Seeking: TerraCorp Service Member – CISA

Join CISA as our 2021-22 TerraCorps Member

As a Member you will be part of the 2021-2022 TerraCorps program and join up to 80 other members serving with nonprofit partner organizations across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Members serve in full-time (38 hour/week) position from August 30^th, 2021- July 29^th, 2022. These 1,700-hour AmeriCorps positions receive a living allowance and are eligible for health insurance coverage, childcare assistance, education award, federal loan forbearance, and additional AmeriCorps benefits. Application specifics, position descriptions, and additional information about how to apply can be found at https://terracorps.org/apply-to-serve-with-terracorps/.

Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Interviews begin mid-May, and we aim to fill all positions by mid to late July.

AmeriCorps programs provide equal service opportunities. TerraCorps will recruit and select persons for all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive community. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and varying experiences, including people with disabilities, people of color, and LGBTQIA individuals. We will provide reasonable accommodations for interviews and services upon request. TerraCorps is a grant program of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

About:

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) is a non-profit organization that strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local food economy. Our programs include the Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown® business membership and marketing campaign, educational activities for the public, technical assistance trainings and workshops for farmers, and programs to expand market options for farmers and increase access to local food for all communities in our region. CISA staff work collaboratively within the organization as well as outside the organization to educate partners and community members about the importance of local agriculture in our local food system. Currently CISA staff are working remotely due to COVID19, however we are looking forward to working together at the office once all are comfortable and safe to do so. In the meantime, we continue to work successfully using Zoom and having monthly outdoor gatherings once each month when the weather permits.

COVID-19 Information:

Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture strongly recommends that staff and TerraCorps Service Members be fully vaccinated before the start of the TerraCorps service year. The reason we are strongly recommending vaccination is because CISA supports the global effort to address COVID-19. We require that all staff and service members share their vaccination status with the organization. This position will include some in-person activities with other staff and with partner organizations and community members. If you choose not to get vaccinated for health or religious reasons, we will explore possible accommodations to create a safe workplace environment for all parties.

Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture has proposed the following potential project(s) for their Regional Collaboration Coordinator:

1. CISA intends to help build sales at farmers’ markets, through the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP). It is our goal to bring non-traditional shoppers to the market to increase their access to local, fresh food and expand the market for market venders. CISA’s TerraCorps member will work with farmers’ market venders and managers, as well as partner organizations to implement and create additional training materials that can be used to educate families about SNAP/HIP acceptance at markets. The member and/or volunteers will create and host informational tours at farmers’ markets for new market shoppers, introducing them to how to navigate this new space. CISA’s TerraCorps member will partner with existing local farmers’ markets in developing this program and with community groups near each market so that communities can shape the training and outreach to best meet their communities’ needs.
2. The member will develop and execute trainings for staff at HIP approved farm stores and farm stands in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. The goal is to produce video trainings and collateral that businesses can use to train their staff, many of whom are hired seasonally and change year to year.
3. Maintenance of CISA’s HIP access webpage and monthly distribution of retail outlets to service providers would continue along with trainings (either in-person or via Zoom) to fill gaps in outreach. CISA will continue to partner with other organizations to ensure a comprehensive approach to HIP outreach, education, and training that adapts to the needs of local communities.

Development of these and other projects will occur during the first two months of service and consider the member’s interests and skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong writing and verbal communication skills
• Able to serve both independently and as a member of a team
• Comfort navigating computer software programs (Comfort navigating computer software programs Microsoft Office, Airtable, Canva, Constant Contact, WordPress, JotForm, Google Forms, Social Media Outlets, Survey Monkey)
• Training and experience pertinent to the Regional Collaboration Coordinator with Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) position and projects listed above
• Experience training and educating community members and volunteers
• Spanish proficiency preferred
• Ability to work with people of various backgrounds including government  agency staff, farmers, farmers’ market managers, business owners, volunteers, and community members
• Comfortable speaking on the telephone

How to Apply

Member applications will be collected by TerraCorps and shared with Service Sites. Do not send applications directly to a Service Site.

A complete member application includes a resume, two references, and an application form. Member application and detailed instructions can be found here.

We strongly encourage interested individuals to apply as soon as possible once applications are posted. Position offers and acceptances will be made on a rolling basis. The program aims to fill all positions by late June, but Service Sites will continue interviews as needed until all positions are filled.

For questions about TerraCorps, contact Lianna Lee, who manages TerraCorps’ recruitment process. Email MA@terracorps.org or call 978-364-9770.