Careers

Description:

About EarthCorps

ABOUT EARTHCORPS:

EarthCorps (EC) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization with a mission of developing leaders to strengthen community and restore the health of our environment. EC’s Corps Program is an intensive year-long training program that unites young adults (ages 18-25) from across the United States to learn skills in community building, habitat restoration, and leadership. EC program participants are part of a group of emerging environmental leaders committed to teamwork, service, and personal growth. As an organization, EarthCorps is historically white led and is currently working toward racial equity in our systems and structures. 

ABOUT THE BLACK FARMERS COLLECTIVE

The primary project of the Farm Specialist throughout the year is to support a partnership with the Black Farmers Collective (BFC). BFC is a group of Black food system professionals working to develop an urban farm and innovation centers based at several farm spaces around Puget Sound The goal is to improve community health, both mental and physical, by growing food and rooting an African American presence in urban farming.  This position works closely with BFC to support volunteer recruitment, manage volunteer projects, and implement targeted community outreach and engagement. 

Position Summary

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Farm Specialist is an AmeriCorps position with EarthCorps.

This position offers a mix of office work, hands-on farm work, outreach, and farm volunteer event leadership. Office tasks include using online tools to attract and track community volunteers, designing outreach materials and implementing outreach plans, and targeted recruitment for community volunteer events. Field work includes onsite leadership of volunteers of all ages, invasive plant removal, native plant installation, urban farm development, maintaining tools and equipment, and completing additional non-volunteer field projects on an occasional basis. 

This position is supervised by EarthCorps, but works closely with the BFC Managing Director and Farm Manager, who will be the lead on training and day to day tasks. The position is offered through AmeriCorps. As such, all applicants must meet the requirements to become an AmeriCorps member and abide by AmeriCorps policies.  

Duties & Responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Time in this position will be split approximately 90% Black Farmers Collective farm work and volunteer management and 10% training and education. Black Farmers Collective Project Support

·       General farm maintenance and duties at Yes Farm, Small Axe, and partner organizations.

·       Participate in professional development opportunities as desired such as food handlers permit, farm class, training, and other certifications. 

·        Support outreach team in community event planning and teaching and working with youth.

·       Support in organizing and running community farm days and managing volunteers, and creating a space centering Black and Brown communities. 

·       Support and attend regular BFC leadership meetings.

·       Prepare oral and written reports, including photos of volunteer events, work project summaries, equipment use and maintenance logs, and incident reports

Other Outreach & Communication Support:

·       Strive for professional, clear, timely, and open communication amongst EarthCorps and BFC partners.

·       Work with the EarthCorps Corps Director to maintain consistent external messaging about the organization, volunteer program, and crew program.

Habitat restoration and urban farm maintenance is physically demanding service. Each year new members consistently underestimate the physical and mental requirements. The Farm Specialist must both have the capacity to perform restoration tasks in challenging physical situations and ability to motivate others. Service regularly involves:

·       Long days of repetitively shoveling, digging, and swinging heavy tools.

·       Heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. and bending.

·       Working in the outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat/cold/rain.

TERMS OF SERVICE:

·       STATUS: Temporary, exempt

·       PERIOD OF SERVICE: February 1st to December 8^th, 2022

·       TYPICAL HOURS OF SERVICE: 7:20 a.m. – 5:10 p.m. Tues-Saturday, alternating Tuesdays off (1/2 hour lunch does not count towards AmeriCorps hours), some evenings, overnights, and weekends are required.

·       Criminal history checks conducted to fulfill AmeriCorps requirements.

BENEFITS:

·       AmeriCorps education award of $6,345 upon successful completion of a minimum of 1,700 hours and all EarthCorps program activities.

·       Education & Training

·       Days off & holidays permissible as designated by EarthCorps (6 personal days, as standard)

·       Medical Insurance

·       Subsidized ORCA Pass for bus transportation.

·       Boots, pants, t-shirt, rain gear, and safety equipment provided.

RATE OF PAY: $2,426/month before taxes

Required Qualifications

·       Capacity to take initiative, stay motivated in an office setting, and work independently.

·       Lived experience and experience working within the Black community.

·       Capacity to delegate, manage time, multitask, stay organized, and be responsive.

·       Commitment and ability to serve for the full AmeriCorps term

Desired Qualifications

·       Interest in food justice and environmental justice issues.

·       Experience leading others in outdoor activities.

·       Experience in community outreach or organizing.

·       Effective cross-cultural communication including sensitivity to and awareness of cultural differences and a commitment to working in an inclusive environment.

·       Experience leading and facilitating in a team setting.

·       Proficient writer, editor, and communicator.

·       Ability to bring positivity, humor, and optimism to challenging situations.

·       Ability to be flexible and navigate ambiguity

·       Ability to commit to self-care in a highly social office and program environment.

·       Experience in a customer service setting.

·       Valid driver’s license and comfort driving 12 passenger vans and large trucks.

COVID-19 Considerations 

Every person entering the office must wear a face mask. We are requiring that all employees be fully COVID-19 vaccinated prior to the start of employment. Proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination should be submitted on or no later than your scheduled start date. If you believe you are entitled to either a medical or religious exemption to our vaccination requirement, please contact Human Resources and your situation will be evaluated.  

Please submit your completed application as soon as you are able. New applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. 

We encourage applicants from all racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities to apply, especially those from historically marginalized communities.

To Apply

Click the ’Apply Now’ button below to begin your application. You will be asked to submit basic personal information, a current resume, and a cover letter answering the following question; "Why do you want to serve at EarthCorps, in the Corps Program? What attracted you, and how will this term of service help you reach your goals?