ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Urban & Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI) is a community oriented research and advocacy organization based at Occidental College in Los Angeles,CA. UEPI serves as the umbrella for a variety of affiliated programs addressing work and industry, food and nutrition, housing, transportation, regional and community development, land use, and urban environmental issues. UEPI functions both as an academic center with strong community ties and acommunity-based organization with a strong research and policy development capacity.

UEPI includes a number of innovative projects including the Healthy School Food Coalition (HSFC), established in 2001 as a group of committed parents, students and teachers seeking to develop nutrition policies and mobilize the school community to improve access to healthy foods through the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs in cafeterias throughout LAUSD school campuses. Since its inception the Healthy School Food Coalition has been played a critical leadership role in advocating for policy adoption and full implementation of the Healthy Beverage Resolution (2002), Obesity Prevention Motion (2003) and the Cafeteria Improvement Motion (2005).

POSITION DESCRIPTION

UEPI is seeking a candidate for the position of HSFC School Food Youth Organizer to help implement the activities as outlined by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s (LACDPH) Project RENEW (Renewing Environments for Nutrition, Exercise and Wellness) Community Action Plan. Project RENEW is made possible by funding from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative, and includes a mix of policy change and innovative programming strategies aimed at reducing childhood obesity.

The individual will work with the RENEW Project Coordinator and the Lead Organizerfor the Healthy School Food Coalition as well as our collaborators at the California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA) and LACDPH staff to promote the implementation of the Institute of Medicine’s nutrition recommendations for school meals within LAUSD, Long Beach, ABC, and El Monte school districts. This position will continue activities begun in the fall of 2010. The position, based on existing funding, willc ontinue through March of 2012.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Represent UEPI & HSFC, and work closely with ourproject partners at CFPA, LACDPH, and school districts to:

• Assist school districts with meal program changes consistent with IOM recommendations, as outlined in the RENEW workplan.
• Conduct trainings and meetings with youth and youth organizations in the four partner districts to gain student feedback on meal programs and monitor progress in food service changes.
• Organize and coordinate a wellness education program for the 2011-2012 school year for LAUSD cafeteria staff
• Develop and evaluate nutrition education campaigns in LAUSD among students
• Promote the new school menu in LAUSD and track student response to changes among HSFC student membership and partner agencies’ youth membership
• Develop a communications strategy in Long Beach USD to facilitate parent understanding and knowledge of nutrition and school food issues
• Conduct focus groups and trainings with students and partner agencies in Long Beach and El Monteon school food and wellness issues.
• Contribute to overall UEPI mission and activities and work in conjunction with other UEPI projects and staff

QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding and experience in the areas of public health, nutrition, and food access.
• Experience conducting meetings, presentations, and/or trainings to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with youth.
• Experience in health education or social marketing.
• Must have own transportation, be willing /able to work some evenings and weekends, and travel to conferences as needed.
• Must be able to work independently and as a part of a team collaboratively with UEPI and CFPA RENEW staff
• Strong writing skills and computer competencies including Microsoft Office as well as web-based platforms such as Wordpress and E-Marketing services.
• Self motivated, hard working, reliable and punctual.
• Spanish language skills preferred but not mandatory

This is a 100% FTE position. This is a temporary position with salary commensurate with experience.