Veggielution – Advocacy Manager
Job Description
Title: Advocacy Manager
Reports to: Policy Director
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Compensation: $77,334 yearly salary
Hours & Benefits: 40hrs/wk, medical/dental/vision benefits, paid holidays, 401k
Position Summary
Veggielution is seeking a Advocacy Manager focused on food and environmental equity.
The primary purpose of the Advocacy Manager is to mobilize Veggielution’s grassroots
partners. The Advocacy Manager supports the Policy Director in managing
Veggielution’s participation in coalitions, organizing local events, providing research
support for policy issues, and participating in communication activities. The Advocacy
Manager will work collaboratively with the Strategic Communications and Management
teams to support Veggielution’s network and grassroots partners to advance our food
and environmental equity advocacy. As it is a new position to Veggielution, ideal
candidates will be self-motivated, flexible, adept at managing change, and driven by our
mission to connect people from diverse backgrounds through food and farming to build
community in East San Jose. This is a full-time, exempt position.
Organizational Overview
With an annual budget of $3.5 million, Veggielution connects thousands of community
members each year through programs that encourage experiential learning and deep
connection. We are located in Emma Prusch Farm Park in the Mayfair neighborhood of
East San José. Through Veggielution’s three key program platforms–Food Sovereignty,
Organizing and Advocacy, and Environmental Education–our aim is to help our East
San José neighbors experience a richness of community life and health that combats
social isolation and provides the support needed to create more robust social networks
and take positive action in their community. Our goal is to engage residents throughout
Santa Clara County, with a special emphasis on fostering community and family
engagement in the low-income, working immigrant community of East San José. We
believe that through shared conversations and experiences, healthy food and outdoor
learning, Veggielution can help to build social capital in East San José and change
attitudes and policies toward low-income residents by strengthening diverse and
multicultural social networks.
Veggielution is one of five anchor organizations in the Mayfair neighborhood of East
San José, including Amigos de Guadalupe, Grail Family Services, the School of Arts
and Culture at MHP, SOMOS Mayfair that comprises the Sí Se Puede Collective
(SSPC.) The SSPC formalizes the shared commitment of these organizations to serve
low-income families living in the Mayfair community. By coordinating the work of these
Veggielution Community Farm
www.veggielution.org | admin@veggielution.org
647 S King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116 | (408) 753-6705
organizations, the SSPC aims to produce a much greater positive
impact in the community than any one organization can do alone.
Essential Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Food and Environment Projects
- Advocacy and Policy Platform (25%)
○ Keep track of current policies that are affecting food entrepreneurs, urban
and rural farmers, and consumers at the City, County and state wide level.
○ Represent and speak on behalf of Veggielution and the Si Se Puede
Collective in hearings, coalitions, conferences, and other spaces.
○ Develop strategies to build and keep updated the Veggielution Policy
Platform.
○ Produce ongoing updates for the key campaign stakeholders, including
funders.
○ Support research, content, and strategy development across campaigns.
○ Hold conversations to identify interests, needs, priorities, and resources
around Climate and Food Advocacy.a - Partnership and Networking (20%)
○ Foster and maintain strong relationships with local nonprofits, community
groups, and public agencies to expand program reach and impact.
○ Represent the organization at community forums, conferences, and
networking events to advocate for food security and environmental justice
issues.
○ Develop collaborative strategies to leverage resources and support for
project implementation. - Supervision and evaluations (25%)
○ Provide ongoing support, guidance, and coaching to program staff,
volunteers, and community leaders.
○ Support committee management led by program coordinators.
○ Oversee the evaluation of program outcomes using both qualitative and
quantitative metrics.
○ Ensure compliance with program goals, funding requirements, and
organizational standards. - Administrative work (15%)
○ Manage project budgets, track expenditures, and prepare regular financial
and programmatic reports.
Veggielution Community Farm
www.veggielution.org | admin@veggielution.org
647 S King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116 | (408) 753-6705
○ Maintain accurate records of participant data, attendance,
evaluations, and project deliverables.
○ Assist with grant writing and reporting to secure and maintain funding for
advocacy initiatives.
○ Coordinate internal and external communications, including newsletters,
social media updates, and community outreach materials - Partner Mobilization (15%):
○ Serve as Veggielution representative to Sí Se Puede Collective Advocacy
Committee
○ Build relationships with county-level decision-makers and participate in
community meetings (including member preparation/feedback and
participation) related to Veggielution and the SSPC’s policy agenda.
○ Support planning and coordination of 1st Saturday Programming
Experience and Qualifications
● Passion for Veggielution’s mission, matched with a strong work ethic
● Experience managing and supervising teams with diverse cultural backgrounds.
● Experience working in a community organizing or advocacy-related position,
preferably at a nonprofit or community-based organization
● Demonstrated experience or understanding of environmental and social justice.
● Ability to work within and across teams and offices
● Ability to work with grassroots partners and coalitions and integrate their voice in
advocacy efforts
● Experience planning in-person and virtual advocacy events
● Experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment—with ability and desire
to help shape a new role and flexibly shift responsibilities over time as the role
and the organization evolve
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
● Familiarity with or willingness to learn:
o Slack, Salesforce, Canva, Asana
● Ability to treat sensitive issues with respect and empathy and maintain strict
confidentiality where required
● Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal and written communication skills
● Bilingual Spanish/English or Vietnamese/English
Veggielution Community Farm
www.veggielution.org | admin@veggielution.org
647 S King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116 | (408) 753-6705
Physical and Travel Requirements
● Frequent typing/computer use
● Frequent telephone use
The physical demands described here are representative of what an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations can be made to enable individuals with differing abilities to
perform the essential functions.
The Details
● Location: Mix of remote and onsite work requiring frequent interactions with
visitors in a public park setting.
● Monday-Friday work week with occasional planning for and participation in
weekend activities; occasional early morning or late evening work
Veggielution is committed to being an anti-racist organization that embraces shared
leadership and is passionate about achieving social justice. We are seeking candidates
who are excited about engaging fully in this work with us.
Veggielution is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Applicants are considered for
employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual
orientation, gender identity and gender expression, disability or veteran status.
To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to: hr@veggielution.org
Application deadline:Open until filled
