Farm Fresh Rhode Island is seeking a Community Education AmeriCorps Fellow, who will report to the Farm to Community Program Director. This position requires a commitment of 900 hours of service. Completion of these hours can be flexible, based on applicant availability — from 22 to 32 hours per week for 30+ weeks. This service term will begin November 7, 2022, and extend through June 4, 2023 (or later, depending on hours per week).
Purpose of Role
A robust local food system relies on local communities understanding how to access and prepare locally grown, harvested, and produced goods. The Community Education Fellow will be integral to developing and delivering programming that helps the RI community be informed consumers and advocates.
Description of Duties
The Community Education AmeriCorps Fellow works with our Community Education and Farm to School team to implement local food access and food system and nutrition program activities throughout RI. The AmeriCorps fellow will work with the Community Education team to design and implement local food and nutrition education activities alongside staff and volunteers. They will ensure our education department works with community partners to extend greater access to nutritious, locally grown food across populations, from pre-k to seniors. This includes supporting cooking classes, taste tests, farmers market programming, garden programs, in-school and after-school education program series, among other exciting opportunities to bring local food and agriculture knowledge and access to the community.
Essenital Functions
- Complete weekly and monthly data reports on program activities for AmeriCorps and grant reporting.
- Complete program data tracking forms at up to 30 scheduled programs.
- Enter program outcomes data into databases weekly.
- Execute up to 50 scheduled education program activities on site at schools, libraries, senior centers, and/or farmers markets.
- Develop, pack, and prepare materials for scheduled off-site education programs.
- Serve as a mentor to education program participants.
- Assist with program scheduling and logistics.
- Comply with department and organizational Standard Operating Procedures in safe food handling, supply purchasing, and mileage reimbursement.
Skills
- Must have high school diploma/GED, college degree, or be working toward one (preferred but not required)
- Must be willing to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be a US Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident and be able to provide documentation of citizenship
- Must uphold AmeriCorps state and national branding and uniform standards
- Basic cooking knowledge
- Excellent time-management skills
- Must be able to work Monday through Friday
- Must be able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Must be able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds
- Must be a self-starter and have the ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
- Must be able to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Must be able to think, react, iterate, and respond in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
Non-Essential Functions & Preferred Skills
- Maintain positive relationships with external partners and organization staff.
- Follow Farm Fresh RI COVID-19 practices to support program participants and staff safety.
- Assist with ongoing grants and projects related to the aforementioned off-site education programs.
- Assist with scheduling and logistics of off-site and on-site programs.
- Experience with informal or formal education preferred.
- Knowledge of local food systems, nutrition, and food justice.
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal) preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite preferred.
- Spanish skills or other language skills are a plus.
Term of Service & Hour Requirements
This position requires a commitment of 900 hours of service. Completion of these hours can be flexible, based on applicant availability — from 22 to 32 hours per week for 30+ weeks. This service term will begin November 7, 2022, and extend through June 4, 2023 (or later, depending on hours per week).
Primary working hours will be Monday-Friday day shifts.
Members will be given the opportunity to fulfill all service hour requirements while also allowing for holidays and 50 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO). Missed hours can be made up on-site or off-site depending on supervisor approval. All Members must participate in AmeriCorps national, state, and local service projects as a part of their service term.
Orientation, Training & Evaluation
Members will receive one-on-one training on AmeriCorps program impacts, history, and prohibited activities as well as orientation to the local food system and food justice topics addressed by Farm Fresh RI programs. Training will not exceed more than 20% of the members total service hours completed.
All members will have opportunities for weekly one-on-one check-ins with supervisors as well as mid-service and end-of-service performance evaluations. Members will be responsible for submitting weekly timesheets and monthly program narrative reports.
AmeriCorps Member Benefits
- $13,000.00 living stipend, divided and paid weekly
- $3,247.50 Segal Education Award (upon completion of 900 hours of service)
- Student loan forbearance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
To Apply
This position requires a commitment of 900 hours of service. Completion of these hours can be flexible, based on applicant availability — from 22 to 32 hours per week for 30+ weeks. This service term will begin November 7, 2022, and extend through June 4, 2023 (or later, depending on hours per week). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Please complete our online application here.
- No calls or walk-ins please.
Organizational Info
Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh achieved 501c3 status in 2007, and has since implemented a wide variety of programs to enhance the local food system of Rhode Island and the New England region, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food.
Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of farmers and eaters.
Vision: A New England region abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every dinner table.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment for all employees. We encourage enquiries from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our organization. Farm Fresh RI does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability status in employment or programming. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an Equal Opportunity Provider.