Jobs, RFPs, & Internships

Download: Communications Associate (Part-Time) Job Description

ABOUT RIFPC

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) is an independent statewide network with a mission to promote a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable food system. We cultivate partnerships, develop and implement high-impact projects, and advocate for good food policy. We center equity in our work, which touches all parts of the food chain – production, harvesting, processing, distribution, consumption/access, and waste management. We operate with a collaborative professional staff, over 200 engaged and diverse council members, and hundreds more stakeholders from across the Ocean State. More information about RIFPC can be found at www.rifoodcouncil.org.

The RI Food Policy Council seeks a part-time (20 hr/wk) Communications Associate to help advance our mission by telling the story of Rhode Island’s food system, engaging our Council and network, and building awareness and support for our policy priorities.

The primary objectives of the person in this role are to:

• Engage our community and keep people informed, active, and inspired in our work
• Raise awareness of RIFPC’s policy priorities and programs
• Recruit participants for our convenings, educational programming, and advocacy campaigns
• Strengthen our reputation with state leaders, decisionmakers, partners, and funders
• Build and maintain a strong presence for RIFPC across digital and traditional media
• Ensure comprehensive collection and storage of all RIFPC earned media

The ideal candidate for this position will be:

• A good listener and an excellent writer
• Skilled in planning, creating and posting content on social media platforms
• Experienced in updating websites similar to RIFPC’s (www.rifoodcouncil.org)
• Successful in securing media coverage for mission-based issues
• Highly organized, focused and attentive to detail
• An accountable and collaborative teammate
• A self starter who can manage projects independently
• Passionate about building equitable, sustainable food systems
• Knowledgeable about Rhode Island’s food system and media landscape

The Communications Associate will report to the Executive Director with a dotted line to the Operations Manager. They will take part in weekly staff meetings and will also communicate with Council, network, and board members occasionally.

This is a part-time, grant funded position working 20 hours per week at $27,000 per year, plus retirement contributions. The position is currently funded through the end of 2027, with the possibility of extension beyond 2027 depending on the availability of continued funding. Most work will be conducted remotely, with most hours flexible between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. This person will participate in virtual meetings throughout the week, with weekly interaction with the Executive Director and Operations Manager. Check-ins regarding priority content with full staff will occur once or twice a month. In-person meetings and events will occur at a rate of approximately two per month. The anticipated start date is January 4, 2027.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, write and distribute a bimonthly newsletter with staff input.
• Develop and maintain a consistent social media presence across RIFPC’s platforms by planning, writing, creating, and scheduling posts in alignment with established communications priorities, organizational messaging, and guidance from the Executive Director and relevant staff.
• Gather and synthesize information from across the organization and from partners, working with staff to understand communications needs and priorities and translating them into assigned communications activities and content.
• Maintain our communications calendar.
• Write and distribute occasional press releases, in collaboration with the Executive Director (approximately four per year).
• Update and manage a statewide press list.
• Regularly update and maintain the RIFPC website with new content, resources, publications, and events, bringing larger content or structural questions to the appropriate staff member.
• Collect and organize all RIFPC earned media.
• Represent RIFPC enthusiastically and in a manner consistent with our mission and values when interacting with press, members, and external stakeholders.
• Attend and photograph RIFPC events and activities as needed.
• Participate in weekly virtual staff meetings and monthly in-person staff meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Two or more years of experience working as a communications professional, managing social media platforms, websites, external communications, and press engagement
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines independently
• Proficiency with common digital communications and office tools (Office Suite, Google Drive, WordPress, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, MailChimp, Basecamp, Canva, LinkTree)
• Ability to quickly absorb new information and translate complex ideas into clear, engaging communications for different audiences
• Experience engaging and communicating with diverse stakeholders
• Alignment with RIFPC’s food system mission and values
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively as part of a small, remote-first team

Preferred

• Existing relationships with RI media outlets
• Experience with graphic design and video production
• Knowledge of the Rhode Island food sector and media landscape
• Bachelor’s degree

Additional Requirements

• Must be at least 17 years old
• Must be based in Rhode Island or Massachusetts
• A US Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident and able to provide documentation of citizenship
• Willingness to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check

Please note: We encourage applications from individuals who believe they possess the key competencies and can demonstrate the ability to execute the responsibilities, even if you do not have every listed qualification/skill.

Individuals who want to apply should send a cover letter and resume to jobs@rifoodcouncil.org with “Communications Associate” in the subject line. Applications received before November 2, 2026 will be given preference.

Download: Fundraising Research Intern Job Description Spring 2027

ABOUT RIFPC

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) is an independent statewide network with a mission to promote a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable food system. We cultivate partnerships, develop and implement high-impact projects, and advocate for good food policy. We center equity in our work, which touches all parts of the food chain – production, harvesting, processing, distribution, consumption/access, and waste management. We operate with a collaborative professional staff, over 200 engaged and diverse council members, and hundreds more stakeholders from across the Ocean State. More information about RIFPC can be found at www.rifoodcouncil.org.

The RI Food Policy Council seeks a part-time paid Fundraising Research Intern. The primary objective of the person in this role is to help secure financial support for the RIFPC. Fundraising is essential to RIFPC’s ability to continue the projects, programs and initiatives that support our mission. This intern will be a key player in ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the organization.

The ideal candidate for this position will be:

• Interested in how funders and nonprofits can help each other succeed. Someone who wants to dive into learning how funder goals and programmatic priorities can be matched to nonprofit missions and visions and understand how philanthropy works to support mission-driven outcomes and impacts.
• An accountable teammate. Someone who manages time well, is highly organized, and can be counted on to work either independently or cooperatively. A helpful-in-nature person who enjoys “owning” projects, but understands the importance of checking in and being responsive to the team.
• An organized and creative thinker. Someone who is comfortable scanning large amounts of prospective funder information on individual and aggregate websites, matching it against the work laid out in RIFPC’s strategic plan, and concisely summarizing potential matches verbally and in spreadsheet format.

The Fundraising Research Intern reports directly to the Executive Director for 10-15 hours per week at $17.50 per hour. Most work will be conducted remotely and most hours are flexible. There will be virtual meetings throughout the week, with weekly interaction with the Executive Director. In-person meetings and events may occur at a rate of 1-2 per month. The start date is flexible, with work initiating in early January and continuing through the mid-May.

Responsibilities

• Research prospective funders using individual websites and aggregate platform resources
• Review past RIFPC proposals and manage funder data
• Analyze findings using materials from the RIFPC 2025-2027 Strategic Plan including objectives and activities
• Document findings clearly using existing spreadsheet and narrative forms
• Help craft proposals and develop fundraising materials as assigned

Requirements

• Research experience, including internet searches, document analysis, and interviews
• Interest in strategic development, fundraising, and grant writing
• Comfort working and communicating with a broad range of demographically, experientially, and cognitively diverse people
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent active listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Located in Rhode Island or Massachusetts
• Experience using Google Drive, MS Offi ce Suite, Zoom, Basecamp, and other common professional platforms/programs
• Knowledge or awareness of the RI and New England food systems preferred
• At least 17 years of age
• A US Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident and able to provide documentation of citizenship
• Willingness to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check

Please note: We encourage applications from individuals who believe they possess the key competencies and can demonstrate the ability to execute the responsibilities, even if you do not have every listed qualifi cation/skill.

Individuals who wish to apply please send: a cover letter and resume to jobs@rifoodcouncil.org with “Fundraising Research Intern” in the subject line. Applications received before November 13, 2026 will be given preference.

Download: Ag Housing Research Intern Job Description Spring 2027

ABOUT RIFPC

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) is an independent statewide network with a mission to promote a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable food system. We cultivate partnerships, develop and implement high-impact projects, and advocate for good food policy. We center equity in our work, which touches all parts of the food chain – production, harvesting, processing, distribution, consumption/access, and waste management. We operate with a collaborative professional staff, over 200 engaged and diverse council members, and hundreds more stakeholders from across the Ocean State. More information about RIFPC can be found at www.rifoodcouncil.org.

The RI Food Policy Council seeks a part-time paid Agriculture, Land Preservation, and Housing Research Intern.

RI has the highest cost of farmland in the country. The RI Food Policy Council and organizations like the RI Land Trust Council, Land & Sea Together, American Farmland Trust and the Land Access Network, are working to ensure the need for housing in our state and the need to preserve land & increase local food production, are complimentary not in conflict with each other. To do this we want to further study how these policies are being handled in other states.

The primary objectives of the person in this role are to:

• Identify interconnections between housing and agricultural land preservation policy
• Build on the research of the RI Land Trust Council to get a full understanding of how RI and other states are addressing these issues
• Research zoning, housing requirements and other policies that affect this interconnection
• Deep dive into the funding mechanisms states are using to encourage land preservation and housing

The Fundraising Research Intern reports directly to the Food, Climate & Environment Program Director for 10-15 hours per week at $17.50 per hour. Most work will be conducted remotely and most hours are flexible. There will be virtual meetings throughout the week, with weekly interaction with the Food, Climate & Environment Program Director. In-person meetings and events may occur at a rate of 1-2 per month. The start date is flexible, with work initiating in early January and continuing through the mid-May.

The ideal candidate for this position will be:

• Interested in food systems and housing. Someone who wants to understand how Rhode Island can increase investment in both housing and land preservation.
• A person with a knack for data collection and basic analysis. Someone who is confident compiling data, using spreadsheet formulas to run basic analysis, and knows when to ask questions or for assistance.
• An accountable teammate. Someone who manages time well, is highly organized, and can be counted on to work independently and cooperatively.
• A good listener and an excellent writer. Someone who is comfortable reaching out via phone and email to individuals in state agencies, nonprofits, and community-based organizations to collect data.

Responsibilities

• Review state laws and regulations, diverse reports, articles, data sources, and other relevant documents related to the scope of work;
• Develop clear, consistent written summaries;
• Create Google Spreadsheets through a combination of collection methods including internet searches, email, and phone outreach;
• Interview primary sources as needed;
• Represent RIFPC enthusiastically and in a manner consistent with our mission and values when interacting with Council members and other stakeholders.

Requirements

• Strong secondary research skills
• Experience with Google Sheets and navigating online data resources
• Comfortable with emailing and calling local, regional, national, and international agencies, nonprofits, and community based organizations
• Excellent active listening, verbal and written communication
• Experience with or coursework in municipal planning, food systems, housing, or data collection strongly preferred
• Knowledgeable of the Rhode Island and New England food and coastal systems preferred
• Located in Rhode Island or Massachusetts
• At least 17 years of age
• A US Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident and able to provide documentation of citizenship
• Willingness to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check

Please note: We encourage applications from individuals who believe they possess the key competencies and can demonstrate ability to execute the responsibilities, even if you do not have every listed qualification/skill.

Individuals who wish to apply please send: a cover letter and resume to jobs@rifoodcouncil.org with “Agriculture, Land Preservation, and Housing Research Intern” in the subject line. Applications received before November 13, 2026 will be given preference.