The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (FEC) is a local food policy council, housed within the Institute for Public Health Innovation, that works to help local residents grow, sell, and choose healthy food. We are a group of hometown leaders and changemakers committed to bringing better food to every fork. Our council is made up of anti-hunger direct service and advocacy groups, government agencies, community-based organizations, civic associations, urban farms, universities, grocery stores, health care providers, and residents who care about where their food comes from. 

Since 2013, our council has been a voice for County residents at the policymaking table. We work with County leaders to find permanent solutions to improve our food system. We focus on systematic and sustainable changes to Prince George’s County’s public health challenges (i.e., hunger, diet-related chronic disease, and communities under food apartheid that lack healthy food options) by advocating for policy that creates a more equitable local food system.

FEC sets policy priorities on an annual basis and establishes committees to support these priorities. We have additional ad-hoc committees to support our organizational needs, such as an event planning committee or a marketing strategy committee. Our policy committees identify specific food, nutrition, and farm policies and programs, conduct research on each issue, gather input from a wide range of public stakeholders not represented on the FEC, and present findings to the full Council for a vote. FEC’s current committees are:

• Food Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee
• Values-Based Food Procurement Committee
• Healthy Food Priority Area GIS Map Committee
• Food As Medicine Program Committee
• COVID-19 Food Assistance Providers Committee
• Urban Farm Support Committee

The FEC is hiring a Communications & Food Assistance Intern to join our small team from June through August 2021. Interns have the opportunity to play an important role in many aspects of FEC’s committee work. Food Equity Council staff will oversee interns’ work on specific projects for 10 to 20 hours per week for at least three months. The Communications & Food Assistance Intern will primarily provide outreach and information through the FEC’s website and social media. Other opportunities include support for committees, event and meeting assistance, and help with some administrative tasks.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities for the position could include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

• Maintain and update COVID-19 food assistance resources
• Help draft social media posts and track engagement across our platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).
• Create and maintain website content, including authoring consistent and engaging blog posts, regularly updated current project and event information, and design changes as needed.
• Assist with newsletters and action alerts (as needed) including writing articles, selecting photos, gathering contributed material, and updating information and design.
• Assist with press releases and content for editorials and Op-Ed’s as needed, collaborating with staff and board members for content.
• Contribute at FEC meetings, support the achievement of staff and organizational goals, and interact with FEC members on communications and public relations strategies.
• General administrative support to the Council Director, Steering Committee, and work groups.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Knowledge and understanding of social media platforms and their strategic use
• Excellent and demonstrated written and verbal communications skills
• Strong computer skills, particularly website development/maintenance
• Experience developing effective messaging and sharing content across various channels
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, prioritize and execute multiple projects simultaneously
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (grantors, government, media, etc.)
• Self-directed and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to work respectfully among individuals with diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or current Enrollment in a Graduate-Level Program
• Experience in the food system, including agriculture, economic development, public health, environmental work, and/or hunger relief
• Experience working, volunteering, or interning with small non-profits
• Previous engagement with a policy or advocacy campaign
• Knowledge of contemporary public and media relations strategy
• Familiarity with Prince George’s County and the DC metro region
• Graphic design experience
• Live in or around Prince George’s County
• Bilingual (Spanish a plus)

POSITION DETAILS

Interns will work remotely with flexible hours; however, a minimum of 50% of hours must be during business hours. The successful candidate will be expected to provide their own computer with internet access. Internships are 10-20 hours a week from June through August 2021. This is an unpaid internship without benefits. A $2,500 stipend will be awarded to help cover expenses. Credit is available to students participating in a college or university program.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and one additional sample and/or link to communications-related work to Jgroenfeldt@institutephi.org by May 2nd, 2021, with the subject line “FEC Communications and Food Assistance Intern Application.” The FEC expects to hold interviews and make a hiring decision by mid-May 2021. No phone calls, please.

The Institute for Public Health Innovation values a diverse, respectful, and collaborative work environment. We establish and maintain trustful relationships with all staff, contractors, funders, partners, and communities. We believe that hard work, a focus on quality, and a passion for the public’s health are required to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. IPHI looks to all staff and contractors to contribute to the effective implementation of programmatic activities.