Learning Garden Coordinator

In partnership with the Confluence Environmental Center, AmeriCorps Program and Portland Community College, our Member’s goal is to establish and support institutional systems to get healthy food, including fresh produce, to students with low-income and their families. Additionally, they will serve to bring awareness of food insecurity and develop leadership to address these systemic conditions. The Member’s time with PCC will be split into 3 complimentary parts

1. The Member will focus the learning garden towards maximizing the food production potential. We have a beautiful 14,000 sqft garden with 21 raised beds, 10 production beds, 2 cob structures, 2 living willow structures, hoophouse, earthen oven, terraced garden, blueberry field, 2 industrial worm bins, and native bee center. The garden has always grown food but we want to shift to growing as much food for our students as possible focused on plants that are culturally specific where possible. We also employ the garden as an educational platform around food sovereignty topics (40%). 

2. Teaching and establishing an online cooking workshop that focuses on making delusion and nutritious meals from typical food pantry items. Folded in the classes will be back skills for cooking as well as support around getting food resources and building community. (30%)

3. Outreach and development. Lead educational activities focusing on both food production and food growing education, giving hands on opportunities and a sense of belonging. Promotion of events and opportunities through tabling and writing our weekly newsletter (10%). 

4. The Member will participate in Confluence led leadership development activities which include:  Leadership Development Training Series, completing a Change Agent Project (CAP), team meetings, National Service events and other self-directed development opportunities (20%).

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

• Independently run daily Learning Garden activities such as propagation, planting, maintenance, harvesting food, other work parties, and events.
• With support, lead online cooking workshops that support students who use the campus food pantries.
• Serve to create more accessible and equitable garden spaces.
• Design and create outreach materials and write weekly newsletter to market and publicize Learning Garden events and initiatives.
• Collaborate with PCC stakeholders including other campuses' Learning Gardens, PCC faculty, the Associated Students of PCC, Women's Resource Center, and Multicultural Center, Queer resource center to engage and serve nontraditional and underserved student populations on campus in the Learning Garden in terms of providing and growing healthy food.
• Manage, coordinate, and track ongoing data related to food production, compost, volunteer hours and other projects.
• Complete and submit all necessary paperwork and reports in a timely manner; attend and complete all training and service requirements; wear Confluence uniform and/or appropriate identifiers and required safety gear while performing service or attending official events.
• Abide by program and AmeriCorps policies. Under no circumstances will Members be asked to perform prohibited activities outlined in the approved grant.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to engage audiences through remote teaching.
• Strong organization skills and the ability to serve independently
• Enjoys working with and can support diverse groups of people
• Work in the office and outside in the garden
• Ability and willingness to communicate in a positive, professional manner with a wide range of stakeholders, including students, staff, and college organizations.
• Joyfully work in the garden during inclement weather; ability to dig, kneel, and lift 40 pounds.
• Willingness/openness to learn about and discuss racial equity and social justice issues.
• A cooperative manner and the ability to serve as part of a diverse team.
• Regular and reliable attendance and dependability. 
• AmeriCorps Members must be: 18 years of age or older at beginning of service term; U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident; in possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, or commit to earning one prior to receiving education award; able to commit to the full term of service; able to successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check and satisfactory report from the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) prior to the start of the position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Attended a community college.
• Hands-on experience growing food in a medium-scale garden environment and sustainability background.
• Experience working with issues of food insecurity, diverse cultural populations, people of color, immigrant or refugee populations, or those with limited economic resources.
• Cooking skills and knowledge
• Being able to use zoom     

MEMBER BENEFITS INCLUDE

• $19,200 living allowance paid over the 11-month term of service (approx. $1,745 monthly, before taxes).
• $7,395 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 opportunities such as EDI and Environmental Justice trainings (trainings valued at ~$23,000).
• May be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Monthly TriMet passes available.
• Mileage reimbursement for Confluence trainings.
• May be eligible for free BIKETOWN membership.
• Serving at the largest higher educational institution in Oregon provides a large range of networking and social connections.
• Flexible and supportive working environment
• A focus on members growth and learning

PROJECT LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

• PCC Sylvania campus located at 12000 SE 49th Ave, Portland, OR 97229  
• PCC provides free shuttle service between campuses and is served by city bus lines.
• Personal vehicle is not required but helpful for the position.