Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an outgoing and energetic part-time AmeriCorps member with demonstrated initiative, existing cooking knowledge, and a passion for mentoring youth to support Farm Fresh RI’s Harvest Kitchen program. Harvest Kitchen is a 15-week culinary and job-readiness training program for youth ages 16-20 involved with the RI Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF). The youth create a line of high quality preserved foods using ingredients sourced from local farms, while building a stable foundation to maintain employment beyond their time with Harvest Kitchen. This position offers a unique opportunity to support existing trainees through curriculum enhancement, one on one mentorship, and providing referrals to support youth trainees to additional programs beyond Harvest Kitchen services. This position starts in January 2020. Deadline to apply is December 14, 2019.
Primary Responsibilities
- Refine existing Harvest Kitchen training curriculum to deepen activities around food security, farming, and community economic development.
- Establish meaningful relationships and act as a mentor to Harvest Kitchen trainees and alumni.
- Update trainee and alumni database and support implementing program performance measurement systems.
- Seek opportunities for collaboration between Harvest Kitchen trainees and outside organization programs and services.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must have high school diploma/GED; college degree preferred but not required.
- Must commit to a full 45 week AmeriCorps service term from January 2020 to October 2020.
- Must be willing to work a flexible part-time 25 hours per week, with a schedule ranging from 7am-8pm.
- Must be willing to work occasional nights and weekends, as needed. Schedules are determined by program needs and will be worked out with supervisor.
- Must be able to work well in a diverse environment.
- Must be able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or Permanent Resident and be able to provide documentation of citizenship.
- Must be willing to undergo a National Criminal History Background Check.
- Must have a strong desire to work with underserved youth in the care of RI DCYF.
- Experience with youth/youth development is preferred.
- Experience in the culinary industry is preferred but not required.
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal) a must.
- Must have great attention to detail
- Must be a self-starter, with the ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude.
- Must be able to collaborate and work as part of a team.
- Must have excellent time-management skills.
- Ability to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment.
- Must be 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.
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 living allowance and end of service education award.
Organizational Info
Begun in 2004 as a student thesis project at Brown University, Farm Fresh RI has grown briskly to capture the public interest in locally grown food and translate it into sales for RI farmers and producers. 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 RI operates a wide range of marketplace programs (retail, wholesale, processing) that engage and connect tens of thousands of RI, MA and CT eaters with thousands of RI, MA and CT farmers.
Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health and quality of life of RI farmers and eaters.
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.
AmeriCorps Member Benefits
- $7000 Living Stipend, divided and paid weekly (est $156.00)
- $3097.50 Segal Education Award (upon completion of 900 hours of service)
- Student Loan Forbearance
- Mileage Reimbursement
- Professional Development opportunities
To Apply
Fill out this online application. Applications are due December 14, 2019.