are respected. We care about the uniqueness of our applicants, employees, students and community, and we do so in a safe space fueled by curiosity and acceptance. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process may contact: hr@sd71.bc.ca and we will work with you to meet your needs.

We sincerely thank all applicants for considering us an employer of choice. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The successful applicant will be subject to the terms of the Criminal Review Act.

Thank you for your interest in School District 71 (Comox Valley)

An Equal Opportunity Employer