Wesleyan University

The Bailey College of the Environment is seeking a Food Justice Intern to serve in food justice organizations across the state. The Food Justice Intern is managed by their on-site supervisor, as well as a BCOE designated supervisor. The internship is part of a broader project building a network of food justice and environmental justice groups in CT and supporting student engagement. On Monday, they will engage in a food justice curriculum with the BCOE Project Coordinator (Malana Rogers-Bursen) and the Professor of the Practice (Christine Caruso). Interns will work the rest of their hours on-site. Schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the site.

FRESH New London (www.freshnewlondon.org) is a small food justice non-profit located in New London, CT. FRESH’s mission is to build momentum for food system change through local agriculture and youth empowerment. They use food to connect to the community, encourage leadership, inspire stewardship and incite change. FRESH is focused on urban farming, community gardening and youth, as a way to build resiliency in our city and to inspire more people to take part in the community food system.

FRESH Core Values

Environmental Stewardship

Health and Wellness

Racial and Social Justice

Our Community: Our Culture, Our People, Our Place, Our Power

Young People and the Future

Sense of Humor and Fun!

The Food Justice Intern is the supervisor of the FRESH Crew. The Intern is dedicated to development and implementation of experiential education that engages youth in the “how and why” of FRESH New London’s mission. In the Spring and Summer, the youth program is agriculturally based but we blend in workshops that help with the understanding of our community work.

The Intern requires a high degree of organization, innovation, and flexibility, as short and long-term planning often occur concurrent with program delivery. Programming will be focused at our office, the FRESH Farm, and at community locations where we engage the community in our work.

Responsibilities include:

• Be peer leader for crew members in all FRESH Crew program activities.
• Assist in planning activities and projects for FRESH Crew.
• Listen to youth about their interest and understanding of our food system work and using this as the spring board.
• Provide feedback about program.
• Assist Crew Members to track hours and provide reminders about completing timecards.
• Evaluate and guide participants towards resources and actions which further progress towards group goals.
• Continual collaborative work evaluating and communicating progress and challenges.
• Outcome tracking and tracking other program details.
• Development of a safe FRESH crew environment that parallels what we would like to see in the larger community. This means working out conflict, self, peer and greater community reflections and participatory development of programming.
• Continual self-learning in order to best facilitate content.
• Other duties as assigned.

This is an on-site position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Former Jr Staff at FRESH;
• Demonstrated interest in engaging the broader community in social change;
• Demonstrated commitment to working with individuals in a respectful and empowering manner;
• A demonstrated interest in or a willingness to learn about community food security, community-based just food systems, empowerment around issues of local food system and/or sustainable agriculture;
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals in the community.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible, dedicated, self-motivated, and organized.
• Ability to work in a collaborative work environment;
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn about the city and county of New London;
• Ability to keep the mission of the organization as a target which we are working towards;
• Willingness to work in both office and outdoor/ agricultural settings, including some physical agricultural work.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with fresh, whole foods cooking and nutrition;
• Ability to speak a second language.

Additional Applicant Instructions:

Position is open until filled. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume.

Pay Rate: $17.50/hr.

Work Location: On Campus

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.

Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html.

Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html

Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html.