Farm to School Project Manager (Grant-Funded)

Williamsburg-James City County Schools; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Williamsburg-James City County Schools’ CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES is seeking a Farm to School Project Manager to lead the KelRae Farm Training & Processing Hub operations, ensure USDA compliance, and coordinate training, reporting, and partnerships for 16 school cafeterias.

The role includes logistics, workforce development, and education coordination, with emphasis on data tracking and stakeholder collaboration in a grant-funded Farm to School program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.
• Experience in foodservice, agriculture, culinary management, or school nutrition.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work at farm and school sites.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate processing hub operations and ensure food safety compliance.
• Coordinate workforce training and certifications (ServSafe).
• Maintain processing and distribution records and waste-reduction metrics.
• Coordinate menu planning and farm-to-school education with CNS and SHIP.
• Serve as liaison among CNS, KelRae Farm, SHIP, and Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Food safety knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Farm to School Project Manager (Grant-Funded)

Williamsburg James City School District CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES - Williamsburg, Virginia Open in Google Maps

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

The Project Manager will coordinate daily operations of the KelRae Farm Training & Processing Hub, ensuring efficient processing, packaging, and distribution of locally grown produce for all 16 WJCC school cafeterias. The position supports logistics, workforce training, safety compliance, data tracking, and partner coordination. The Project Manager is essential to successful implementation of the USDA Farm to School project.

Key Responsibilities

• Processing Hub Operations: Coordinate produce intake, washing, cutting, roasting, packaging, and delivery. Maintain food safety and USDA Child Nutrition compliance. Monitor freezer inventory at the WJCC Operations Center. Communicate with KelRae Farm regarding harvest schedules and product availability.
• Workforce Training Coordination: Coordinate and oversee Community Food Training Program (CFTP) for CNS staff, Foodbank trainees, and KelRae staff. Coordinate culinary instructors and on-site training logistics. Track trainee progress and certification (e.g., ServSafe).
• Program Administration & Reporting: Maintain accurate processing and distribution records. Track use of “seconds” produce for waste-reduction metrics. Assist with USDA-required quarterly reports, year-end summaries, and audit documentation.
• School Nutrition & Education Coordination: Communicate with CNS staff on menu planning and recipe integration. Coordinate with SHIP to align processed produce with farm-to-school lessons and cafeteria events. Coordinate cafeteria tastings and educational events.
• Partnership Coordination: Serve as liaison among CNS, KelRae Farm, SHIP, and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. Schedule partner meetings and maintain shared workplans.

Required Qualifications: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, agriculture, culinary arts, public health, education, or related field; or equivalent experience. Experience in foodservice, agriculture, culinary management, or school nutrition. Knowledge of food safety practices (ServSafe preferred or required upon hire). Strong organizational and communication skills. Ability to work at farm and school sites.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with USDA Child Nutrition Programs or institutional foodservice, farm-to-school, local food systems, or community food education. Experience in training or workforce development.

Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods.

Purpose of the Position: This position is essential for coordinating logistics, training, processing operations, and USDA reporting. Without a dedicated Project Manager, WJCC would not have the operational capacity to implement or sustain the KelRae Farm Training & Processing Hub or meet the project’s farm-to-school objectives.

Job Details

Job ID: 5988014

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Yesterday

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

The Project Manager will coordinate daily operations of the KelRae Farm Training & Processing Hub, ensuring efficient processing, packaging, and distribution of locally grown produce for all 16 WJCC school cafeterias. The position supports logistics, workforce training, safety compliance, data tracking, and partner coordination. The Project Manager is essential to successful implementation of the USDA Farm to School project.

Key Responsibilities

• Processing Hub Operations: Coordinate produce intake, washing, cutting, roasting, packaging, and delivery. Maintain food safety and USDA Child Nutrition compliance. Monitor freezer inventory at the WJCC Operations Center. Communicate with KelRae Farm regarding harvest schedules and product availability.
• Workforce Training Coordination: Coordinate and oversee Community Food Training Program (CFTP) for CNS staff, Foodbank trainees, and KelRae staff. Coordinate culinary instructors and on-site training logistics. Track trainee progress and certification (e.g., ServSafe).
• Program Administration & Reporting: Maintain accurate processing and distribution records. Track use of “seconds” produce for waste-reduction metrics. Assist with USDA-required quarterly reports, year-end summaries, and audit documentation.
• School Nutrition & Education Coordination: Communicate with CNS staff on menu planning and recipe integration. Coordinate with SHIP to align processed produce with farm-to-school lessons and cafeteria events. Coordinate cafeteria tastings and educational events.
• Partnership Coordination: Serve as liaison among CNS, KelRae Farm, SHIP, and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. Schedule partner meetings and maintain shared workplans.

Required Qualifications: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, agriculture, culinary arts, public health, education, or related field; or equivalent experience. Experience in foodservice, agriculture, culinary management, or school nutrition. Knowledge of food safety practices (ServSafe preferred or required upon hire). Strong organizational and communication skills. Ability to work at farm and school sites.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with USDA Child Nutrition Programs or institutional foodservice, farm-to-school, local food systems, or community food education. Experience in training or workforce development.

Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods.

Purpose of the Position: This position is essential for coordinating logistics, training, processing operations, and USDA reporting. Without a dedicated Project Manager, WJCC would not have the operational capacity to implement or sustain the KelRae Farm Training & Processing Hub or meet the project’s farm-to-school objectives.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: upto $50,000 Per Year

Job Requirements

• Bachelor degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Office of Human Resources
• Phone: [phone]