Join one of the most effective community-based environmental groups in the country.

Title: Buy Fresh Buy Local Assistant
Office Location: Hybrid/ Warrenton Office or Charlottesville Office
Supervisor: Co-Director of Outreach and Communications
Job Classification: Part Time / Temporary

About PEC

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) conserves and restores the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.

Your Role

The Buy Fresh Buy Local Assistant works to support local farms and a strong rural economy in the Virginia Piedmont. This position is part time and temporary, tasked with successfully updating and producing The Piedmont Environmental Council’s three Buy Fresh Buy Local publications, which help connect residents to local food throughout our region and provide local producers a venue for promoting their products. This role includes project management, sponsor outreach, marketing and communications, writing and editing. The Assistant will work approximately 20-25 hours per week over the course of a nine-month period, likely from October 2024 through June 2025.

Areas of Responsibility

Under direction of the Co-Director of Outreach and Communication, The Buy Fresh Buy Local Assistant will be responsible for the functions outlined below:

• Coordinate and manage production of the 2025/2026 Buy Fresh Buy Local guides. 
• Assist area producers with the Buy Fresh Buy Local online sign-up process through Virginia MarketMaker. Review business profiles for accuracy and completion.
• Edit producer-submitted content for style consistency, listing consistency and grammar. 
• Secure funding support for each guide. Update PEC’s existing sponsor packet, reach out to past sponsors, and work with PEC’s advancement team to identify and contact new sponsors.
• Create marketing copy, including farm profiles and PEC-focused articles and information, for inclusion in each guide.
• Supervise volunteers and/or interns as needed. 
• Work with PEC’s communications team to promote the Buy Fresh Buy Local program through external communications such as social media, email alerts, and press releases.
• Connect with the Pasa Sustainable Agriculture and work with FoodMarketMaker to update website content on buylocalpiedmont.org.
• Support PEC’s communications and outreach work around local food systems, in coordination with PEC’s Community Farm staff.

This hybrid position is based out of PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton or Charlottesville, VA, with occasional travel to locations within PEC’s nine-county service area.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
• Project management, organizational and prioritization skills; problem-solving and organizational skills; very strong attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to engage with community members by phone as well as through online communications.
• Experience with marketing, communications and/or fundraising.
• The ability to work independently.
• Strong initiative and customer service orientation.
• Working knowledge of Google Suite, Microsoft Office software products.
• Reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Passion for sustainable/local food systems and working agricultural economy.
• Knowledge and experience in database programs e.g. Salesforce
• Experience with website content management systems e.g. WordPress

Compensation

The salary is $25 per hour.

Benefits

Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedule. As a temporary position, there is no eligibility for fringe benefits.

Application Process

Interested applicants should fill out our job application form. Candidates must submit a cover letter and resumé. The initial deadline for receipt of applications is August 30, 2024. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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The Piedmont Environmental Council strives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of achieving our mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Read more about our Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) commitments.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.