Position Overview 

The Community Health Manager (CHM) plays an integral role for VYCC’s Food and Farm program in overseeing the partnerships and overall operations of the Health Care Share (HCS). The CHM is responsible for managing existing partnerships, developing new ones, securing new funding sources for the program, and collaborating with the Food and Farm the team on the expansion of the program. Additional responsibilities include enrolling HCS participants; coordinating share distribution; coordinating patient education opportunities such as taste tests and cooking demos; collecting and analyzing program data; and mentoring young people working on our Farm Crews. This position requires a passion for working within the health sector, a deep commitment to community food security, and a collaborative and creative mindset.  

Who We Are  

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps’ Food & Farm Program is a dynamic youth development, diversified agriculture and food security initiative.  We engage young people in organic farming and food education on our historic 400-acre campus in Richmond, Vermont.  Each year the program provides employment opportunities to youth and young adults who assist in the daily operations of the farm. Annually, the program produces 11 acres of organically certified vegetables and meat and eggs from hundreds of pasture-raised chickens which are distributed through the Health Care Share, VYCC’s award-winning food is medicine program.   

The Heath Care Share connects Vermont families who experience barriers to accessing locally grown produce or have a diet-related illness with a weekly vegetable share they pick up at partnering medical centers. It is the largest food as medicine program in the state, reaching more than 450 families per year and working with over a dozen medical partners. The program is in its 12th year and is in a strong place, with a robust network of partners supporting its success. We are looking for a new Community Health Manager who will bring experience and an innovative spirit to the VYCC team to build on the success of the current program and continue its innovation and expansion. 

Essential Functions: 

Partner Management  

• Coordinate with medical partners to ensure strong HCS partnerships, in collaboration with Food and Farm Program Director  
• Promote HCS expansion through additional partnerships, revenue streams, and HCS recipient networks 
• Provide technical assistance to HCS partners by phone, email, virtual coffee hours, site visits, and/or in-person meetings 
• Support networking of HCS partners by organizing convenings and facilitating peer-to-peer learning 
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in areas of health care, community food security, and food as medicine initiatives and contribute to working groups that will advance the sustainability of food as medicine programs in Vermont 

Program Logistics 

• Coordinate with VYCC Farm Production staff in planning and weekly creation of share contents 
• Work with partner organizations to oversee HCS member enrollment 
• Manage HCS distribution logistics (including equipment, coordinating with site supervisors and volunteers, and VYCC staff) 
• Create and maintain HCS process documents and contact lists to support program operations 
• Develop and refine registrations, surveys, and health outcome measurement tools; track and report on HCS program evaluation data 

Fundraising 

• Collaborate with other VYCC staff to secure fee-for-service revenues with partnering medical centers, hospitals and health care clinics 
• Work with VYCC team in identifying, forecasting, and submitting grants, appeals, and reports for philanthropic support 
• Assist in designing and implementing Food and Farm Program fundraising and community engagement events  

Food and Farm Program Support 

• Collaborate with Food and Farm Program staff to design and implement trainings for Corps Members 
• Oversee and provide guidance to Corps Members who serve to support the HCS program  
• Support production and program needs on the farm – including occasional weekend chores, leading volunteer groups in farm work, and working with crews in the field  

• Represent VYCC’s Food and Farm Program with relevant committees and at conferences 

   

Skills and Qualifications  

• Relevant prior experience managing programs in fields such as: healthcare systems, public health, community food security, or community-supported agriculture 
• Previous grant writing and reporting experience  
• Effective communication skills, including writing, public speaking, and meeting facilitation  
• Ability to relate to diverse program stakeholders including staff, board, partners, program participants, and donors 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and on a team 
• Knowledge of the Vermont food, farm, and public health landscape  
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail  
• Passionate and informed about the ways that food systems, nutrition, and diet-related disease intersect with issues like equity, and health.  
• Available to work occasional nights and weekends