Development and Outreach Coordinator, AmeriCorps VISTA, Mill Creek Farm

Posted by on May 27, 2013

Position: Development and Outreach Coordinator, AmeriCorps VISTA

Organization: A Little Taste of Everything – The Mill Creek Farm, Philadelphia, PA 19139

Position Overview

The AmeriCorps VISTA Development and Outreach Coordinator would increase the capacity of the Mill Creek Farm by assisting with:

·      outreach to schools and community organizations to set up educational programs
·      outreach to increase distribution of produce through sales and donations, including advertising for the farmers’ market
·      coordination of workshops and community events
·      fundraising efforts including grant-writing, donor solicitation, and events, especially year-end benefit party
·      recording and reporting for evaluation
·      compiling newsletters
·      maintaining website
·      scheduling and volunteer coordination

Primary Responsibilities

Program Coordination and Development (50%)

·      Support grassroots fundraising efforts including grant-writing, sending out appeal letters/emails, and organizing benefit events throughout the year
·      Work with the Director and Fundraising Committee on year-end fundraiser event, including planning, donation solicitation and gathering, promotion, coordination of food and silent auction, and hosting
·      Develop necessary marketing materials, press, and website content
·      Update and maintain website, including photo archives
·      Support Director in drafting, designing and disseminating newsletters
·      Assist with development of evaluation materials for the farm
·      Record and report on programmatic successes to support S.M.A.R.T. goals evaluation

Outreach and Community Organizing (40%)

·      Meet with local schools’ principals and do outreach to local schools and community organizations to set up ongoing educational programs
·      Attend community meetings (i.e. Mill Creek Community Advisory Council) and events
·      Coordinate and assist with farm-based educational workshops and community events
·      Support increased distribution of produce through sales and donations, including advertising for the farmers’ market

Education Support & Curriculum Development (10%)

·      Assist Farmer Manager in curriculum planning related to food justice, youth development, and healthy cooking.

Required Qualifications

·      Demonstrated commitment to food justice
·      Experience in community organizing, education, community/economic development and/or non-profit program management
·      Excellent written and oral communication skills, and experience in facilitating group discussions and public speaking
·      Detail-oriented, organized, flexible, and enthusiastic
·      Strong computer skills and proficiency in MS Office

Preferred Qualifications

·      Experience working with diverse groups of people of all ages
·      Knowledge of sustainable agriculture
·      Familiarity with CIVICRM, Droopal website program
·      Familiarity with newsletter programs (i.e. Adobe)
·      Grant-writing experience
·      Self-motivated, self-directed

Compensation:
·      AmeriCorps living allowance of $1,026/month (or $12,312/year).
·      Education award of $5,550 upon successful completion of term of service
·      Loan forbearance with interest accrual payment
·      Child-care coverage (if applicable)
·      Health benefits
·      Relocation allowance (if applicable)
·      Training

About A Little Taste of Everything – The Mill Creek Farm

A Little Taste of Everything is a non-profit agency dedicated to increasing access to nutritious, affordable foods and providing food systems education for low-income populations in Philadelphia. ALTOE’s mission is put into action through the Mill Creek Farm. Mill Creek Farm (MCF) is an educational urban farm located in West Philadelphia that is dedicated to improving local access to fresh produce, building a healthy community and environment, and promoting a just and sustainable food system. MCF is a small organization working to address these needs through food production and distribution and offering farm-based educational opportunities. The Farm grows vegetables as well as fruits and herbs which are sold at bi-weekly farmstands and to a local food co-op, as well as donated to food cupboards, to improve access to fresh, healthy produce in West Philadelphia, specifically in the Mill Creek neighborhood. MCF works with volunteers and visitors, schools and other groups, individuals, high school interns, neighbors, customers, and community gardeners, to involve people in understanding food production and urban sustainability.

MCF works for a more just world based in self-determination and equal distribution of resources and power. To these ends, MCF and its staff build relationships across differences and value accessibility and transparency in all areas of the organization. MCF believes learning should be action-oriented and experiential. Because of the small size of the organization staff works closely on a regular base to discuss many matters before the organization and develop its capacity. In upholding the integrity of its values, staff are accountable to one another, to the mission, to the board of directors, and to the community of Mill Creek.

A VISTA will join the team during a transitional period to support the staff in assessing and improving MCF’s effectiveness; in fundraising and coordination of educational programs in order to reach more volunteers and visitors; and in increasing vegetable production to provide more food for the community.

How to Apply: Please Submit a Cover Letter and Resume to millcreekfarmphilly@gmail.com with VISTA in the subject line.

Application Deadline: May 31, 2013

VISTA will be required to attend a Pre-Service Orientation in Philadelphia July 22nd – 25th and service will begin immediately following.