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Industry: Hospitality, Human Services & Education

Type of Job: Hospitality, Human Services & Education

Type: Internship

Location: In-Person in Durango

Age Requirement: 18 and Up

$ Paid

Starts: Sep. 9, 2024

Ends: May. 31, 2025

Hours Per Week: 40

Available Time of Day: Generally follows school schedule with some variance

Description

Program Overview:  Led by the United Way of SWCO (UWSWC),  Team UP AmeriCorps places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Southwest Colorado.  While these members serve as part of a regional cohort and participate in regional cohort trainings and activities,  they spend the majority of their term serving directly at a specific host site organization.  Through collaborative service,  Team UP AmeriCorps members develop their own professional skills and passions,  expand effectiveness of southwest Colorado organizations,  and ultimately support people to thrive.  Team UP has been utilizing collective impact initiatives since 2015 to collaborate across sectors and promote communication towards common goals within rural Southwest Colorado communities.

 

The SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab,  a project of Durango School District 9R,  is a public,  outdoor growing facility rooted in community engagement,  educational and economic opportunity,  multigenerational collaboration,  cultural and ecological stewardship,  and healthy living practices.   Our mission is to bring people from across the community of SW Colorado together around health and sustainability.   This includes kinder-college field trips,  community garden bed rentals,  public workshops,  and hosting a wide range of organizations for service learning activities and projects.

 

Service Position Summary:  The SOIL Lab Education Facilitator will be an integral part of the SOIL Lab’s effort to expand our educational programming through local school districts and community members.  Because their service involves projects that are new,  evolving/expanding,  and highly innovative,  the member will have a voice in the future of the projects,  while also being supported along the way.  At present,  the outdoor community garden is the site for all education activities at the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab.  Given our climate and the k-12 schools schedule in Durango,  an outdoor space can only accommodate educational activities 4-6 months out of the year.  In our first year of operation,  we have provided educational experiences to over 2000 students and community members.  With the goal of expanding our education program offerings,  we are currently building a 42’  geodesic grow dome greenhouse.  This will provide an additional 1400 square feet of year-round climate-controlled growing and education space.  We are seeking to incorporate an Education Facilitator to contribute their energy,  knowledge,  talent,  and skills toward expanding upon our existing garden education programming by incorporating a new education facility,  the Grow Dome. 

 

A significant portion of the member’s time will be spent designing and building out the interior of a large geodesic dome greenhouse to be used for prek-college   and community education year-round.  This greenhouse will introduce opportunities for year-round education here at the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab.  Upon completion of the greenhouse structure construction (anticipated to be August 2024,  prior to this position starting),  the SOIL Lab Education Facilitator will grow the SOIL Lab’s educational impact by joining us in providing   educational experiences for students ranging from preschool through college who come to the community garden and greenhouse for field trips.  Lastly,  this member will have opportunities to expand community outreach and special events introducing our new Grow Dome and the expanded educational programming to students and community members at large;  thus furthering SOIL Lab’s mission to bring people together around health and sustainability.  Note that this outreach and special event effort is intended to inform community members of opportunities to meaningfully engage with our programing and will not include this position contributing to any direct effort towards fundraising or grant writing. 

 

Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:  Team UP AmeriCorps members serve directly at their Host Site organization to develop,  implement,  and enhance programs,  projects,  and activities through direct and indirect service.  Duties include:

    • Education facility design  -  The SOIL Lab Education Facilitator   will conduct research and site visits to collect and report on best practices related to operating Pre-K through college,  and community education programs within geodesic grow domes and indoor growing facilities.  They will synthesize their findings into suggested plans/layouts for the interior layout of our grow dome. 
    • On-site educational event planning  -  Outside of school district field trips,  our site frequently hosts free community education events and workshops.  The Education Facilitator will support planning and executing these events in the community garden and expanding them into the   soon to be introduced,   grow dome. 
    • Community education outreach activities  -  The SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab also participates in off-site educational events and activities throughout the year in our community.  This participation is focused on bringing a small part of our education efforts to community events (“tasting tables”  featuring fresh garden harvests,  traveling earthworms that help community members learn about soil health,  etc).  This is an additional effort we are looking for this position to expand upon in the interest of sharing opportunities for education and engagement with as many community members as possible. 
  • Educational leader for field trips -  The Education Facilitator will also support preK-college field trips and student visits as a small group activity leader.  Introducing another leader to our small group activities on field trips and student visits will allow us to increase our capacity limit on field trips. 
  • Track host site and AmeriCorps data
  • Attend Team UP AmeriCorps regional trainings,  cohort connection days,  and Days of Service

 

Physical,  Emotional,  and Intellectual Demands:

  • Willingness to learn,  adapt,  and grow in a position
  • Ability to serve independently,  take initiative,  and be motivated by the projects they are doing
  • Compassion and awareness:  self-awareness,  awareness of cultural differences,  social differences and understanding of implicit bias
  • Strong commitment to justice,  equity,  diversity and inclusion

Qualifications / Career Path

Desired Qualifications:

  • Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;  computer literate
    • High School Graduate required (GED accepted,)  college graduate or equivalent work experience preferred
  • Ability to pass criminal history check
  • Reliable transportation &  proof of auto insurance
  • U.S.  Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required  

 

Term of Service -  Time Commitment:  This is a Three-Quarter time national and community service position requiring,  at a minimum,  a total of 1200 hours during the year (approximately 40 hours/week.)  The position begins September 9,  2024 and ends May 31,  2025.  Flexible hours are required,  including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

 

  • September 9-10:  Team UP AmeriCorps Member Orientation
  • September 11:  Host Site Orientation
  • October TDB:  Fall Group Service Day
  • Jan.  20 :  MLK Jr.  Day of Service Event
  • March 31:  Cesar Chavez Day of Service Event
  • 2nd Tuesdays of Nov,  Feb,  &  April:  regional Team UP AmeriCorps Member Trainings

 

Training and Support Provided:  Team UP AmeriCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement,  project implementation,  leadership,  diverse populations,  and more.  Up to 20%  of total hours served may be spent in applicable,  approved trainings.  Members will be supervised and supported by SOIL Lab’s Garden Manager Allison Riederer (ariederer@durangoschools.org),  as well as by Team UP AmeriCorps program staff.  The PY 24-25 cohort of Team UP AmeriCorps members serving throughout the region will also act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions:  This position is based at 2900 Mesa Ave.,  Durango,  CO 81301.  Additional other off-site engagement and partnership activities may be required.

 

Benefits:

  • A living allowance of approx.  $1,000/per pay period (twice per month).  Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
  • An education award of $5,176.50 upon successful completion of term of service.
  • Health Insurance
  • Child care Assistance,  if qualifications are met
  • It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member
  • Mileage reimbursement for travel to required AmeriCorps trainings and gatherings
  • Non-tangible benefits including extensive training,  valuable experience,  networking,  and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need
  • This position will be welcome to harvest fresh produce from the education garden beds and the grow dome.  
  • This position will also have opportunities to participate in professional development and training as it applies to school gardens,  community gardening,  garden education,  place-based community building   etc. 

 

Diversity and Equal Opportunity:  United Way values the diversity of our community.   In principle and in practice the diverse nature of our board,  staff,  and volunteers is recognized as one of our best assets.   We respect each individual’s unique gifts and prohibit unfair or discriminatory practices against anyone because of age,  race,  color,  religion,  national origin,  disability,  gender,  sexual orientation,  and any other protected category.

 

To Apply:

Email a cover letter and resume to Team UP AmeriCorps Coordinator Anne Poirot @   AnneP@unitedway-swco.org.  Be sure to indicate which position(s)  you are interested in.

 

View all open positions at https://www.unitedway-swco.org/open-americorps-positions

 

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