Company description Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) is a nonprofit organization, located in Newport, Vermont, whose mission is to restore and strengthen local food systems in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont by promoting positive economic and educational relationships among schools, farms, and communities. We create healthy communities by working across the food system with capacity building, resource development, and technical assistance through GMFTS school gardens, Farm to School Programs, food hub, food truck, and statewide marketing campaign. GMFTS six full-time staff and six AmeriCorps members partner with each community we serve to develop a comprehensive approach to improving access to healthy food and to build a network of individuals, schools, farms, businesses, and organizations rebuilding their local food systems and creating healthy communities. Over the last nine years, we’ve made extraordinary progress towards achieving our vision. GMFTS has grown from a single school garden program to a nonprofit organization providing comprehensive programming across the Northeast Kingdom. GMFTS is making healthy food accessible and affordable to more Vermonters than ever before. You can find more at our website, www.gmfts.org. Job description

Start Date: August 14, 2017 2-week orientation
                 September 1, 2017 AmeriCorps term begins

This position is part of the Lyndon Economic opportunity AmeriCorps Program (LEAP). LEAP is a national service program that places AmeriCorps members with non-profit organizations throughout the NEK of Vermont to support those organizations in expanding their services that many communities rely on. LEAP supports their members in their path to educational and career attainment through direct service, on-going trainings, and professional development opportunities offered during the service year. Position dependent upon LEAP federal funding.

 

The primary responsibilities of the AmeriCorps Farm-to-School Coordinator will be to develop, grow, present, and evaluate GMFTS’ Farm-to-School Programs and provide general operational and administrative support. This is a full-time year-long AmeriCorps position. The Farm-to-School Coordinator reports to the Farm to School Program Manager.

 

The Farm-to-School Coordinator will:

• Develop and maintain relationships with GMFTS partners
• Serve as the primary contact for 3-5 schools
• Create lesson plans for programming and maintain educational materials
• Deliver GMFTS educational programs and events including taste tests, field trips, workshops and special events
• Plant, maintain, and harvest school gardens
• Recruit and train community volunteers
• Design outreach and publicity materials
• Use database to collect, analyze, and report data for program evaluation
• Photo document activities and download in a timely manner
• Work closely with staff, parents, food service directors, and farmers
• Facilitate Farm-to-School Committee meetings
• Serve as an independent member of a team of Coordinators
• Plan, organize, and attend community and organizational events

Qualifications

• Be a US citizen
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of local food systems and sustainable agriculture
• Strong interest in working with children, teaching (formal or non-formal) experience required
• Some knowledge of gardening and vegetable production needed
• Excellent public speaking, writing skills, and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly growing non-profit environment
• Willing to undergo an National Service Criminal History Check
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Compensation: AmeriCorps Members who complete their term of service in a full-time position will receive:

• A biweekly stipend totaling $12,630 for the year
• Mileage reimbursement
• Health insurance, if not covered under another policy
• Child care, if necessary
• Student loan forbearance
• A $5,775 Education Award for past or future education
• Monthly SNAP benefits
• Subsidized housing
• Career mentoring, professional development, and strong work experience

Compensation this position is : salaried Application instructions DeadlineMarch 31, 2017