Johnson County looks to hire local food planner

IOWA CITY - Johnson County wants to hire someone to coordinate the growing number of local food efforts in the county.

County supervisors today will discuss the job duties of a local food and planning specialist to work with the Johnson County Food Policy Council on programs that improve access to healthy and locally produced food.

A draft of the position's job description says the person will be a liaison between food providers and those who need produce, and will coordinate food-related events. The person also will help develop the county's strategic plan for the County Poor Farm site on Melrose Avenue.

'This job is kind of multifaceted,” Supervisor Mike Carberry said. 'They're going to be wearing a lot of hats.”

The job description seeks someone knowledgeable of local food systems and policies, farming, event planning and community outreach. A college degree in a related field and one year of experience is sought.

To pay for the position, the county held back funds it has traditionally allocated to area food initiatives. The plan is to have the new staff member help those groups.

'(The board) took funds that had been dedicated to other services and earmarked them for this position,” said Andy Johnson, board executive assistant. 'The intent is that it will oversee the county's local foods initiatives and assist with the planning and oversight of the county farm property.”

It has not yet been determined if the new staffer will work half-time or full-time.

Lora Shramek, county human resources coordinator, said, after the job description is finalized, a job evaluation team will determine the appropriate compensation range for the new position. That process should take less than two weeks, she said.

Supervisor Rod Sullivan said the county hopes to have a candidate selected and working by this fall.