Program Manager, California Climate-Friendly School Food

Who We Are: Friends of the Earth is a national not for profit environmental organization driven by passion for a healthier and more just world. We push for the bold reforms that are needed. It’s an approach that has worked for five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We are part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.   

To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth’s Food and Agriculture program is working to rapidly transition our food system to one that is sustainable, healthy, and just. We achieve success through a systems-based approach that weaves together market change and policy advocacy supported by intersectional organizing, cutting-edge science, and strategic communications.   

Friends of the Earth’s Climate-Friendly School Food Program collaborates with more than 100 school districts across California and the U.S. to increase access to healthy, plant-based, and organic meals. We provide technical support, marketing materials, and community engagement strategies while connecting schools with resources for success. Our work also includes partnering with school districts and NGOs to advocate for federal and state policy changes. Please see our website for more information on Friends of the Earth’s Climate-Friendly School Food work.  

What We Look For: Are you passionate about expanding the availability and consumption of plant-based and organic meals in California schools? Are you willing to lead our new Farm to School Organic Cohort and Friends of the Earth’s Peer Learning Sessions with K-12 school nutrition service directors across California? Are you a leader that can foster a collaborative work environment while providing guidance and mentoring team members? Are you skilled at managing and overseeing the programs' budget? Do you have a knack for cultivating strong relationships with donors and foundations?

If so, this is the position for you. We want you to succeed and we pay a competitive wage that is in line with your experience. The salary range for this full-time remote (CA Preferred) role is $83,000-$87,500. Offers are determined based on the relevant skills and experience required for the position.

Who You Are:

Transformational and Authentic Leader: Oversee program management of educating schools and other stakeholders on the availability of plant-based and organic meals in CA schools. Manage the Program Associate and consultants to expand their reach and impact of the CA Climate-Friendly School Food program. Provide support for preliminary scoping and evaluation work for potential program expansion to other states beyond California. 

Relationship Builder: Identify and cultivate relationships with donors and foundations. Build community partnerships that will deepen the work in California and expand the reach and impact of the Climate-Friendly School Food Program in California and beyond.

Results Oriented: Manage and oversee the program's budget, including tracking expenditures and ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints. Maintain best practices for data management related to programs metrics, contact lists, project timelines, and funder reports. Oversee the allocation of tasks and responsibilities, ensuring the project timelines and deliverables are met. Collect and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data of K-12 school nutrition menu shifts to document impacts of the program and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. 

Collaborative Communicator: Collaborate with senior leadership to develop strategies for scaling and enhancing the program, leveraging team strengths and resources. Collaborate with program consultants, community partners, and school nutrition experts to advocate for policy change at the state and federal levels.  Lead Friends of the Earth’s Peer Learning Sessions by organizing and facilitating quarterly meetings and in-person gatherings with K-12 school nutrition service directors and stakeholders. Conduct research and disseminate information on climate-friendly food via conferences, panels, webinars, research reports, and blogs.

Required Qualifications:

• 5-7+ years of program management experience, with a strong understanding of school nutrition services and institutional food systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in public health, nutrition, environmental science, education, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Familiarity with school nutrition programs, including food procurement and distribution in large institutions.
• Proficiency in data management and project management tools (e.g., Excel, Asana, Microsoft Suite).
• Experience managing teams and providing mentorship.
• Strong budget management skills.
• Grant writing and reporting experience.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Understanding of sustainable agriculture, food justice, and the industrial agriculture system’s impacts.
• Cultural competency with experience engaging diverse communities.
• Willingness to travel for work-related conferences and events (3-5 times/year).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advocacy experience in environmental issues, public health, racial justice, or food systems.
• Experience with research and analysis.
• Familiarity with the school food advocacy community and federal school food policy.
• Experience developing RFPs and managing budgets and contractors.

Perks & Benefits:  

We are a generous employer with benefits that will take care of you. In addition to a competitive salary, we provide: 

• 37.5-hour work week
• 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents)
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account 
• 401(k) Retirement Program with a Company Match
• Generous Leave- twenty (20) vacation days to start, fifteen (15) paid holidays, twenty (20) sick days, parental leave, sabbatical and more
• Education Reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.