Americorps Assistant Grower and Volunteer Lead

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Youth Garden Project (YGP) is a non-profit organization located in the beautiful red rock country of Moab, Utah. YGP's mission is to cultivate healthy children, families, and community through educational programs and connecting people with food from seed to table. The garden is located on 1.5 acres adjacent to Grand County High School and Mill Creek, includes two outdoor classroom spaces, a chicken coop, a historic home (which serves as our office), a commercial kitchen, a rabbit enclosure, three greenhouses, over 75 garden beds, and a fruit tree orchard. YGP grows over 6,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables per year and plays a pivotal role in Grand County's community food system.

POSITION OVERVIEW

In collaboration with the Utah Conservation Corps (UCC), the Moab Youth Garden Project (YGP) is recruiting for an AmeriCorps Individual Placement position. The AmeriCorps Assistant Grower & Volunteer Lead will assist YGP’s Farm Manager in day-to-day operations of the farm and greenhouse facilities. Working alongside YGP’s farm manager, this member will learn how to effectively lead volunteer crews with farm duties such as planting, weeding, and harvesting. This position will provide an introduction to many of the basics of produce farming, experience in leading volunteers of all ages, and to the challenges of organic desert farming with an emphasis on sustainability. The work of the Assistant Grower and Volunteer Lead will directly contribute to community food security and provide opportunities for over 1,000 Utah kids to gain hands-on, garden-based education experiences throughout their term. The position will be supervised by the Farm Manager and serve approximately 36 hours per week. The term of service will run approximately from April through October 2024.

PRIMARY DUTIES (DIRECT SERVICES)

• Develop a data tracking plan and collect and report AmeriCorps impact data timely and accurately.
• The Assistant Grower and Volunteer Lead AmeriCorps member will support the Youth Garden Project's production efforts.
• Harvesting for Community Supported Agriculture shareholders, food pantry donations, wholesale orders, and on-site programming.
• Processing and preservation of produce.
• Pruning, fertilizing, and trellising vegetable.
• Seeding and transplanting.
• Weeding and organic pest management.
• Drip irrigation set-up and maintenance.
• Compost production.
• Caring for animals (chickens, rabbits, and fish).
• Working alongside individual volunteers and volunteer groups to help educate them on organic gardening and sustainability practices.
• Support bi-weekly "Weed 'n' Feed" evening volunteer events.
• Support the development and facilitation of service-learning curriculum for volunteer groups.
• Lead garden-based activities for youth day camps.
• Support four community events, including the spring plant sale, two farm-to-table events and an annual harvest festival.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

(20% maximum time served can be member development and training)

• Data collection, validation, and report training.
• Organic gardening standards for zone 7b.
• Greenhouse management.
• Water conservation best practices.
• Good Agricultural Practices for safe distribution and consumption of fresh foods.
• Volunteer engagement.
• CPR & First Aid certification.
• Utah Food Handler certification.
• Garden-based learning principles for youth & community members.
• Gardening equipment/power tool use and maintenance.
• Google Workspace tools.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

AmeriCorps Requirements (all below required):

• Be a United States citizen, U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States;
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Eligible to serve in an AmeriCorps State/National term. Please note that AmeriCorps rules limit members to a maximum of four AmeriCorps terms in a program such as UCC. AmeriCorps also limits the number of education awards an individual may earn. This rule states that "although an individual can serve more than two terms, a person cannot earn more than the aggregate value of two, full-time education awards."
• It is a requirement to obtain a high school diploma or GED before one is eligible to use the Education Award.
• Must submit to and pass a background check. Must be clear of any record on the National Sex Offender Public Registry. Must have a criminal record clear of any conviction(s) for murder.
• Schedules that include a 30-minute lunch break does NOT count toward term of service hours.

Position Specific Requirements:

• A positive and professional manner with diverse populations.
• Strong interest in working at an educational garden and furthering the mission of the Youth Garden Project.
• Ability to communicate effectively and positively with staff, children, and community members.
• Ability to work in summer temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel for extended periods of time; ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Basic knowledge of plants and gardening preferred, but not required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

These are 900 hr. AmeriCorps positions that come with the following benefits:

• $10,503.00 total living allowance (taxable; divided and paid in even bimonthly (TWICE per month) disbursements throughout the term of service).
• $3,447.50 education award (available to members upon successful completion of service term hours AND dates).
• Federal, student loan forbearance and, workers compensation for all members. More information can be found here.
• Access to fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden when available.

HOW TO APPLY

Research shows that candidates from underrepresented populations often don’t apply for positions if they don’t meet all the position qualifications and skillsets. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested!

Please click "Apply" below to email the following with “AmeriCorps Assistant Grower & Volunteer Lead application” in the subject line.

• Cover letter
• Resume
• List of 3 professional references (phone and email)

Preference will be given to complete applications received by 02/16/2024.

About the Utah Conservation Corps

The Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) is an AmeriCorps program dedicated to developing the conservation leaders of tomorrow. We’re a non-residential AmeriCorps program composed of
AmeriCorps members, staff, and partners dedicated to service to our community, the environment, and regions requiring disaster response efforts.

Additionally, as an organization, we seek to provide a more welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds and experience levels to ensure a healthy, vibrant, innovative, and sustainable corps. The UCC is committed to an inclusive culture of community and service and to recognizing and addressing our shortcomings. Our goal is to help our members become the conservation leaders of tomorrow.

UCC’s Zero Tolerance Policies

The following behaviors will result in immediate termination. At no time may the UCC
AmeriCorps member:

• Engage in activities that pose a significant safety risk to others or physically or emotionally damage members of the program or community, such as harassment, hostile work environment, or bullying;
• Possess, consume, or be under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol during the performance of service activities or while living and working at the UCC project site, campsite, or in UCC vehicles (which includes showing up to work hungover); and
• Fail to notify the UCC of a criminal arrest or conviction during their term of service.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

As part of Utah State University, a land grant institution, UCC acknowledges Utah State
University campuses and centers reside and operate on the territories of the eight tribes of Utah, who have been living, working, and residing on this land from time immemorial. These tribes are the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Indians, Navajo Nation, Ute Indian Tribe, Northwestern Band of Shoshone, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, and White Mesa Band of the Ute Mountain Ute. Along with USU, we acknowledge these lands carry the stories of these Nations and their struggles for survival and identity. We recognize Elders past and present as people who have cared for, and continue to care for, the land. In offering this land acknowledgment, we affirm Indigenous self-governance history, experiences, and resiliency of the Native people who are still here today.