POSITION SUMMARY:

The Outreach Specialist is a unique AmeriCorps position with EarthCorps. While this position works to implement volunteer events as part of the EarthCorps Volunteer (ECV) program, their primary project throughout the year will be helping to support a new partnership with the Black Farmers Collective (BFC). BFC is a group of Black food system professionals working to develop an urban farm and innovation center called YES Farm.  The goal of YES Farm is to improve community health, both mental and physical, by growing food and rooting an African American presence in a gentrifying Central District in Seattle. This position would be working closely with BFC to support volunteer recruitment, manage volunteer projects, and implement targeted community outreach and engagement for YES Farm. In addition to supporting YES Farm, this position will spend a significant amount of time working with the ECV team to help support other EarthCorps volunteer projects as well.

For both YES Farm and EarthCorps responsibilities, this position offers a good mix of working in an office and leading volunteers in the field. 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 with other crew members on an occasional basis.

This position is supervised by the Volunteer Program Manager and works closely with the BFC managing Director of the YES Farm project. The Outreach Specialist will participate fully in an EarthCorps orientation as well as designated retreats, workshops, and trainings throughout the year. The position is offered through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). As such, all applicants must meet the requirements to become an AmeriCorps member and abide by AmeriCorps policies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

YES Farm Project Support:

• Lead high quality, safe, and educational volunteer events at least once a month to complete projects on the urban farm. Projects can include invasive weed removal; soil remediation; and building farm and garden infrastructure.
• Work with the BFC managing Director to implement targeted outreach to deepen engagement with and increase participation of Seattle’s African American communities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with volunteers and groups interested in volunteering at YES Farm.
• Represent YES Farm at various tabling events and similar outreach opportunities.
• Support and attend regular BFC leadership meetings.

ECV Project Support:

• Lead high quality, safe, and educational volunteer events every Saturday and some weekdays.
• Motivate, educate, and inspire EarthCorps volunteers.
• Assist project managers with field projects, volunteer events, and site documentation.
• Prepare oral and written reports, including photos of volunteer events, work project summaries, equipment use and maintenance logs, and incident reports.
• Maintain EarthCorps Volunteer Program materials, tools. and vehicles.
• Complete occasional non-volunteer restoration projects as needed by the organization.

Other Outreach & Communication Support:

• Strive for professional, clear, timely, and open communication amongst staff, BFC partners, and corps participants.
• Work with the Communications Manager to maintain consistent external messaging about the organization, volunteer program, and crew program.
• Represent EarthCorps at various tabling events and similar outreach opportunities.
• Produce and edit written communication utilized for posting on websites, emailing, and printed marketing materials.
• Coordinate and deliver presentations about EarthCorps opportunities to corporate, school, and other groups.

Program Support:

• Foster and encourage leadership development in oneself as well as other corps participants.
• Work with Volunteer Specialists to create a supportive and collaborative team.
• Lead by example while serving alongside EarthCorps restoration crews and volunteers in all weather conditions.

Habitat restoration and urban farm maintenance is physically demanding service. Each year new members consistently underestimate the physical and mental requirements. The Outreach 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.
• Walking on steep or uneven terrain up to 8 mi. (13 km) while carrying 40 lbs. (18 kg) of weight.

Please consider the nature of the work prior to applying and let us know if you have any specific questions or concerns.

TERMS OF SERVICE:

• PERIOD OF SERVICE: January 14th to December 11th, 2020
• TYPICAL HOURS OF SERVICE: 7:20 a.m. – 5:10 p.m. Tues-Saturday, alternating Tuesdays off. Some evenings, overnights, and weekends are required.
• RATE OF PAY: $1,750/month
• Criminal history checks conducted to fulfill AmeriCorps requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Capacity to take initiative, stay motivated in an office setting, and work independently.
• Experience engaging with different groups and communities in an outdoor setting, particularly African American communities.
• 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.

BENEFITS:

• AmeriCorps education award of $6,095 upon successful completion of a minimum of 1,700 hours and all EarthCorps program activities.
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training provided if needed.
• 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.

EarthCorps does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, or religion.