OXBOW’S MISSION

Our mission is to inspire people to eat healthy, sustainably grown food and to steward our natural resources for future generations.

WHAT WE DO

The Center is located on 230 acres of forest and grassland bordered by Western Washington’s Snoqualmie River. We use this mixed landscape to:

Produce food. We cultivate 13 acres of mixed vegetable crops on 30 acres of tillable land using agro-ecological principles, and we engage in research to inform conservation agriculture practices.

Grow native plants. We operate a native plant nursery that produces plants for habitat restoration projects, educational gardens, and urban landscapes, and conducts research on native plant propagation using sustainable growing methods.

Connect children to nature. We offer environmental education programs for children pre-K thru high school to build their comfort in the outdoors and provide them with opportunities to learn about the links between agriculture, conservation, and the environment.

Restore and sustain habitat. We carry out conservation projects and research to learn how humans can use land to our benefit while protecting biodiversity.

OXBOW’S MISSION

Our mission is to inspire people to eat healthy, sustainably grown food and to steward our natural resources for future generations.

WHAT WE DO

The Center is located on 230 acres of forest and grassland bordered by Western Washington’s Snoqualmie River. We use this mixed landscape to:

Produce food. We cultivate 30 acres of mixed vegetable crops using agro-ecological principles and engage in research to inform conservation agriculture practices.

Grow native plants. We operate a native plant nursery that produces plants for habitat restoration projects, educational gardens, and urban landscapes, and conducts research on native plant propagation using sustainable growing methods.

Connect children to nature. We offer environmental education programs for children pre-K thru high school to build their comfort in the outdoors and provide them with opportunities to learn about the links between agriculture, conservation, and the environment.

Restore and sustain habitat. We carry out conservation projects and research to learn how humans can use land to our benefit while protecting biodiversity.

POSITION OVERVIEW

For the second year in a row, Oxbow is partnering with other organizations across Washington state to connect kids to healthy food from seed-to-table through growing, preparing, and eating healthy food. We are recruiting a team of 20 AmeriCorps service members for a service term that runs from 9/1/2019 to 7/15/2020. If you are interested in serving as a Food Educator at Oxbow or one of our partner sites, apply thru Oxbow or Common Threads, please make sure to indicate which site(s) you’re interested in.

You may learn more about our partner site organizations and their service opportunities sites by contacting them directly, thru their websites:

• Common Threads Farm, (our organizational “host”) attn. Laura Plaut
• Concrete Farm to School, attn. Rachel Muia
• Coupeville Farm to School, attn. Zvi Bar-Chaim
• Lower Columbia School Gardens, attn. Ian Thompson

Food Educators are the “boots on the ground” that make it possible to connect kids to healthy food from seed to table.

RESPONSIBILITIES

At Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center, the Food Educator Corps Member will:

• Lead Fall, Spring, and Summer Farm Adventures Field Trips for elementary school students (exploring seasons, plant parts, plant lifecycles, interdependence, and natural processes such as decomposition)
• Lead Winter In-Class lessons for elementary students on EE and farm-related science subjects (such as: worms and decomposition, seeds, pollination, bird adaptations, and stormwater)
• Work with partner elementary school to support outdoor classroom care and garden-based EE lessons
• Develop education programming
• Deliver environmental/farm education programs to all age groups at weekend Kids’ Farm tours, seasonal festivals and special events
• Contribute to spring Kids’ Farm planting, maintenance, and upkeep
• Ensure Oxbow Education and Food Educator Mega Team objectives, strategies and messages are aligned with and supportive of Oxbow’s mission and strategic plan
• Meeting AmeriCorps’ reporting and evaluation requirements
• Ability to communicate and work with all departments at Oxbow
• Attending and tabling special events on some nights and weekends
• Represent Oxbow in a positive, professional manner, engaging with and educating visitors about Oxbow’s mission and programs

QUALIFICATIONS

• Some college or equivalent experience in the fields of education, environmental studies, sustainability, food systems, or agriculture
• Experience working with children, especially early learners, and delivering Environmental Education programming
• Experience farming or gardening and/or a strong desire to learn
• Comfortable speaking in front of large groups
• Consistent attention to detail
• Ability to take direction, ask for help/clarity when necessary, and accept constructive feedback on work and technique
• Clear, consistent communication
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Positive leadership skills
• Ability to perform work in inclement weather, standing, sitting, bending over or kneeling, to lift heavy & awkward objects, up to 50 lbs., and to perform physical work such as digging and planting

• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Flexible, creative, and able to perform well in diverse conditions and under pressure and be ready for curve balls from kids and adults

Additional desired qualities include: environmentally conscious, detail oriented, self-motivated, energetic, and professional.

The Oxbow Education  is part of a larger non-profit organization. A commitment to Oxbow’s overall mission and working as part of a team is critical.

Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TERM OF SERVICE

September 1, 2019 to July 15, 2020

COMPENSATION

AmeriCorps pays a total living allowance of $15,000 divided into an 11.5-month term. Plus, an End-of-Service Award of $6,095, provided by National Service Trust, upon successful completion of service term commitment and a minimum of 1,700 hours of service.

Service members are also eligible for student loan forbearance (on qualifying loans), Subsidized childcare provided by GAP Solutions Inc. (if qualified and all parties complete required documents), and Health insurance (member only and only if no other health insurance coverage)