[TheUWfarm] VISTA Position - Seattle Community Farm Project

Hi UW Farmers,

Here is a great position with the new Seattle Community Farm in the Rainier Valley. Recent grads and job seekers, read on below and contact Benjamin with questions.

Cheers,

Eva

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Bates-Benetua, Michelle" <michelleb@solid-ground.org>

Date: August 16, 2010 1:58:49 PM PDT

To: 

Subject: VISTA Position -Community Farm Project

Hello Everyone.

 

Though there is no replacing Jamie and Leslie, Rotary First Harvest is recruiting for a VISTA volunteer to work with us at the Community Farm November 2010-2011.  The position is attached and pasted below. Please forward to folks you know might be interested and post the attach description. They are accepting applications through August 30^th.  All inquiries should go to Benjamin@firstharvest.org

 

 

Thank you,

Michelle

 

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION: AmeriCorps*VISTA Farm Harvest Coordinator

This is a great opportunity to work in collaboration with Solid Ground, Rotary First Harvest, and

local community groups to develop a new community farm in the Rainier Valley neighborhood of

Seattle. This position will strengthen urban gleaning and spearhead increased volunteer efforts for

local food production and food bank support in Seattle.

This position will build the volunteer capacity for local gleaning projects and produce donations for

Seattle area food banks and meal programs. If you are a highly organized, self-directed person with

strong communication skills and are passionate about building community and working to address

issues of hunger, Harvest Against Hunger has an AmeriCorps*VISTA position for you! Help

increase capacity and inspire more people to volunteer to feed the hungry.

Harvest Against Hunger, a program of Rotary First Harvest, works to connect farms/gardens with

their local food banks by motivating volunteer support. In 2009 HAH gathered one million pounds of

food that would have otherwise gone to waste. www.firstharvest.org/hah

Solid Ground is one of the largest and most creative human service agencies in the Seattle region.

Created over 30 years ago, Solid Ground is dedicated to: developing and providing creative and

effective responses to our community's needs; offering quality human services in a manner that

promotes dignity; advocating for policies and initiatives that give all people equal opportunities and

resources; undoing institutional racism; and supporting the efforts of others who share our vision.

Each year, Solid Ground provides shelter, food, counseling and other basic services for over 25,000

people in need and is at the forefront of addressing hunger and nutrition issues among low-income

families throughout Seattle and King County.

Lettuce Link, a program Solid Ground program, is an innovative food and gardening program that

works with a large volunteer network to create access to fresh, nutritious and organic produce, seeds,

and gardening information for low-income families in Seattle and to educate the community about

food security and sustainable food production. Lettuce Link has been coordinating Seattle's

Community Fruit Tree Harvest and Grow a Row efforts yet with increasing interest and demand new

systems and approaches need to be developed in order to provide a sustainable response.

www.solid-ground.org

Title: AmeriCorps*VISTA Farm Harvest Coordinator

Status: Stipend Volunteer Position

Reports to: Lettuce Link Program Manager

Commitment: 12 months, 40 hrs per week beginning November 9, 2010

Training: Attendance at two AmeriCorps*VISTA training sessions is required

Stipend: $11,724 Living allowance; plus $5,350 Education Award and Benefits

Harvest Against Hunger

VISTA Project

Application Process: Please send your resume and a cover letter that explains your interest and fit

for the position to- Benjamin@firstharvest.org

Application Due Date: August 30, 2010

This position is offered through the AmeriCorps*VISTA program, details are outlined on the

AmeriCorps website. http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp

CORE RESPONSIBILITES: Work in collaboration with host site supervisor at Solid Ground and

with Harvest Against Hunger program director, and local community groups to develop a new

community farm in the Rainier Valley neighborhood of Seattle. This includes developing systems,

support for and events that directly engage community members to participate at the farm. The

VISTA will assist with general farming including, planting, weeding, harvesting, crop rotation,

recording of farm activities, tracking the varieties and time to harvest and helping to create raised

beds, worm bins, trellises, signs, gates, and other small construction projects. Additionally, the

VISTA will help promote food security and backyard gardening through outreach events, garden

education, and other projects. Specific responsibilities might include:

Volunteer Recruitment:

• Research recruitment strategies and develop recruitment plan that involves multi-cultural and

multi-lingual community members and recipients of produce

• Develop messaging materials and strategy for neighborhood blog postings

• Develop volunteer leadership opportunities

• Meet with community leaders and organizations to raise awareness of program

• Represent Lettuce Link program at community events

• Write program blog posts, attend events, table and coordinate volunteers to help promote the

farm goals

Community Outreach:

• Attend community meetings and events to make new community connections

• Coordinate with local service providers and schools to develop educational opportunities for

elementary school aged children at the farm.

• Work with community volunteers and donors to increase funding and in-kind donations to

promote the sustainability of the program.

Program Coordination and Sustainability:

• Develop participant tracking mechanism

• Create and implement a work-share model

• Train, engage and coordinate volunteers on ongoing basis

• Coordinate volunteers around community building and farming activities.

• Recognize and thank donors and volunteers, and strategize for participant retention

• Document procedures, networking, volunteer hours and results

• Work with and expand upon collaborative community/organizational relationships

• Develop strategies and plan to maintain and evaluate the effectiveness of the farm

General Skills and Qualifications:

A combination of education, volunteer, and work experience that demonstrates ability to perform

position duties; Effective communication and organizational skills; Successful experience growing

food; Ability to work as a team and practice effective relationship-building techniques; Ability to

multi-task and work under pressure; Ability to work with people from various cultures, ethnicities

and races as well as a commitment to challenge institutional racism; Knowledge of basic computer

programs such as Word, Excel, and Outlook as well as internet research skills; Ability to work

outdoors in all weather.

All employees working at Solid Ground have the responsibility for developing and safekeeping a

workplace that values and supports a culturally diverse work environment. Openness to new ideas

and ways, compassion, flexibility, and respect are valued and encouraged attributes for our

employees. We believe that a multi-cultural, multi-racial workforce is critical to our mission of

creating "a just and caring community, free from poverty, prejudice and neglect." As our workforce

evolves to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, our agency and workplace will be

enriched and strengthened.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Interest in and ability to work with people from a variety of racial, cultural and economic

backgrounds, with various lifestyles, sexual orientations, and of all ages;

• Knowledge and/or experience with the nonprofit community

• Background working with civic and/or volunteer organizations

• Highly organized and self-directed

• Strong interpersonal skills and public speaking ability

• Ability to work independently, but in collaboration with several other groups

• Ability to juggle many different projects simultaneously, and prioritize as needed

• Commitment to diversity, innovation and community-building

• Ability to work weekends and occasional evenings during the harvest season (with time off in

exchange)

• Ability to work in an office as well as an outdoor environment

• Comfort with web based social networking technology

• Ability to speak Vietnamese, or Amharic, or Somali, or Tigrinya, or Oromo or Chinese would

be a plus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident

• At least 18 years of age

• Ability to commit to working 12 months beginning in November 2010

• Computer competency, especially using Excel, email, and internet

• College degree, or High School Diploma (or equivalent)

• Member may not hold additional jobs

• Access to reliable transportation, valid driver's license, vehicle insurance that meets

Washington State's minimum guidelines and the ability and willingness to travel throughout

Seattle, mileage reimbursement is provided at standard rate

STIPEND & BENEFITS:

• A living allowance of $11,724 distributed in equal installments twice monthly

• Basic health insurance (VISTA member only, no dependents)

• Loan forbearance for federal student loans

• A $5,350 educational award upon completion of your service term (or $1,200 cash stipend)

• Childcare assistance (available for those who qualify)

• The opportunity to work for an innovative, vital and demanding organization

• Experience in project management, marketing, and leadership

• Exposure to dozens of nonprofits and community partners

• Fresh vegetables during the growing season

 

Michelle Bates-Benetua, Lettuce Link Program Manager
206-694-6754

http://lettucelink.blogspot.com/

http://www.solid-ground.org/Programs/Nutrition/Lettuce

 

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