Food Access Program Evaluation Intern
Position Description
The Community Food and Agriculture Coalition (CFAC) is searching for a qualified intern to design, implement, and report on an evaluation of its USDA Community Food Project: “Food Security and Strong Communities.”
Job details:
- Compensation: $4,500 stipend
- Hours per week: varies according to task; see timeline below
- Work schedule: flexible; must attend a check-in meeting once per week with Food Access Program Manager and must be available some Saturday mornings
- Start Date: June 1, 2017
- End Date: December 31, 2017
Job Description:
The Food Access Program Evaluation Intern will be responsible for designing and implementing various evaluation methodology to assess the effectiveness of the Project in reaching its desired goals (see below). The Project involves a variety of stakeholders, including local farmers, Double SNAP retailers and customers, and community organizations, and will require a mixed methods evaluation. The intern will work closely with the Program Manager to develop effective tools and implement the project.
Goals to be assessed include: increased self-reliance among low-income community members; increased local food purchasing among low-income consumers; connection between local farmers and low-income consumers; increased affordability of local foods; increased profits for local farmers.
This is a great opportunity to exercise academic learning, take part in real community initiatives, network with local food professionals, and publish a report that will be reviewed by the USDA. Work will also be used for future fundraising, communications, outreach, and other endeavors to improve and further develop CFAC’s food access program.
Intern must be enrolled for internship credit or receive a TARA waiver. This project can also be tailored to meet graduate portfolio, thesis, or professional paper needs if being used for a graduate project.
The intern will have the opportunity to travel to partner sites in Polson and Whitefish to conduct interviews if s/he wishes. CFAC will reimburse the incurred mileage expenses.
Main responsibilities:
- Design evaluation methodology
- Design non-biased, non-leading survey and interview guides
- Implement evaluation methodology, including surveys, interviews, and/or focus groups
- Transcribe any interviews and/or focus groups conducted
- Analyze survey and interview responses
- Develop evaluation report
Approximate Project Timeline:
Estimated hours; Subject to change upon final workplan, intern experience and efficiency
2017 | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Become familiar with the grant program and relevant research | 15 hrs | ||||||
Design methodology and assessment instruments | 20 hrs | 20 hrs | |||||
Conduct assessment (surveys, interviews, etc) | 40 hrs | 20 hrs | |||||
Transcribe interviews | 20 hrs | 20 hrs | |||||
Conduct analysis | 40 hrs | ||||||
Create reports | 20 hrs |
Qualifications:
- Pursuing a graduate degree in social work, community development, community health, food systems, or related field, plus related professional and/or academic experience
- Experience developing surveys, conducting interviews, and writing reports
- Experience with both qualitative and quantitative research and analysis
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to connect well with others
- Works well in a team environment
- Highly detail-oriented and organized
- Must be able to work independently
- Availability for occasional work on weekends
- Working knowledge of analytical software such as SPSS, R, Nvivo, helpful but not required
Position open until filled. Early applications appreciated.
To apply, email a copy of your resume, a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and experience conducting research, and three references to Kim Gilchrist: kim@missoulacfac.org
Contact Information:
Contact Kim Gilchrist, Food Access Program Manager, with any questions about this position.
- Em: kim@missoulacfac.org;
- Ph: 856.912.1080
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