Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator
450-Hour UCC AmeriCorps Individual Placement Position
Organization and Job Description
Summit Community Gardens (SCG) is a non-profit organization that operates a 1.5-acre community garden in Park City, centrally located just off Old Ranch Road at 4056 Shadow Mountain Drive. Our mission is to build and strengthen our community by educating, empowering, and providing an opportunity for people to grow their own food successfully and sustainably. We achieve our mission by offering gardening education, garden plot rentals, and community events.
The UCC AmeriCorps Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator is primarily responsible for developing and expanding the volunteer programs and community outreach programs of Summit Community Gardens (SCG). The Coordinator will also assist in the development and maintenance of the demonstration gardens, will help facilitate garden volunteer groups, and assist at SCG events.
The position requires strong leadership skills, self-motivation, and a passion to represent the benefits of growing and eating healthy, local, organic food. Through this position, the UCC AmeriCorps member will have the opportunity to learn about organic farming practice, outdoor education, sustainable food production, and non-profit volunteer management through hands-on experience.
Primary Responsibilities
Volunteer Coordination
Work closely with Managers to identify and implement opportunities for volunteers
Monitor community gardeners volunteer hours to ensure they complete their service
Provide training and communication to volunteers
Organize volunteers into task specific groups and arrange for volunteer days throughout the season
Identify and implement volunteer tracking and reporting tools
Help develop a volunteer recognition program, including planning an end-of-year celebration
Community Gardener Coordination and Events
Develop tactical and logistical plan for community outreach
Identify community events where SCG should have a presence and make necessary contacts
Develop schedule of outreach events
Staff outreach events with tables, educational activities, and information about SCG programs
Be the primary contact and representative at outreach events
Recruit volunteers to also participate in outreach events
Assist in the marketing and promotion of the community outreach program via social media and other marketing formats
Community Garden Program Stewardship
Help plant, maintain, harvest, record, and distribute produce from all demonstration gardens
Provide support to community gardeners as needed
Help to facilitate garden volunteer groups and garden crews
Assist with Summit Community Gardens and community events as needed, including: Garden Orientation Day (a Saturday in May), Seeds of Change (May), Dig-In (a Saturday in September) and garden clean up in October
Qualifications
Organized, motivated, and able to work independently and as part of a group
Interest in community engagement
Confidence in public outreach and speaking
Excellent communication skills, positive attitude, and ability to solve problems creatively
Desire to work outdoors in variable weather conditions
Basic knowledge of sustainable, organic gardening OR strong desire to learn
Other Preferred Experience
Bachelor’s degree in related field (nonprofit management, education, social work, environmental studies, etc.)
Prior experience working with or managing volunteers
Prior experience with gardening, farming, or education
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, comfortable using Google Applications (Gmail and Google Docs)
Ability to lift 25 pounds and work in the garden
Fluency in Spanish
Minimum Qualifications
Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and eligible to serve an AmeriCorps State/National term.
Must be at least age 18 by the start of their term and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Must undergo and pass a National Criminal History Check.
Must commit to completing their Term of Service.
Schedule
The Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator will work roughly 15 hours a week during the early garden season (April – May) and then will work 20 hours per week during the garden season (June – September) and will finish out hours in October. The hours will fluctuate with events and garden schedules. We can be flexible scheduling hours; however, we expect the Coordinator will establish and publish his or her schedule at least 2 weeks in advance and notify the Garden Program Director of any changes.
Compensation
This is an individual placement position through the Utah State University, Utah Conservation Corps (USU-UCC), AmeriCorps Program. USU-UCC and SCG will provide the selected individual with a $3,635 living allowance divided into bi-monthly installments and an educational award of $1,612.43 (upon completion of entire member contract).
Educational Opportunities and Other Benefits
Gain experience coordinating and managing volunteers
Create an engaging relationship with community members
Represent the importance of responsible food production
Opportunity to spend time working outdoors in beautiful Park City!
Access to fresh garden produce
To Apply
Send cover letter, resume, contact information for 2 professional references to info@summitcommunitygardens.org by 9 am, March 15, 2019. Please put “UCC AmeriCorps Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator” in the subject line.