Food Sovereignty Coordinator

Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness (WPHW) is growing, and we are excited to be adding new people to our team!  If you value inclusivity, balance, and cultural centeredness and have a true passion for serving others, you may be a great fit for our team!  WPHW is a non-profit organization that serves four federally recognized tribes located in five communities:  the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Aroostook Band of Mi'kmaq, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point, and the Penobscot Nation.  Wabanaki traditions, language, and culture guide our approach and describe the ways we live in harmony with each other and the land we collectively share.  Services are available to community members living on and off-reservation across the State of Maine.

Position Summary:

Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness (WPHW) is seeking an energetic and passionate Food Sovereignty Coordinator to help support Our Sacred Relations Division. This position will focus on procuring traditional foods, tending to growing spaces in community and on WPHW properties. This position may also require the coordinator to support in transporting and distributing food as needed. This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week and reports to the Food Systems Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for securing healthy, nutritious, traditional foods from current partner organizations, such as Good Shepherd Food Bank, Growing to Give, Micmac Farms.
  


• Responsible for coordinating and scheduling efforts to secure healthy nutritious foods from new organizations we have not partnered with yet. 


• Coordinate and schedule efforts to procure traditional foods (fiddleheads, fish, seafood) from local tribal harvesters according to food safe and legal permitting requirements.


• Coordinating with tribal leadership, tribal food pantries, and community partners to help establish food procurement policies and procedures.
  


• Outreach to each tribal food pantry to coordinate schedules for delivery of foods.


• Driving the Wabanaki Traditional Foods Mobile Pantry truck and other company vehicles.


• Responsible for coordinating a schedule with Food Sovereignty Educator for food procurement, distribution and educational workshops.


• Ability to follow and uphold food safety standards.


• Responsible for helping to maintain traditional food growing spaces.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in related field and/or HS diploma with comparable work experience.


• Experience working with tribal communities.


• Experience using Microsoft Office products including Word and Excel

Skills and Qualifications Required:

• Must have experience and knowledge of traditional Wabanaki foods.


• Exceptional written, verbal and public speaking communication skills. As well as active listening skills.


• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team when required.
  


• A valid Maine driver’s license, clean driving record and access to reliable transportation required.


• Ability to lift and carry fifty (50) pounds; able to bend, reach, push, pull, load, unload, climb, etc.
  


• Must pass criminal background check.

Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.