CONFLUENCE AMERICORPS PROGRAM

The Confluence AmeriCorps Program advances environmental equity through innovative partnerships with local organizations in the Portland metropolitan area. We offer life changing service opportunities that engage Members at the intersection of environmentalism and social justice while promoting individual leadership and development. This position is a dynamic combination of serving with a Project Partner on a dedicated project (80%) and engaging in professional and leadership development opportunities, alongside a 22 Member cohort (20%). www.confluencecenter.org

 

EQUITY & INCLUSION

Confluence does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, expression, pregnancy, parents/guardians with children, or veteran status. Confluence is committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our Members and staff with ongoing equity trainings and career development opportunities. Confluence, like many environmental programs, is a predominantly white space, and in an effort to decolonize dominant structures of oppression, we encourage people of color to apply.

 

Confluence provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees. Applicants with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation and/or alternative formats at any point in the employment process.

 

DATES OF SERVICE

September 9, 2020 – July 30, 2021 (11 months – 1700 hours)

 

POSITION TITLE

Food Security Coordinator

 

PROJECT PARTNER

Housing Authority of Clackamas County, Resident Support Services

www.clackamas.us/housingauthority

 

POSITION SUMMARY

In Partnership with the Confluence Environmental Center and the AmeriCorps Program, the Housing Authority of Clackamas County is looking for an AmeriCorps Member to address issues around food insecurity and disparities in healthy food access in low-­‐income Public Housing communities in Clackamas County.

 

The Member’s time will be split between engaging housing residents in community gardening, coordinating garden work parties, and coordinating gardening and other health and wellness education for two community gardens located in public housing neighborhoods of Hillside Park and Manor in Milwaukie and Clackamas Heights in Oregon City (40%). In addition, the Member will engage youth and coordinate the Youth Summer Lunch program at Clackamas Heights (20%).

 

In order to understand the underlying components of food insecurity, the Member will spend time assessing access to food systems as they currently exist in addition to strengthen collaborations with our local partners that focus on health and food security issues. These partners include the Oregon Food Bank Seed to Supper and Free Food Market programs, OSU Extension Food Resource Management Services, Providence Milwaukie Hospital Teaching Kitchen, Clackamas County Public Health, ESD Summer Lunch Program and area food pantries (20%).

 

The Member will participate in Confluence led leadership development activities which include: Leadership Development Program, team meetings, National Service events and other self-­‐directed development opportunities (20%).

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (to include, but not limited to):

  • Run weekly Community Garden check-­‐ins to support gardeners at both community gardens in propagation, planting, maintenance and harvesting activities throughout the growing
  • Coordinate garden work parties and other community events to maintain the gardens and collaborate on community
  • Coordinate with community partners that focus on food insecurity and health and wellness initiatives to provide garden and health workshops in public housing
  • Coordinate the Summer Lunch program for youth 0 to 18 at Clackamas Heights Community
  • Design and create outreach materials to engage public housing residents in community garden and Youth Summer Lunch
  • Recruit a diverse community of public housing gardeners to become leaders and change agents on food insecurity and other important issues in their
  • Manage, coordinate, and track ongoing data related to volunteer and community gardener hours and summer lunch program
  • Complete and submit all necessary Confluence/AmeriCorps/Summer Lunch Program paperwork and reports in a timely
  • Comply with HACC, Confluence/AmeriCorps, and Youth Summer Lunch program
  • Attend and complete all HACC/Confluence/AmeriCorps/Summer Lunch training and service requirements including orientation, trainings, team meetings and National Service

 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to serve
  • Ability to serve with diverse groups of people both in the office and outside (rain or shine) setting.
  • Ability and willingness to communicate in a positive and professional manner to a wide range of stakeholders, including community gardeners, HACC staff and partner
  • Ability to serve in inclement weather, dig, kneel and lift 50
  • Willingness/openness to learn about and discuss racial equity and social justice
  • Ability to serve as part of a diverse
  • Regular and reliable attendance and
  • AmeriCorps Members must be: 18 years of age or older; S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident; able to commit to the full term of service; able to successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree
  • Hands on experience growing food in medium-­‐scale garden environment
  • Experience working with issues of food insecurity, diverse cultural populations, people of color, immigrant or refugee populations, or those with limited economic means
  • Knowledge and interest in sustainability & permaculture models of landscaping & agriculture production
  • Skills as a garden and/or social justice educator

 

MEMBER BENEFITS INCLUDE

  • $14,279 living allowance paid over the 11-­‐month term of service (approx. $1,298 monthly, before taxes).
  • $6,195 education award (qualified student loans and/or education expenses)
  • Loan Forbearance
  • Health Care Insurance
  • Child Care Reimbursement
  • $100 Training Fund
  • Professional Leadership Certificate, Trainings and Networking
  • May be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

 

PROJECT LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

  • Main Office (Resident Services Office): 509 A Street, Oregon City, OR 97045 (garden is .25 miles f/office)
  • Hillside Office: 2889 SE Hillside Court, Milwaukie, OR 97222 (garden is located on-­‐site)
  • Admin Office: 13930 S. Gain Street, Oregon City, OR 97045
  • Both Housing neighborhoods are accessible by Tri-­‐Met bus services. At the Oregon City location, however, bus service times are somewhat A Personal Vehicle (recommended, but not required).
  • Mileage reimbursement during work hours will be provided for AmeriCorps Members who have their own

 

HOW TO APPLY

STEP 1: Apply to Confluence:

  • Complete AmeriCorps Application

 

STEP 2:      Apply to Project Supervisor: (Conducts first round interviews and recommends top candidates to Confluence)

Email the following items to Elizabeth Miller at emiller@clackamas.us, 503-­‐655-­‐827:

  • Résumé
  • Cover letter (1 page)
  • Contact information for three references (name, title, relationship, email & phone)

QUESTIONS ABOUT CONFLUENCE OR AMERICORPS?

Ashlie Tainer  | Operations Coordinator  |  503-­‐349-­‐0935 |   atainer@confluencecenter.org