Jobs and Internships

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the leading national organization working to improve public policy to eradicate hunger and under-nutrition in the United States. FRAC engages in research, analysis, training, technical assistance, advocacy, and public education to improve public nutrition programs and broaden their reach. FRAC and its anti-hunger partners throughout the U.S. work to alert the public and policymakers to the extent of hunger and its impact, and forge workable solutions at the national, state and community levels.

Current Openings and General Internship Information

Anti-Hunger Program Associate – D.C. Hunger Solutions

Position Available

D.C. Hunger Solutions, the District of Columbia-focused initiative of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), seeks a highly motivated and skilled individual to join its staff as an Anti-Hunger Program Associate. Through advocacy, research, coalition-building, outreach, technical assistance, public education and program monitoring, the Anti-Hunger Program Associate will be responsible for working to increase participation and benefits in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program and additional federal nutrition programs in the District of Columbia. As part of the D.C. Hunger Solutions’ team, the Associate will also work to advance the overall goals of D.C. Hunger Solutions, to support the efforts of partner coalitions, and to address broader community food security issues in Washington, D.C. The ideal candidate must be committed to addressing hunger and poverty in Washington, D.C. This full-time position reports to the Director of D.C. Hunger Solutions.

Organizational Background

As the hub of anti-hunger advocacy, outreach, research, and public education work in the District of Columbia, D.C. Hunger Solutions plays a key leadership role in improving public anti-hunger programs and developing and promoting stronger solutions from the anti-hunger and anti-poverty groups and coalitions throughout the city. D.C. Hunger Solutions carries out its mission to reduce hunger and poverty and improve nutrition by: maximizing participation in the federal nutrition programs (SNAP/food stamps; WIC; school meals; and summer, afterschool, and child care meals); improving public policies to end hunger, reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and curb obesity; and increasing access to healthy, affordable food in low-income District neighborhoods.

D.C. Hunger Solutions works to alert the public and policymakers about the extent of hunger and its adverse effects on health, learning, productivity and well-being; to forge and implement workable solutions; and to engage a network of partners to make the federal nutrition programs accessible to all those who are in need.

D.C. Hunger Solutions is a separately staffed and funded initiative of the Food Research and Action Center, a national anti-hunger organization.

Responsibilities

  • Take ongoing responsibility for the development and implementation of strategies to increase participation in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program in the District. This will include site visits, outreach, presentations, research, technical assistance, public education, policy advocacy, assistance to partner groups, work with the media, and the development of materials.
  • Analyze policies and practices that foster or inhibit program participation in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program.
  • Collect and report data on SNAP/food stamp participation rates and outreach efforts.
  • Coordinate SNAP/food stamp outreach, in partnership with the D.C. EITC Campaign during tax season. This includes training and assisting volunteers, pre-screening potentially eligible clients, and coordinating the filing of SNAP/food stamp applications with the D.C. Department of Human Services.
  • Work, as part of the D.C. Hunger Solutions’ team, to engage the public and policymakers about the issue of hunger in the District of Columbia and to identify solutions to hunger in D.C.
  • Assist in efforts to expand participation and improve benefits in other public nutrition assistance programs.

Skills and Qualifications

  • Commitment to working for social justice; background in anti-poverty work preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of one year relevant experience.
  • Strong oral, written and organizational skills.
  • Ability to reach out effectively to low-income families and community-based organizations eligible for program benefits.
  • Good conceptual, strategic thinking and creative skills.
  • Detail-oriented planning and implementation skills.
  • Willingness to work varied hours.
  • Ability to manage several tasks simultaneously.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Strong teamwork capabilities.
  • Ability to speak Spanish a plus.

Salary and Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience. Generous leave, health and other benefits.

To Apply

The position is available immediately.

Send resume, writing sample (not to exceed three pages), and cover letter providing a summary of accomplishments and experience to:

Anti-Hunger Program Associate Search
D.C. Hunger Solutions
Food Research and Action Center
1875 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009

E-mail: employment@dchunger.org (please include “D.C. Anti-Hunger Program Associate” in subject line.)
Fax: 202-986-2525
No phone calls please

Closing Date

When filled. However, FRAC/D.C. Hunger Solutions seeks to hire a qualified individual as soon as possible.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic or national origin.

Posted: April 2013

Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions

Position

Maryland Hunger Solutions, an initiative of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), seeks a highly motivated and skilled individual to lead the organization’s work to reduce hunger and improve nutrition in the State of Maryland. The ideal candidate must be committed to addressing poverty and hunger in Maryland; be a highly skilled public policy advocate and leader; be an effective supervisor of a talented staff; be creative and a self-starter; have a proven ability to excel at working in partnerships; and have experience balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders. This full-time position is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and requires travel to Annapolis and around the state, as well as to the FRAC office in Washington, DC.

Organizational Background

Formed in 2007, Maryland Hunger Solutions (MDHS) is the leading Maryland non-profit working to reduce hunger and improve nutrition in the State of Maryland by improving participation and benefits in public nutrition and related programs.  MDHS’s focus is on using federal programs (e.g., food stamps, called the Food Supplement Program in Maryland, school breakfast and lunch, summer and afterschool nutrition programs, child care food, WIC and other programs) to reduce hunger and its adverse effects; to improve economic security, health and nutrition; and to strengthen community institutions.

Key goals include assuring that the policies and practices of Maryland state and local agencies and school districts are designed to allow low-income families and individuals maximum access to nutrition programs; that the State, counties and school districts take advantage of options in federal law to maximize access and benefits; that outreach, organizing, collaborations, training and technical assistance allow families and individuals, community-based organizations, service providers, child care providers and others in the state to use the nutrition programs to the greatest extent possible; that the programs are providing healthy nutrition; that proven best practices are promoted and widely adopted so that the food security and health of Marylanders improves; and that the public and policymakers are alerted to the extent of hunger and its impact on Maryland residents.  MDHS is a core member of the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, a public-private coalition led by the Governor’s Office for Children to raise awareness about childhood hunger in the state and increase participation in nutrition programs that combat hunger. MDHS leads the Maryland Food Access and Nutrition Network and is a key participant in various other anti-hunger and anti-poverty coalitions.  For more information on MDHS, see http://www.mdhungersolutions.org. For more information on FRAC, see www.frac.org.

Responsibilities

The Director will lead and oversee all aspects of MDHS work, including policy analysis and public education, advocacy, outreach, coalition-building, technical assistance and organizing.

Responsibilities of the Director include:

  • Providing leadership to anti-hunger efforts in the state;
  • Spearheading advocacy efforts;
  • Guiding the development of  information and tools such as reports, policy briefs, guides, etc., and providing hands-on technical assistance to effectively implement the federal nutrition programs in Maryland;
  • Making public presentations and representing MDHS and its causes in the media;
  • Leading and participating in coalitions and grass-roots efforts;
  • Building relationships with funders and working with the FRAC development team on proposals and reports to generate financial support;
  • Managing the budget to match priorities and funding; and
  • Recruiting and developing a talented staff.

Key qualifications:

  • Familiarity with and commitment to needs of persons with low income;
  • Undergraduate degree required and advanced degree in relevant area (such as public policy, law, public health, nutrition, social science) preferred;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills;
  • At least five years of organizing, coalition-building and policy advocacy experience or equivalent;
  • Experience developing senior-level relationships;
  • Fundraising experience desired;
  • Ability to work independently and set and achieve program goals;
  • Experience managing an office and developing and recruiting staff; and
  • Flexibility to travel within Maryland and to DC.

Salary/Benefits

Salary dependent on experience; generous benefit package

Closing Date

When filled. However, Maryland Hunger Solutions seeks to hire a qualified individual as soon as possible.

Application

Send letter, resume and writing sample (no more than three pages) to:

Director Search – Maryland Hunger Solutions
Food Research and Action Center
1875 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009
Fax: (202) 986-2525
E-mail: employment@mdhungersolutions.org (include position title in email subject line)

No phone calls, please.  Emailed applications preferred.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.  FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.

Posted:  May 17, 2013

Child Nutrition Summer Intern – Summer and Afterschool Meals Team

Position Available

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), a nonprofit public policy, research, and advocacy organization that works to end hunger in the U.S., is seeking a summer intern to work with FRAC’s summer and afterschool meals expansion team. The intern will work with members of the team to develop resources targeted for a variety of stakeholders including state child nutrition agencies, anti-hunger and child advocates, school districts, and community-based organizations to expand summer and afterschool meals participation, and will provide research support on emerging issues affecting the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Afterschool Meal Program offered through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

Organizational Background

FRAC is the leading national nonprofit organization working to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and undernutrition in the United States. FRAC works with hundreds of national, state and local nonprofit organizations, state and local public agencies, schools, corporations and labor organizations to address hunger, food insecurity, and their root cause, poverty.

FRAC’s afterschool and summer nutrition program expansion work is part of its Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, which focuses on increasing low-income children’s access to the federal nutrition programs. The afterschool and summer nutrition programs play a crucial role in reducing childhood hunger and improving children’s health and educational achievement, but serve only a fraction of the low-income children who need access to these programs. This position will focus on using strategies that have been proven to increase afterschool and summer nutrition program participation, with a focus on outreach and providing technical support to cities, schools, nonprofits, anti-hunger organizations, and other key stakeholders in order to drive participation growth.

Skills and Qualifications
  • Very strong writing and research skills; experience in conducting outreach preferred.
  • Experience and/or demonstrated interest in child health, poverty, and/or nutrition-related issues.
  • Understanding of hunger and poverty and their impact upon communities, families, and individuals.
  • Knowledge of SFSP, the CACFP Afterschool Meal Program and other government programs for low-income children preferred.
  • Commitment to working for social justice.
  • Experience working with schools, public agencies, and nonprofits a plus.
Responsibilities and Potential Projects
  • Assist with the development and updating of program guides and publications.
  • Assist in the collection of data and surveys for annual program status reports.
  • Research and compile best practice models from local advocates, sponsors, and providers of summer and afterschool meals.
  • Track national, state, and local summer and afterschool meals expansion efforts, including implementation of streamlining policies recently issued by US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  • Compile resources and announcements for monthly newsletter informing summer and afterschool key stakeholders of news and updates affecting the Summer Food Service Program and the Afterschool Meal Program.
  • Assist in organizing and planning monthly webinars and conference calls for national partner organizations and for afterschool and summer meal administrators, sponsors and advocates.
  • Assist in the administration of grants provided to targeted cities and anti-hunger groups to implement the summer and afterschool nutrition programs locally, tracking and reporting progress relative to scheduled outcomes.

Benefits

This internship may be done either on a volunteer basis or to meet course/program requirements. If this is done on a volunteer basis, FRAC will reimburse commuting expenses up to $500. Summer interns are expected to work at least 32 hours per week.

To Apply 

Email cover letter, resume, and writing sample to employment@frac.org. Include “Summer and Afterschool Meals Intern” in subject line.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic or national origin.

Child Nutrition Summer Intern – School Breakfast Team

Position Available

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), a nonprofit public policy, research, and advocacy organization that works to end hunger in the U.S., is seeking a summer intern to work with FRAC’s school breakfast expansion team. The intern will work with members of the breakfast team to develop resources targeted for a variety of stakeholders including state child nutrition agencies, anti-hunger and education advocates, and school districts to expand school breakfast participation, and will provide research support on emerging issues effecting the School Breakfast Program. This position will include significant exposure to policy making processes and interaction (conference calls, meetings, etc.) with leaders in the anti-hunger and nutrition policy community.

Organizational Background

FRAC is the leading national nonprofit organization working to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and undernutrition in the United States. FRAC works with hundreds of national, state and local nonprofit organizations, state and local public agencies, schools, corporations and labor organizations to address hunger, food insecurity, and their root cause, poverty.

FRAC’s school breakfast expansion work is part of its Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, which focuses on increasing children’s access to the federal nutrition programs. The School Breakfast Program plays a crucial role in reducing childhood hunger and improving children’s health and educational achievement. This position will provide valuable experience working with key stakeholders and advocates to increase school breakfast participation by low-income children, with a special focus on encouraging schools to adopt in-classroom breakfast programs.

Skills and Qualifications
  • Very strong writing and research skills; data analysis experience preferred.
  • Experience and/or demonstrated interest in child health, poverty, and/or nutrition-related issues.
  • Understanding of hunger and poverty and their impact upon communities, families, and individuals.
  • Knowledge of the School Breakfast Program and other government programs for low-income children preferred.
  • Commitment to working for social justice.
  • Experience working with schools, public agencies, and nonprofits a plus.
Responsibilities and Potential Projects
  • Literature review of recent school breakfast research and updating annotated bibliography of school breakfast research.
  • Assist with collection of data and surveys for annual school breakfast reports (“School Breakfast Scorecard” and “School Breakfast: Making it Work in Large School Districts”).
  • Assist with development of technical assistance resources for state agencies and school districts to implement Community Eligibility (the newest federal option for serving free school meals in high poverty schools).
  • Assist with development and data collection for survey of school administrators related to implementation of in-classroom breakfast programs.
  • Create monthly newsletter to inform key stakeholders of news and updates affecting the School Breakfast Program.
  • Track national, state, and local school breakfast expansion efforts, including state legislation and available grant funding opportunities for schools.
  • Assist with development of in-classroom breakfast menu planning resources for schools, including a survey of existing menus.
  • Research school breakfast participation in low-performing school districts taken over by the state department of education.
  • Research issues related to increasing access to school breakfast in public charter schools.

Benefits

This internship may be done either on a volunteer basis or to meet course / program requirements. If this is done on a volunteer basis, FRAC will reimburse commuting expenses up to $500. Summer interns are expected to work at least 32 hours per week.

To Apply

Email cover letter, resume, and writing sample to employment@frac.org. Include “School Breakfast Intern” in subject line.
FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic or national origin.

Desktop Publishing/Graphic Design Intern

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is looking for a Desktop Publishing / Graphic Design Intern to support the communications department. Projects may include, but will not be limited to:

  • Assist with design and formatting of FRAC publications, including reports, brochures, and other print materials. The majority of work will be conducted with Microsoft Word, with occasional work in InDesign.
  • Assist with the design of digital marketing materials, including presentations and web banners.
  • Assist with the development of graphics / infographics to support FRAC data releases.
  • Assist with preparing orders and artwork files for print.
  • Monitor and update inventories for printed materials.
  • Organize and manage photography archives.
  • Other duties may be assigned as opportunities emerge.

Skills

  • Good knowledge of desktop publishing and graphic design software and equipment, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator).
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills.
  • Resourcefulness, ability to take initiative and to work both independently and as a team are vital.
  • Knowledge of basic HTML and familiarity designing for the web is preferred.
  • Photography skills are a plus.
  • Creative approach to projects.

Goals of the Internship

This internship will provide key work experience in desktop publishing/graphic design and communications at a nonprofit organization.

Benefits

This internship may be done either on a volunteer basis or to meet course / program requirements. If this is done on a volunteer basis, FRAC will reimburse commuting expenses up to $500.

To Apply

Email cover letter, resume, and examples of design work (print and online) to www.employment@frac.org. Include “Desktop Publishing/Graphic Design Intern” in subject line.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic or national origin.