AmeriCorps Food and Garden Educator Position: Abernethy Elementary Garden of Wonders

 A m e r i C o r p s  P o s i t i o n  D e s c r i p t i o n  Position Title:  Food and Garden Educator Project Sponsor:  Abernethy Elementary School, Garden of Wonders www.gardenofwonders.org/       NWSA Mission: This position is in partnership with the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA), an AmeriCorps program of ESD112. NWSA's mission is: To preserve and restore the natural environment, and to develop community leaders through service and community partnerships. www.northwestserviceacademy.org    Project Location:  Portland, Oregon  Position Summary: The focus of this position will be to teach sustainable gardening and nutrition classes focused on the culture, botany and preparation of food to grades K-5 throughout the year using garden and a dedicated indoor garden classroom. Topics include garden science, plant botany, agricultural history, pressing agricultural issues with a focus on the Pacific Northwest, cooking lessons, vegetable tasting and the cultural uses of food (60%). Other responsibilities will include managing the garden including garden planning, preparing and maintaining the garden with and without students, harvesting and coordinating summer maintenance (10%), volunteer management, parent and community outreach (10 %), critiquing, strengthening, vetting, and formalizing the curriculum in collaboration with the program coordinator and partners citywide (20%).  Essential Functions (to include, but not limited to):  ·       Teach Garden of Wonder classes ·       Contribute to Weekly Newsletter ·       Recruit community volunteers ·       Interact with teachers·       Plan garden space·       Maintain garden space ·       Strengthen partnership between garden and school kitchen ·       Attend parent committee meetings ·       Conduct education/outreach to parent community·       Assist with special programs like Earth Day, Harvest Festival, other community events, educational workshops for    neighbors/parents, planning and promotion of events and weekend garden cleanups ·       Complete and submit all necessary Garden of Wonders, NWSA and AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner.  ·       Wear an NWSA uniform and/or appropriate identifiers and required safety gear while performing service or attending official events.    Position Requirements:  ·       Background in Education, including lesson planning/curriculum development experience ·       Garden/farming background, including garden maintenance/planning·       Background/knowledge of Nutrition·       Knowledge of seasonal food and cooking ·       Ability to work independently, be self driven, take initiative and leadership  ·       Positive and flexible attitude with strong work ethic ·       Experience with elementary-age children ·       Applicant must be between18 years of age, or older, at beginning of service term·       U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident·       Ability to commit to the full term of service for which you are applying ·       Successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check provided through NWSA and/or Project Sponsor       Agency  ·       Regular and reliable attendance.  ·       Experience in working in public school settings, and a willingness to work closely with staff and participate in the community of the school   ·       Have not previously served two terms in an AmeriCorps*State or National program. Members may serve up to three terms in a National Service Program, but only two terms may be within an AmeriCorps*State or National program. Members are only eligible for an education award for their first two terms of service, regardless of the type of term (full or part-time) and regardless of the successful completion of that term.                      Preferred Qualifications:  ·       Garden education or environmental education degree experience.·       A passion for local food and sustainable food systems. ·       Personal vehicle is helpful, but not required for service activities.  Member Benefits Include:  ·       A taxable, monthly living allowance (before taxes, approximately $1,250).  ·       Training fund of up to $500. ·       Upon successful completion of a term of service, eligible members receive an education award of $4,725. The education award can be used to repay qualified student loans, for further education in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational or trade schools. The education award is taxed in the year that it is used. ·       Loan forbearance (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will pay the accrued interest on qualified loans, which is taxable). ·       Basic medical insurance (covers members only, not dependents; vision and dental not included).  ·       Child care allowance for those who qualify.  ·       Abernethy Elementary School, Garden of Wonders provides the opportunity to become part of a team of individuals equally committed to service to the environment and to the community.  Transportation Information:  ·       Project site is accessible by public transportation.  

Application Deadline: On-going until filled.                            

NWSA Center: Lower Columbia Center  Interviews: No set schedule. Open until filled.                    Type of position: Professional Placement (P2) Service Dates:  TBD   (2010/2011 school year)             Length of Term:  1700 hours (11 months)   

How to apply:   Step 1 - Email the following items to Sarah Sullivan at [email protected] - No phone calls or visits please:·       Résumé ·       Cover Letter·       Contact information for three references  

Step 2 - Complete your application to NWSA:Application materials can either be completed online at the AmeriCorps website (preferred) and submitted to an NWSA position or downloaded from the NWSA website “How to Apply” page and submitted to Rob Loucks via email, mail or fax.  A complete Member application includes the following:  ·    AmeriCorps Application ·    Two Written References – These are included in the AmeriCorps online application or a form is available on our website.  ·       Certification Form - This document must be mailed to our office with an original signature.    

For questions about the position

 For general questions about P2, AmeriCorps, or Northwest Service Academy 

 Sarah [email protected]

 Rob Loucks Professional Placement Coordinator NWSA Lower Columbia Center 55 SE Main Street, Portland, OR 97214503-234-2383 ext 118fax 503-232-0166 [email protected] www.p2professional.org/blog/www.nwserviceacademy.org 

    AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER