Our Kaua`i Youth & Food Programs VISTAs build capacity within our Kaua`i School Garden Network, Hawaiian Charter School Food Program, Ag Internship Program, and Island-wide Gardening Trainings, in order to create, streamline, and expand future opportunity for our Youth & Food programs across the island. We have 3 positions across the island; one in each School Complex Area (Waimea, Kaua`i, & Kapa`a); with a rotating hiring schedule for one-year service periods.

YOU WILL:

Work in a capacity-building framework across various Youth & Food Programs, including fundraising, grant-writing, volunteer recruitment/management, new resource development, and in-kind donation attainment. Program-specific duties depend on your assigned School Complex Area, but may include:

Build Capacity of the Kaua`i School Garden Network:
– Survey schools, perform site visits and build relationships to determine their needs and goals.
– Install and/or expand school garden programs within assigned School Complex Area.
– Assist in building school-based Committees and a volunteer base to maintain school gardens.
– Market resource listing for schools with information on possible guest speakers and partners, curriculum resources, and more.
– Help to organize “Farm-to-School Month” each October, with a variety of educational and fundraising events to support the KSGN.

Help Launch the Hawaiian Charter School Food Program:
– Identify unmet School Food Program needs within assigned school(s) and assist in creating future plans for addressing those needs.
– Participate in School Food Program Committee meetings to support the qualification process of the schools for the Federal School Lunch Subsidies programs, if needed.

Grow & Streamline the Island-wide Organic Gardening Training Program:
– Support planning, execution, and maintenance of the Island-wide Organic Gardening Training program to provide student and community education on organic gardening to empower the community to develop their own food sources and increase self-sufficiency.
– Help to coordinate logistics, promotions, and follow-ups of training programs.
– Develop measurables and administer surveys to demonstrate program’s effectiveness.

Launch & Execute Ag Internship Program:
– Recruit local agriculture students to participate in program through hosting recruitment sessions at schools, flyering, outreach events, etc.
– Assist in program planning and development, including fundraising, in-kind donation attainment, speaker/field trip recruitment, and more.

YOU SHOULD:

– know how to have fun while working hard and balancing multiple priorities to reach goals.
– enjoy the outdoors as much as working on a computer, and thrive working independently.
– have a start-up attitude, self-motivation and personal drive to improve our food system and the lives of children.
– have previous gardening and/or farming experience and knowledge.
– Ties to Hawaii, multi-cultural experience, or Hawaiian language abilities are a huge plus!

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

AmeriCorps VISTA is a year-long, full-time service opportunity through the Corporation for National & Community Service. You must be at least 18 to serve. Program Benefits Include:

– Living Allowance of $15,312 ($587.30 every two weeks)
– Choice of $5,730 Education Award or $1,500 End of Service Stipend
– Healthcare Coverage
– Relocation Allowance, Student Loan Forbearance, and Childcare Assistance, if eligible
– Extensive training, networking, and professional development opportunities

AmeriCorps VISTA members receive a small subsistence allowance and should evaluate their financial situation to ensure that they are able to complete the full one-year term. The CNCS provides the living allowance to cover the cost of food, housing, and other basic necessities during service. The allowance is low because a VISTA member is expected to live at approximately the same economic level as the people they serve. You may attend school or have another part-time job during service, but will be expected to work on a full-time basis in this program.

TO APPLY: Send a resume and cover letter to megan@malamakauai.org with “Youth & Food Programs Coordinator” in the subject line.