This is a full-time position requiring a six-month commitment. Members must commit to a 900-hour term of service, starting on March 7, 2022 through Aug 28, 2022. Deadline to apply is February 24, 2022.
Program Summary
The Harvest Kitchen project is Farm Fresh RI’s 20-week culinary-focused job-readiness training program for all youth open to the RI Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) ages 16-19 years old. During the first 15 weeks, youth learn basic culinary arts skills and earn a ServSafe Food Handlers industry certification. As part of their culinary training, youth create a line of high-quality preserved foods using ingredients sourced from local farms. Products made in the Harvest Kitchen are sold at local stores, farmers markets, and to customers through Farm Fresh’s Market Mobile local food distribution service. During the final five weeks of the program, youth participate in employment internships to further develop their job readiness and employable job skills.
Target Population/Anticipated Outcome
Currently Harvest Kitchen (HK) is able to serve 40 youth per year. The program goals are to stimulate the Rhode Island economy, provide an outlet for RI farmers to sell their B-grade produce, and deliver job training skills and culinary education to underserved teens. The Harvest Kitchen staff aim to foster favorable relationships with employers who provide employment and internship opportunities to our graduates to further their job readiness and employable job skills. We envision forging strong partnerships in the community that benefit farmers and provide healthy options for consumers, restaurants, and institutional food service buyers.
Purpose of Role
The Youth Mentor will support the HK Education Manager and HK Program Director in youth job training, youth attendance tracking, youth mentoring, in-class teaching, and organization of off-site field trips. The Youth Job Trainer will receive training on all aspects of the position and will receive additional mentoring and support from the Program Director and Education Manager. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with basic kitchen experience, experience or interest working with youth, and a passion for the local food system. Though this position is culinary-focused, a background in cooking is not a requirement.
Description of Duties
- Working closely with up to 16 marginalized youth in each session to teach, mentor, and build relationships resulting in confidence and skills to succeed both inside and outside of Harvest Kitchen
- Working with the HK Education Manager in teaching up to 16 youth each session, both in class and in the kitchen
- Processing up to 50,000 pounds yearly of B-grade produce into value-added products
- Working closely with internship sites to ensure both the site and the trainee are having as enriching an experience as possible, with the goal of having an internship site for each trainee
- Documenting youth attendance and progress reports
- Organizing up to 10 off-site trips for trainees
Essential Functions
- 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
- 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
- Experience with youth education and/or training preferred
- Knowledge of the local food system
- 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
AmeriCorps Direct Service Members must commit to approx. 36 hour/week AmeriCorps full-time service term starting March 7, 2022— totaling 900 hours of service.
Primary working hours will be Monday-Friday 11:00am-6:30pm or 8:30am-4:00pm
Members will be given the opportunity to fulfill all service hour requirements while also allowing for holidays and 25 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.
Benefits
- $$9375.00 living stipend, divided and paid weekly
- $3097.50 Segal Education Award (upon completion of 900 hours of service)
- Student loan forbearance and interest payments, if the member qualifies
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
About AmeriCorps
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. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, and fighting poverty. Members commit to a fixed term of service and receive a weekly living allowance and end of service education award.
To Apply
Members must commit to a 900 hour term of service, starting on March 7, 2022 - Aug 28, 2022. Deadline to apply is February 24, 2022. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- To apply, complete this online application.
- No phone calls or drop-ins please.
Organizational Info
Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh achieved 501c3 status in 2007, and has since implemented a variety of programs to enhance the local food system of the Rhode Island region, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food. Farm Fresh operates a wide range of marketplace programs (retail, wholesale, processing) that engage and connect tens of thousands of eaters with thousands of local farmers.
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 Northeast 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 employer.