Job Details

Food Education Service Member

Job Description:

Learn more about FoodCorps and apply HERE.

Food Education Service Member; Van Buren What You’ll Do Our AmeriCorps members work alongside educators to provide kids in K-5 schools in Arkansas with food education and culturally affirming experiences with food that celebrate and nurture the whole child. Although they do this in a variety of ways depending on local partner goals, below are the foundational activities that all Food Education members complete: Food Education service members, work alongside educators to provide kids with food education and culturally affirming experiences with food in the classroom and gardens. Serving as an AmeriCorps member with FoodCorps is a full-time (40 hours per week) commitment. Your role in public service is not an internship, nor is it a flexible volunteer opportunity. Public service with FoodCorps is a commitment to serving people and communities, and we expect you to take seriously. Your attendance and willingness to grow in your role is crucial to the success of our program goals ensure that every child in Arkansas has access to nourishing food in schools. The REQUIRED Basics of the Service Member position 

• 11 month commitment, August 2024 to July 2025, of in-person, on-site, direct service
• Completion of 1,700 hours of service by contract end (36-40 hours per week Aug-July)
• Working hours are between 7:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday, with some added flexibility to accrue hours on evenings and weekends
• In-person and virtual training (regional and in-state), professional development (all costs for travel and training provided by FoodCorps)

Essential Functions of the Service Member position

• Teach hands-on food education to elementary school aged students in classrooms and gardens
• Lead tastings, cooking demos, taste tests to nourish student’s sense of excitement about eating fruits and vegetables and trying new foods
• Plan, plant, maintain, harvest school garden
• Grow nourishing food with students, teachers, and families
• Create dynamic educational experiences where kids can get their hands dirty while learning about food
• Build school-wide momentum around nourishing food
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with teachers, families, and school administrators
• Participate in FoodCorps training around teaching, gardening, family engagement, and anti-racism in service
• Complete FoodCorps reporting and evaluation to help us measure local and national impact and improve programming

Non-Essential Functions

• Publicize FoodCorps-related projects and success stories through press engagements, blog writing, social media posts, newsletters, etc.
• Collaborate with community partners to raise money to support local FoodCorps-related projects (when allowable).

What You’ll Gain • A living stipend for Service Members, paid bi-weekly, up to $33,000 (serving full term, full time, Aug-July) • AmeriCorps Segal Education Award, upon successful completion of your term of service and 1700 hours, valued over $7K • Health insurance • Partial childcare reimbursement, if you qualify • Student loan forbearance, if you qualify • Training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities The Details In order to successfully complete your term of service, you must, at a minimum, serve 1,700 allowable hours. The service duration is August 7, 2023 – July 5, 2024. FoodCorps service members report to the designated supervisor at their service site. FoodCorps state and national staff provide additional guidance and oversight. Service members are expected to abide by rules of conduct set forth in their member contract and will be evaluated for performance twice during the term: at the midpoint and end of service. Performance is evaluated based on progress toward achieving goals set forth in your unique service plan as well as general professional conduct in the service environment. Service members who break the rules of conduct may be suspended and/or terminated at any time. FoodCorps is a proud member of the AmeriCorps network. All FoodCorps service members are full-time AmeriCorps members and are therefore bound by AmeriCorps rules and regulations, including abiding by AmeriCorps prohibited activities and ensuring that volunteers abide by prohibited activities, which can be found in your member contract and your FoodCorps Service Member Handbook. See www.americorps.gov for more information about AmeriCorps service. All FoodCorps service members must pass a three-part background check to be eligible for service, including clearing the National Sex Offender Public Registry, state background checks in your state of service and residence at time of application, and an FBI criminal history check (fingerprint-based). This position includes access to vulnerable populations (individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and/or youth). To successfully perform their duties, service members must be able to stand for extended periods of time to teach; supervise groups of children in- and outdoors; perform manual labor in the school garden, including digging, getting up and down, lifting garden equipment; aid children in the garden; coordinate and organize meetings; recruit and manage volunteers; and travel to and from National Orientation and Gatherings as required. Your position is unique to AmeriCorps and does not displace organization staff or volunteers. FoodCorps is an equal opportunity organization and we respect diversity. FoodCorps does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local laws, regulations or ordinances. FoodCorps provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees as required by law. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process. All service positions at FoodCorps are at-will. Service positions, though designed to last for one year, are not guaranteed for a set period of time. Both service members and FoodCorps have the right to terminate the position at any time. FoodCorps reserves the right to conduct employment, education, and background checks upon which your position may be contingent.

Find more information and apply HERE.

Skills Needed:

Experience Requirements: