Hope's Harvest RI Full-Year VISTA

Hope’s Harvest RI, fiscally sponsored by Farm Fresh RI, seeks an outgoing and energetic Volunteer, Communications, & Development AmeriCorps VISTA with demonstrated initiative and clear organizational skills. Hope’s Harvest RI is a gleaning project that mobilizes volunteers to rescue food from local farms that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to local hunger relief agencies. This position offers a unique opportunity to increase capacity for volunteer management, communications, and development within the context of the Hope’s Harvest RI’s food rescue program. This position requires a one-year commitment to begin on July 6, 2021. Application deadline is May 28, 2021.

Program
One in four Rhode Islanders rely on the emergency food system to meet their basic needs, a sharp increase since the previous year. In 2020, Hope’s Harvest RI rescued over 265,000 lbs of fresh, nutrient dense fruits and vegetables from local farms and delivered it to over 10,000 individuals a month via our network of emergency food providers. In 2021-22, we expect that Hope’s Harvest RI will rescue and distribute even more produce to our neighbors in need, while also supporting a robust network of volunteers and farms that make this work possible. Hope’s Harvest RI is fiscally sponsored by Farm Fresh RI, a food hub with many different programs working together to build a stronger food system in Rhode Island.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Improve Farm Fresh’s capacity to fully utilize volunteers within the context of the Hope’s Harvest RI food rescue program by updating and iterating systems for volunteer recruitment, tracking, management, and acknowledgement
  • Implement and refine a comprehensive communications strategy for the Hope’s Harvest RI food rescue program
  • Design and post social media content, stories, and copy to better reach and mobilize our unique network of volunteers, agencies, farms, and community partners, increasing connection and resource sharing
  • Revise and update templates for ongoing outreach to stakeholder groups to improve volunteer recruitment, fundraising efforts, and community awareness of program activities and impact
  • Increase fundraising capacity for Hope’s Harvest RI food rescue program, specifically around corporate sponsorships and events
  • Engage in awareness raising and education when interfacing with volunteers during gleaning trips, strengthening our capacity to work within an evolving food system
  • Research and utilize data systems, and leverage technology, to be able to create more robust reports and better support our growing network of community partners

Essential Functions

  • 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
  • Comfort and facility driving large vehicles (training available)
  • Must be able to lift 50 lb.
  • Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
  • Willingness to work hands-on in various environments (outdoors at markets, inside at office)
  • Some experience with farming or gardening in a professional capacity (internships, academic learning/service or consistent volunteer work on a farm or in a community garden setting would qualify)
  • Comfort with technology and data systems

Non-Essential Functions

  • Experience with CRM (Salesforce,) and/or training a plus
  • Coding or graphic/web design a plus
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite preferred
  • Spanish skills or other language skills are a plus

About AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering 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.

Terms of Service & Hours Requirements
Full-year AmeriCorps VISTA members must commit to a full week, approx. 36-40 hour/week, AmeriCorps full-time service term from July 6, 2021 to July 8, 2022.

Primary working hours will be Monday through Friday 8am-4pm with ability to work early evenings or weekends as needed. Member schedules can be flexible, and they will be in regular conversation about schedules with their direct supervisor.

Members will be given the opportunity to fulfill all service hour requirements while also allowing for holidays, sick leave, and PTO. Missed hours can be made up onsite or offsite 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 trainings on AmeriCorps program impacts, history, and prohibited activities, as well as an orientation to local food systems and food justice topics addressed by Hope’s Harvest RI programs. Training will not exceed more than 20% of the members total service hours completed.

AmeriCorps VISTA Member Benefits

  • Bi-weekly living allowance of $513.94
  • $400 monthly rent stipend
  • Monthly bus pass
  • Student loan deferment
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Professional development opportunities
  • CNCS health benefit & childcare assistance
  • $6,345 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 full year position starting on July 6, 2021 and ending July 8, 2022. The deadline to apply is 5/28/2021.

  • To find the application on the AmeriCorps website, go to My AmeriCorps - Login and click “Search Listings.”
  • For the search, select the “Rhode Island” and “AmeriCorps VISTA” options. Scroll until you find this position, click on it, and “Apply Now.”
  • Submit your application including 2 references.
  • No calls or drop-ins please.

Applications must be submitted through this AmeriCorps VISTA site. Farm Fresh Rhode Island and Hope’s Harvest RI cannot accept applications directly.

About Hope’s Harvest RI
Hope’s Harvest RI and its fiscal sponsor Farm Fresh Rhode Island are committed to equal opportunity in employment. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We’ve adopted this commitment because we believe the inclusion of racially, economically, and culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better outcomes for all. We are actively seeking candidates who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in this work. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an Equal Opportunity Employer.