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Americorps Garden Educators - Bellingham, WA

  • 1.  Americorps Garden Educators - Bellingham, WA

    Posted 06-22-2022 01:28:00 PM
    Common Threads Farm in Bellingham, WA is seeking our 2022-2023 Americorps Garden Educators!  

    AmeriCorps School-based Food Educator 

    Common Threads connects kids to healthy food in the garden, in the kitchen, and at the table. We want kids to grow up making food choices that are good for their bodies, their communities, and the environment. Founded in 2007 and based in Bellingham, Washington, Common Threads is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that nourishes curiosity, joy, bravery and community through seed-to-table education. Historically, most of our programs have taken place on public school grounds, during the school day.  Common Threads also runs after-school gardening and cooking programs at schools and affordable housing complexes, and spring/summer camps at an urban farm site. 

    At Common Threads, we hold ourselves accountable (individually and as an organization) to a life-long learning journey to better understand the roles that each of us can most appropriately play in dismantling systemic and structural oppression and building a more just and equitable world.


    Skills and Qualifications:

    Minimum Requirements:

    • A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S.
    • At least 17 years of age by August 22, 2022
    • Have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent (or agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent before using an Education Award)
    • Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria
    • Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain a religious or medical exemption. 

    Successful candidates for the AmeriCorps Food Educator positions will:

    • Demonstrate passion for and understanding of Common Threads' mission and programs
    • Be willing and able to serve in-person and remotely in Bellingham and Whatcom County
    • Be willing and able to travel to multiple service sites in Bellingham and Whatcom County (via personal vehicle, Common Threads vehicle, bike, etc.)
    • Be willing to serve long hours outside in all weather
    • Demonstrate commitment, creativity, adaptability, attention to detail, and the ability to serve both independently and as part of a team
    • Able to be a proactive self-starter on projects
    • Have basic computer skills

    The ideal candidates will also: 

    • Have experience teaching or working with youth, especially elementary and middle school students 
    • Have experience gardening, farming, and/or cooking
    • Be familiar with Google Suite, Zoom, and Slack 
    • Bring strong Spanish, Russian or Punjabi language skills
    • Contribute lived experience that helps diversify the perspectives represented on our team. People of color, non-binary individuals, members of the LGBTQ community, people whose first language is one other than English, elders, men, high school and college students, and people with lived experience of hunger and poverty are particularly encouraged to apply. 

    Each AmeriCorps School-based Food Educator will serve as the lead educator at one or more of Common Threads' partner schools. In most cases, this will involve leading school-based garden lessons during spring and fall and cooking lessons during winter. It also entails being the lead coordinator for school garden maintenance and improvement projects. While the majority of the School-based Food Educator's time will be spent at their assigned school sites, this position also includes time for in person or computer-based preparation, training, and the opportunity to support/co-teach with other Food Educators. 

    Each service member will also be responsible for:

    • Recruitment and management of volunteers
    • Timely completion of administrative tasks, including email communications, data & story collection, and project prep time 
    • Complete a minimum of 1200 hours of service (if full time, service is for 10 months, 35+ hours per week; part-time hours vary) starting August 22, 2022, including a generous mid-winter break, and ending at the end of the school year in late June 2023. 

    Depending on community needs and applicant's skills, interests, and scheduling availability, each AmeriCorps Food Educator may also play a lead or support role in one or more of the following:

    • Facilitating after school gardening and/or cooking clubs at school sites
    • Facilitating School Break Camp-style food education programs (may include both gardening and cooking)
    • Developing and leading trainings for teammates on topics with which the member has passion and expertise
    • Assisting with social media and other special communications projects

    Compensation and Benefits 

    • Opportunity to learn, grow and be of service in the company of passionate service members with strong mentorship and support from Common Threads' core leadership team
    • Total living allowance of $14368.54 before tax (distributed in ten monthly payments) for full-time, 10 month, 1200 hour service positions. If part-time position is negotiated, living stipends will be prorated. 
    • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from the National Service Trust in the amount of $4,546.50 upon successful completion of service. If part-time position is negotiated, education award will be prorated.  
    • Student Loan forbearance on qualifying loans during the service term 
    • Basic Food Benefits eligibility 
    • Health care coverage, including dental and vision (full-time positions only)
    • Subsidized childcare for qualified members
    • Professional development opportunities in education, agriculture, nutrition, communication and more

    The service schedule for this position includes time off:

    • Federal Holidays excluding Martin Luther King Jr Day, which is a day of service
    • A week off at Thanksgiving
    • An extended break in December (allowing members to rest, recreate, or pick up holiday employment as personal circumstances demand)
    • A late winter/early spring break week
    • Additional time off approved on a case-by-case basis

    To apply: 

    • Fill out our application online at Common Threads Farm AmeriCorps Application.  If computer access is a barrier to applying, please contact us for a paper application. 
    • Don't delay! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until filled. 
    • For questions or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email hr@commonthreadsfarm.org or call 360-927-1590. 


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    Kathy Capron
    Common Threads Farm
    Bellingham WA
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