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This job expired on December 11, 2019

Student Engagement Specialist Taproot Farm & Education Center

  • Date Posted October 12, 2019
  • Location Lancaster, NH
  • Category Agriculture / Education
  • Job type Full-Time
Company description
Taproot’s purpose is to nurture an empathetic world that understands the integrated relationship between healthy food and a healthy environment and appreciates a whole larger than ourselves. Our programs and services fall within three distinct but holistically integrated realms: Food & Agriculture, Education, and Ecological & Community Stewardship. While Taproot’s work is varied, each of its programs stems from the central principle that healthy food, a healthy environment, and a healthy community are intimately linked and mutually supportive. With this principle in mind, Taproot’s programs support three impact areas: economic viability, restorative food systems, and environmental education. Taproot’s programs include North Country Gleaners, the Lancaster Community Garden, the Root Seller Marketplace and our Farm, Food, and Forest Education Program.
Job description Taproot is seeking two AmeriCorps Student Engagement Specialists to join our team!

Our Farm, Food, & Forest program nurtures children’s and adults’ relationships with the environment through after school programs, garden education, cooking classes, a nature-based summer camp, and more. With a focus on food systems and the environment, our AmeriCorps Environmental Educators will engage children, youth, and adults by implementing a variety of activities in diverse settings. Examples of programs include overseeing and maintaining school gardens in Lancaster, NH, and Lunenburg, VT, and working with classroom teachers to implement gardening and nutrition lessons. Planning and leading groups of children between the ages of 6-14 in nature and gardening activities during our After School programs, Vacation and Summer Camps. Planning and implementing education programs and working with gardeners in the Lancaster Community Garden. Members will also work with local high school students through our monthly Environmental Leadership Mentoring program that will engage them in current environmental issues with relation to food systems, climate change, social, and environmental justice. Finally, our members will assist our Gleaning Coordinator to work with food insecure individuals and families by presenting food and nutrition programs that will include tastings and cooking demos.

Activities will include, but are not limited to:

Youth Leadership Mentoring:
  • Serve as a mentor and act as a positive role model for at-risk youth
  • Develop relationships and resources within the community
  • Connect students with intensive services such as mentoring, academic support, service learning, and/or community engagement projects
  • Create a structure for extended learning opportunities and expanded career awareness
  • Participate in a variety of service projects within the community
  • Serve alongside and recruit volunteers for various projects

Field-Based Environmental Education:
  • Plant, maintain, and harvest the education plot at the Lancaster Community Garden and school gardens
  • Work with Lancaster Community gardeners and develop and offer public gardening workshops
  • Develop Interpretive Education materials and table talks for the Root Seller Marketplace
  • Serve closely with school faculty and food service directors to implement garden, nutrition, and cooking lessons
  • Develop and implement nature and gardening after school programs in conjunction with community partners where appropriate
  • Lead groups of 6-14 year-old campers during our Vacation, Summer Day Camp, and week-long Explorers Camp
  • Develop and implement our Environmental Leadership Mentoring (ELM) program for high school students, which will engage them with environmental leaders and current environmental issues with relation to food systems, climate change, social, and environmental justice on a monthly basis, culminating with a 5-day, 4-night intensive
  • Create and implement lesson plans and maintain educational materials that align with Taproot’s philosophy of education
  • Serve with the Gleaning Coordinator to facilitate taste tests and workshops for youth and adults
  • Highlight education activities on social media and the weekly newsletter
  • Maintain relationships with Education and community partners

Desired Qualifications:
  • Self-motivated with a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and independence
  • Ability to clearly and concisely communicate orally and in writing
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Effective public speaker
  • Bachelor's degree or 2 years exp. preferred, HS grad/HISET required
  • Dedication to the mission of AmeriCorps
  • Ability to use various types of technology (i.e. word processing, Microsoft Office Suite, GoToMeeting, on-line reporting system)
  • Possess a strong sense of stewardship and knowledge of the natural environment
  • Possess knowledge of and passion for local food systems
  • Demonstrate passion for inspiring healthful eating and for promoting local, sustainable agriculture
  • Must have experience working in an organic garden or possess a willingness to learn
  • Must have a comfort level and demonstrate experience teaching (formal or non-formal) and leading groups in an outdoor, environmental education setting working with participants ranging from children to adults, (an interest in Waldorf education is a plus but not required)
  • Experience leading overnight camping trips with teens
  • Possess a positive attitude, high energy, and exhibit patience
  • Ability to lift 50 pounds
  • Have the ability to drive using one’s own transportation for work purposes
  • Attend and participate in required trainings and events

Job Duration:
Full-time members serve 1700 hours over 11 months

Compensation and Benefits Information:
  • $13,992 evenly divided over the course of the 11-month term
  • Free health insurance coverage from the first day of service to the last day of the last month of service
  • $6,095 education award (upon successful completion of term) to apply to previous federal student loans or continuing education costs at a qualifying Title IV institution
  • Student loan forbearance and interest repayment through AmeriCorps
  • Child care reimbursement for eligible members
  • SNAP recipients receive 50% off fresh fruits and veggies at the Root Seller
  • Garden plot at the Lancaster Community Garden
  • Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification
  • Shared, subsidized housing is available
This position is a part of Goodwill NNE's Granite State Service Corps program, which places AmeriCorps members with nonprofits to support youth that have been impacted by child abuse and/or the foster care system.  Members take a “whole child” approach, implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices to mentor students.  The position is currently open, but we are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Compensation this position is : salaried Application instructions
This job expired on December 11, 2019
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