Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks a Community Education Summer AmeriCorps VISTA for a 10-Week service term. This position offers a unique opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of seniors, children, and adults across Rhode Island by providing food literacy, nutrition, and life-skills education at farmers markets, school meal sites, libraries, and other community settings. This is a 10-week position starting on June 20th and ending on August 25th 2023. The deadline to apply is 5/10/2023.
Primary Responsibilities
- Plan and prepare materials and lessons for food and nutrition education programs.
- Assist community education staff with program implementation for youth, families, and seniors.
- Participate in program performance measurement process through the administration of pre and post surveys to program participants.
- Collect quality data regarding effectiveness of program activities and conduct data entry weekly.
- Provide onsite support to program participants during recruitment and program implementation.
- Monitor program participation and evaluation.
Skills Required
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal)
- Great attention to detail
- Self starter and ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Excellent time-management skills
- Ability to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
- Spanish skills or other language skills are a plus
- Good customer service skills and willing to engage with adults and children
- Willingness to work hands-on in various environments (outdoors at markets, inside at office)
- Able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds
- Must have a valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation- mileage reimbursement will be provided for personal vehicle use.
- A US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the U.S.
- At least 18 years old
- A minimum of a high school diploma or GED
- No more than three previous terms as an AmeriCorps Member
- Pass a criminal history background check, for recurring access to vulnerable populations, including a search of the National Sex Offenders Public Website, a Rhode Island criminal record check, state of residence if different than Rhode Island, and a finger-print based FBI background check
About AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improve lives and foster civic engagement. AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges and advance local solutions.
AmeriCorps VISTA Member Benefits
- Bi-weekly living allowance of $675.08
- Student loan deferment
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
- $1,459.26 Segal Education Award upon completion of service to help pay for college, graduate school, or vocational training, or to repay student loans
To Apply
This is a 10-week position starting on July 20, 2023 and ending August 25, 2023. The deadline to apply is May 10, 2023.
- To apply: please go to: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp and review AmeriCorps VISTA information on this site.
- Then go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do and click the red “Apply to Serve” link.
- Once you have created your profile, navigate to our listing and click the red “Apply Now” button at the bottom of the page.
- Submit your application including 2 references. Applications must be submitted through this AmeriCorps VISTA site, Farm Fresh Rhode Island cannot accept applications directly.
- No calls or walk-ins please.
Organizational Info
Farm Fresh has grown briskly since achieving 501c3 status in 2007, to capture the public interest in locally grown food and translate it into sales for local and regional farmers and producers. Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh RI hosts a variety of programs to enhance the local food system, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food. Farm Fresh also operates a range of marketplace programs (retail, wholesale, processing) that engage and connect tens of thousands of eaters with thousands of farmers and food producers across the Northeast region.
Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of farmers and eaters in our region.
Vision: A New England 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.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an AmeriCorps grantee and receives funds as part of their State and National program, and to operate our VISTA program.