The Dirt

Overview

Sustainable Food Center (SFC) cultivates a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. SFC’s Grow Local program offers the resources and education to enable children and adults in Central Texas to develop skills in organic food production, as well as an understanding of the importance of local food production for the health and well-being of themselves, their families and community, and the environment. SFC’s Sprouting Healthy Kids project is a farm-to-school and food systems education initiative that includes incorporation of locally grown fresh foods into school cafeterias, plus in-class and after-school gardening and cooking educational activities. We are looking for a dynamic, bilingual, relational individual to administer SFC’s train-the trainer Citizen Gardener gardening and volunteer program, and to organize community members in schools and neighborhoods for SFC’s Sprouting Healthy Kids middle school partners.

Position Description

The Education Coordinator & Community Health Organizer AmeriCorps*VISTA will oversee administration of Citizen Gardener classes and teacher trainings, as well as assist with administration of other Grow Local classes and trainings. Assistance will also be provided for Grow Local’s Spread the Harvest gardening and food-sharing program. The VISTA will also work through underserved middle schools in Austin to develop, support, and facilitate school wellness teams consisting of parents, teachers, and community leaders, and will connect these wellness teams to SFC’s Sprouting Healthy Kids programs and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate scheduling and logistics of Citizen Gardener classes and teacher trainings
• Prepare teacher materials and carry out Citizen Gardener class follow-up activities
• Oversee and track Citizen Gardener volunteer hours
• Assist with planning and logistics of Citizen Gardener graduation events
• Conduct outreach, material preparation, and follow-up for other Grow Local classes
• Manage Spread the Harvest participant database & assist with planning of resource give-away events
• Translate Grow Local class materials into Spanish as needed
• Assist middle school wellness teams with growing their stakeholder participation
• Provide support to wellness teams by assisting with school and community programming activities and connecting to SFC resources

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts or Sciences or appropriate experience
• MUST be bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and Spanish
• Ability to relate to and connect with individuals and groups in low-income communities
• Must have community organizing skills and a familiarity with school settings
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Must be organized and detail oriented
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office (proficiency in Adobe InDesign & web application is a plus)
• Knowledge and experience with food gardening, farm-to-school, and healthy cooking preferred
• Ability to work a flexible schedule
• Reliable transportation

Compensation

Sustainable Food Center is an equal opportunity employer; women and people of color are encouraged to apply. This is a full-time (40 hours per week), one-year position. Serving as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, you are eligible for the following: living allowance of $11,232 per year, health insurance, childcare assistance, professional development opportunities, student loan deferment, and, upon completion of the program, a choice of a $4,725 education award or a $1,200 cash stipend.

Application Instructions

To apply, email resume, cover letter, three references, and a Spanish/English writing sample (1 page) to Sari Albornoz, Grow Local Co-Director, at sari at sustainablefoodcenter dot org. Interested applicants MUST also apply through AmeriCorps at https://my.americorps.gov/.

No phone calls, por favor.

Resumes accepted until May 25, 2012. Position begins July 17, 2012.

To learn more about Sustainable Food Center, go to: www.sustainablefoodcenter.org. To learn more about VISTA, go to www.americorps.org/about/programs/vista.asp.