Company description

North Coast Opportunities, Inc. (NCO) is the Community Action Agency that serves Lake and Mendocino Counties, as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, and Solano Counties. NCO was established in 1968 as part of President Johnson's War on Poverty, with the mission of assisting low-income and disadvantaged people to become self-reliant. NCO provides a safety net of emergency assistance, employment, and training services for low-income individuals and families.

The Gardens Project of North Coast Opportunities seeks to relieve hunger and inadequate nutrition throughout Mendocino and Lake Counties by creating access to community-based food production and local, nutritious food. Over the last decade we have worked with local government and private landowners to lease underutilized land around low-income neighborhoods for the creation of 45 new community gardens. Much of our current work focuses on supporting existing gardens and gardeners through leadership training, food production workshops, advocacy and organizational support.

Check out our websites and Facebook page for more information:
www.gardensproject.org
www.ncoinc.org/programs/gardens-project/ www.facebook.com/ncogardensproject

Job description

The NCO Gardens Project has two open Americorps VISTA positions! One will be based out of our Lake County office and the other will be based out of our Mendocino County office.

You will work with an existing network of community gardens to enhance sustainability and longevity of the gardens. You will have the ability to assist in new garden development as well. You’ll facilitate trainings to empower community gardeners in effective leadership. You’ll have the opportunity to improve communication with community garden managers, the public, and volunteers. You will plan and coordinate food production and nutrition education workshops for community gardeners and SNAP eligible populations and other interested community members. You will represent the NCO Gardens Project in a variety of settings around Mendocino and Lake Counties, including presentations to potential donors, community organizations, family resource centers, local governments, SNAP-eligible populations, and other nonprofits. You will also plan and conduct outreach and marketing to promote community gardens, food and nutrition workshops, through social and traditional media. Finally, the VISTAs will be responsible for planning and executing a fundraising campaign.

Term: February 2018 - February 2019

Deadline to Apply: November 27 2017

Specific Requirements:

• Must be able to commit to entire service term
• College Degree Required
• Ideal candidate will have experience in community organizing and/or agriculture and nutrition education
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and social media platforms and other computer programs as needed
• Must enjoy working with people of diverse backgrounds
• Flexibility to work some nights and weekends
• Ability to do some physical work preferred
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Must have valid driver's license and reliable transportation with auto insurance.

Compensation

this position is: stipend / non-monetary compensation

Application instructions

Deadline

November 27, 2017