Community Engagement Program Manager (4263C), Berkeley Food Institute - #89645

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Departmental Overview

The Berkeley Food Institute (BFI) strives to transform food systems to expand access to healthy, affordable food and promote sustainable and equitable food production. We empower new leaders with the capacity to cultivate diverse, just, resilient, and healthy food systems.

BFI connects eight academic units: Rausser College of Natural Resources, Graduate School of Journalism, Goldman School of Public Policy, School of Public Health, College of Environmental Design, Haas School of Business, Berkeley Law, and the College of Letters and Sciences, Division of Social Sciences. These academic units on the campus have partnered to create an interdisciplinary institute serving both UC Berkeley students and the general public.

We run programs in food systems education and public interest policy, and sponsor and perform rigorous scientific and community-based research. We partner with farms, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, food and agriculture businesses, other universities and advocacy organizations to understand our changing food system and provide data and evidence-based storytelling in four mission areas: urban and rural agroecology, good food access, fair and healthy jobs, and racial equity in the food system.

Position Summary

The Community Engagement Program Manager builds partnerships, coordinates events, and sustains behind-the-scenes infrastructure-from community partner and coalition engagement to fundraising and administrative support-that allow BFI's programs to reach key audiences and scale its impact.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: November 4, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Community Engagement Program Administration - 50%

• Administer and coordinate community engagement programming in partnership with community stakeholders. Work with the Executive Director (ED) to identify opportunities for community engagement to support BFI's mission and program areas. Work with BFI program and student staff to coordinate related events, including fall community showcase, public talks, workshops, summits, etc. Support the development and maintenance of the community engagement program budget. Develop and analyze benchmarks for community engagement program success.

Fundraising Administration - 25%

• Analyze small donor trends and opportunities for additional engagement. Work with the ED to coordinate grant application and reporting materials. Support the administration of crowdfunding and end-of-year donor campaigns. Coordinate the administration of fundraising, including processing of donor mailings, etc. Provide administrative support for small donor management, including communications coordination and database management.

Communications Support - 10%

• Work with the BFI Communications Program Manager and ED to support communications strategies for our community engagement programming. Assist with writing and editing program-related blogs, outreach materials, and other communications pieces as they pertain to community engagement programming.

Organizational Administrative Support - 10%

• Assist the ED with support of the BFI Executive Committee & Advisory Council engagement. Manage our Airtable partner database to support community engagement. Administer surveys and other evaluation tools to assess program impact. Support BFI strategic planning by working with the ED on annual planning. Coordinate biannual staff and faculty director retreats.

Professional Development - 5%

• Seek out professional development opportunities to advance knowledge and skills sharing within BFI.

Required Qualifications

• Experience with community engagement, including partnership development, as applied to a higher education or nonprofit organizational setting.
• Solid interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate and communicate effectively with all levels of staff and diverse constituents.
• Solid event coordination experience.
• Fundraising and grants administration and coordination experience.
• Proficient written communications skills to support diverse, internal and external partner relationships.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.
• Ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns.
• Interest and experience in agri-food systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising student staff.
• Previous administrative work in a university context.
• Working knowledge of common organization- and campus-specific computer applications and/or the ability to learn, and proficient skills in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $34.06 - $44.59, Step 1 - 13.

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Clerical & Allied Services Unit (CX) between the University of California and Teamsters Local 2010. The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/cx/index.html

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.