Nutrition Education Through Gardening Job

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Apple Seeds AmeriCorps Vista Position Growing My Plate Coordinator in Arkansas - Nutrition Education through Gardening Job 

Apple Seeds, a Fayetteville-based non-profit providing garden-based education, seeks an entrepreneurial and enthusiastic full-time Growing My Plate Coordinator (GMP). Growing My Plate is a 6-course garden-based nutrition education curriculum. The goal of Growing My Plate is to empower children and teens to be more involved in their food choices. Through a combination of nutrition, culinary, and garden education, students learn to cook delicious, affordable meals with garden-grown food.

The program was collaboratively developed by Apple Seeds, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. The program’s pilot phase is wrapping up and the next step is expansion of the program state-wide. The GMP Coordinator will work with the Program Manager to refine and grow the program. The GMP Coordinator will support the implementation, evaluation, and
expansion of Growing My Plate. This is an opportunity to be a part of a growing endeavor and provide a unique service in a supportive community.

Nutrition Education Through Gardening Job - Key Responsibilities:

Develop and enhance Growing My Plate trainings for facilitators to lead their own GMP course at their garden site; specific responsibilities include:

• Refine protocols, content, and tracking for trainings
• Support in the planning, execution & management of training for new and existing GMP sites
• Manage training requirements and relationships with facilitators
• Coordinate and track course supply orders for curriculum, surveys and student materials

Support the implementation and evaluation of Growing My Plate; specific responsibilities include:

• Plan and coordinate GMP course participation
• Maintain the GMP databases
• Support GMP data collection and evaluation through student and facilitator surveys
• Support Growing My Plate courses throughout the year to help identify strengths and challenges of current program

Support the state-wide expansion of Growing My Plate; specific responsibilities include:

• Develop and nurture connections and partnerships to ensure program sustainability
• Support growth and expansion of the program through promotion and outreach
• Support revisions and additions of new curriculum materials
• Build partnerships with community organizations and schools state-wide
• Develop targeted marketing materials & maintain social media outlets for GMP

Additional Responsibilities May Include:

• Support Apple Seeds’ other educational programs
• Support the The Kids’ Table summer camp

Qualifications:

• Detail-orientated
• Strong oral & written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets
• Self-motivated; able to work and meet goals independently
• Excellent time-management skills
• Enjoys being around children and has a friendly demeanor
• Experience leading students of varying ages through planned activities/lessons
• Works well with many personality types

Requirements:

• Must have valid US driver's license
• Experience using Excel/Sheets to manage a project(s)

Hours:

• Full time – 40 hours/week
• Occasional Saturdays

Start Date: May 11th, 2020

Application Deadline: March 16th

Candidates interested in the Nutrition Education Through Gardening Job should email a letter of interest, resume, and references to Brett@appleseedsnwa.org. Please, no calls.

Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)
This is a “Volunteers in Service to America” (VISTA) position, funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service for up to three years. In return for each year of full-time service, the person filling this position will receive a modest living allowance (approx. $944 per month), health-care benefits, child-care assistance, and a $6,095 Education Award or approximately $1,800 post-service stipend. To qualify for a VISTA position, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or lawful permanent resident, and at least 18 years of age. Candidates must be available to serve full-time for at least one year. Candidates can hold another part time job provided it does not conflict with the VISTA’s service or service hours. The VISTA application process also requires a criminal history background check to ensure community members with whom we work are protected. For more information about the VISTA program, visit www.americorps.gov.

Supervision and Work Space:

The Growing My Plate Coordinator (Nutrition Education Through Gardening Job) will work from the Apple Seeds office. A computer will be provided. The Growing My Plate Coordinator will be expected to provide their own phone. The Growing My Plate Coordinator will be supervised by the Program Manager. We expect the Growing My Plate Coordinator to be self-motivated and able to work unsupervised on a daily basis.

About Apple Seeds

For more than 11 years Apple Seeds has been serving Northwest Arkansas. In that time the organization has made great strides, positively impacting the community—student surveys show improved attitudes toward healthy food and heightened knowledge of nutrition. Apple Seeds provides a variety of programs, including Farm Lab, Farm to Table cooking classes, Cooking in the Schools, and garden workshops.
For more information visit www.appleseedsnwa.org.

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Nutrition Education Through Gardening Job
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