KCCG is hiring for four positions:
Beanstalk Children’s Garden Assistant (AmeriCorps)
Community Partner Gardens Assistant (AmeriCorps)
Schoolyard Gardens Assistant (AmeriCorps)
Giving Grove Assistant (AmeriCorps)
See job descriptions below.
Beanstalk Children’s Garden Assistant (AmeriCorps)
Kansas City Community Gardens, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, has an opening for a Beanstalk Children’s Garden Assistant (AmeriCorps). KCCG has assisted low-income persons and community organizations in the metropolitan area to produce food from garden plots located in backyards, vacant lots, and at community sites for over 35 years. The Leanna Flandermeyer Beanstalk Children’s Garden Provides nutrition and environmental education to Kansas City’s youth in a unique urban garden setting, using a STEM-based curriculum tailored to meet the needs of all learning levels. Children gasp with wonder as they engage all five senses to experience the garden’s six unique areas: Vegetable, Fruit, Herb, Grain, Curiosity, and Water, tasting in-season plants and becoming inspired to grow their own food.
Position description: The Beanstalk Garden is a field trip destination for school children, homeschool groups and families around the metro area. Visitors to the Beanstalk learn about how plants grow, are able to harvest and eat whatever produce is in season and have the opportunity to explore a variety of different curiosity plants throughout the garden. The Beanstalk Children’s Garden Assistant (AmeriCorps) will work alongside the Garden Assistant and the Beanstalk Education Coordinator to maintain the Beanstalk Garden and provide visiting groups an educational and fun experience.
Responsibilities:
1. Garden Maintenance
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- Assist with General garden maintenance as required by season at the Beanstalk Garden. This includes garden bed preparation, planting, weeding, mulching, watering, pruning, harvesting, and cleaning out garden beds.
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- Assist with special events in the Beanstalk Garden and at KCCG.
2. Education and Outreach
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- Give tours of the Beanstalk Garden to groups of children, teaching them about the plants, how they grow, providing samples for tasting, answering questions and providing general gardening education.
- Research, develop and teach garden and nutrition-based curriculum to Beanstalk Garden visitors.
- Create and maintain accurate files for various educational and outreach materials related to the Beanstalk Garden.
3. Greenhouse and packing seeds
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- Assist in planting flats and label seedlings
- Participate in seed packaging
- Prepare plants for purchase by gardeners and for use in Beanstalk Garden
- Assist with greenhouse rotations and movement of flats
4. Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- An interest in working with children of all age ranges, especially urban core children.
- A basic knowledge of gardening and the willingness to learn.
- The ability to work in all weather conditions, including hot weather, rain, cold, etc.
- Ability to do and do moderate lifting.
- Willingness to be on feet for long periods of time
- Desire to create a positive, engaging experience for people who visit KCCG
Experience
- Educational experience (teaching/training at some level)
- Experience working with low-income persons
- Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and ability to provide proof of vehicle insurance
This is an AmeriCorps position provided in conjunction with Missouri River Communities Network. Therefore, the following stipulations apply.
- If offered this position, applicant must complete an online eGrants "My AmeriCorps" application before July 15, 2018.
- Applicant must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma (or 17 and working on a GED). There is no upper age limit.
- Applicant must complete 1,720 hours of service, which is approximately 32 hours a week, including some evening and Saturday hours, for 12 months. Position starts on or around August 5, 2019 and ends July 31, 2020. AmeriCorps members are allowed (with permission) to hold another job.
- Applicant must be able to attend five days of training in Columbia, Missouri, tentatively scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2019 through Friday, August 9, 2019.
- Applicant must pass the FBI criminal Background Check and the National Sexual Offender Registry.
- Attendance is expected at quarterly Missouri River Communities Network- Healthy Food AmeriCorps meetings with locations in Kansas City and Columbia, MO.
In return, AmeriCorps will provide:
- A "living allowance" of $13,732 for the year, paid in monthly increments (taxable income)
- An "education award" of $6,095 upon successfully completing the required hours
- ACA Health Care during the one year of service
- Eligibility for subsidized child care
- Eligibility for US Government Student Loan Forbearance
To Apply:
Send a cover letter and resume to:
Lois Hutchins, Beanstalk Garden Coordinator
lois{at}kccg.org
Kansas City Community Gardens is located at:
6917 Kensington
Kansas City, MO 64132
Community Partner Gardens Assistant (AmeriCorps)
Kansas City Community Gardens, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has an opening for a Community Partner Gardens Assistant (AmeriCorps). KCCG has assisted low-income persons and community organizations in the metropolitan area to produce food from garden plots located in backyards, vacant lots, and at community sites for over 35 years. The Community Partner Gardens program partners with over 200 community organizations to develop and coordinate vegetable gardens in the Kansas City area.
Position Description: The Community Partner Gardens (CPG) Assistant will serve with the CPG staff to assist community groups, faith-based organizations, neighborhood associations, and other non-profits with having successful vegetable gardens. These community groups and local nonprofits are improving service to their clients through gardening with assistance from KCCG, providing food and opportunities for nutrition education, skills development, recreation, and therapy to their clients, including seniors and those with mental and physical disabilities. The CPG Assistant will support the CPG staff with outreach to current community gardens, new garden development, engagement, on-site support, data entry and service delivery.
Responsibilities:
1. Support and assist existing Community Partner Gardens
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- Build relationships with current community partners to better understand and support the garden’s mission
- Assist staff with conducting garden site visits and providing technical assistance to ensure CPGs have the support needed for a successful garden
- Help CPGs obtain garden resources and supplies
- Help CPGs create planting plans and understand best practices for gardening
- Assist with garden construction and expansion
2. Develop and assist new Community Partner Gardens
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- Assist CPG staff with site planning and development for new community gardens.
- Assist with raised bed and garden construction
- Identify and conduct outreach to new potential community partner garden sites
3. Community engagement and education
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- Assist CPG staff with educational and technical workshops for current CPGs
- Work with CPG staff to engage community partners in sharing expertise and resources
- Attend KCCG events and assist with outreach as needed
- Develop helpful garden resource guides to provide to CPGs.
4. Collect data and provide general program assistance
- Assist with filling and tracking seed and plant orders for CPGs
- Collect and enter program data as required
- Assist CPG team in preparation of program reports
- Help at the KCCG front office customer service and in the greenhouse as needed
- Create and update KCCG website resources as needed
5. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications desired:
- Interest and experience in helping low-income families gain access to healthy food
- Desire to support community organizations in fulfilling their mission to their clients
- Knowledge of vegetable gardening
- Community organizing and engagement experience
- Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing
- Experience with public speaking and presentations
- Ability to work independently
- Knowledgeable in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint
- Skilled in record keeping and well-organized
- Reliable transportation - valid driver’s license and ability to provide proof of vehicle insurance.
This is an AmeriCorps position provided in conjunction with Missouri River Communities Network. Therefore, the following stipulations apply.
- If offered this position, applicant must complete an online eGrants "My AmeriCorps" application before July 15, 2019.
- Applicant must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma (or 17 and working on a GED). There is no upper age limit.
- Applicant must complete 1,720 hours of service, which is approximately 32 hours a week, including normal working hours, some evening and Saturday hours, for 12 months. Position starts on or around August 5, 2019 and ends July 31, 2020. AmeriCorps members are allowed (with permission) to hold another part-time job.
- Applicant must be able to attend five days of training in Columbia, Missouri, tentatively scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2019 through Friday, August 9, 2019.
- Attendance is expected at quarterly Missouri River Communities Network- Healthy Food AmeriCorps meetings with locations in Kansas City and Columbia, MO.
- Applicant must pass the FBI criminal Background Check and the National Sexual Offender Registry.
In return, AmeriCorps will provide:
- A "living allowance" of $13,732 for the year, paid in monthly increments (taxable income)
- An "education award" of $6,095 upon successfully completing the required hours
- ACA Health Care during the one year of service
- Eligibility for subsidized child care
- Eligibility for US Government Student Loan Forbearance
To Apply:
Send a cover letter and resume to:
Anna Martin, Community Partner Gardens Program Director
anna{at}kccg.org
Kansas City Community Gardens is located at:
6917 Kensington
Kansas City, MO 64132
Schoolyard Gardens Assistant (AmeriCorps)
Kansas City Community Gardens, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has an opening for a Schoolyard Gardens Assistant (AmeriCorps). KCCG has assisted low-income persons and community organizations in the metropolitan area to produce food from garden plots located in backyards, vacant lots, and at community sites for over 35 years. The Schoolyard Gardens program partners with over 200 area schools to develop and coordinate vegetable gardens on school grounds.
Position Description: The Schoolyard Gardens Assistant will assist the Schoolyard Gardens staff to work with metro area schools in developing, coordinating, planting, maintaining and harvesting food-producing gardens located on school grounds with the purpose of increasing students’ knowledge of gardening, nutrition and healthy eating habits. Early exposure to healthy eating promotes a healthier childhood and future lifestyle.
Responsibilities:
1. Maintain and assist new and existing Schoolyard Gardens:
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- Assist Schoolyard Gardens staff with site planning and development for new school gardens, including assistance with raised bed garden construction
- Assist with garden resource delivery for school gardens
- Work with Schoolyard Gardens staff to ensure that school gardens are planted in a correct and timely manner, are well maintained, and are harvested as needed
- Conduct site visits and provide technical assistance to ensure schools have the support needed for a successful garden
2. Obtain and distribute educational materials:
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- Teach garden and nutrition-based curriculum and lead age-appropriate garden activities in the garden and during classroom learning time
- Provide educational tools and workshops for school staff and students working in the garden
- Develop and facilitate indoor classroom activities to enhance student knowledge and understanding of the garden
3. Research best practices for integrating garden produce into cafeterias and classrooms:
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- Work with Schoolyard Gardens staff to meet with area school districts about the utilization of garden produce for students’ snacks and meals
- Develop resources to help school staff best utilize their school’s garden produce
- Create and update KCCG website resources as needed
4. Collect data and help maintain program records:
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- Assist in tracking seed and plant orders
- Collect program data as required
- Assist Schoolyard Gardens Team in preparation of program reports
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5. Perform other duties as assigned.
Areas of needed skills, knowledge and interest:
- Interest in working with children and community members, especially those living in the urban core
- Vegetable Gardening
- Community organizing/community development
- Communications: public speaking, presentations, written communication
- General office/computer skills
- Record keeping and organizational skills
Qualifications/Experience
- Educational experience (teaching/training at some level)
- Experience working with low-income persons
- Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and ability to provide proof of vehicle insurance
This is an AmeriCorps position provided in conjunction with Missouri River Communities Network. Therefore, the following stipulations apply.
- If offered this position, applicant must complete an online eGrants "My AmeriCorps" application before July 15, 2019.
- Applicant must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma (or 17 and working on a GED). There is no upper age limit.
- Applicant must complete 1,720 hours of service, which is approximately 32 hours a week, including some evening and Saturday hours, for 12 months. Position starts August 6, 2018 and ends July 31, 2019. AmeriCorps members are allowed (with permission) to hold another job.
- Applicant must be able to attend five days of training in Columbia, Missouri, tentatively scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2019 through Friday, August 9, 2019.
- Applicant must pass the FBI criminal Background Check and the National Sexual Offender Registry.
- Attendance is expected at quarterly Missouri River Communities Network- Healthy Food AmeriCorps meetings with locations in Kansas City and Columbia, MO.
In return, AmeriCorps will provide:
- A "living allowance" of $13,732 for the year, paid in monthly increments (taxable income)
- An "education award" of $6,095 upon successfully completing the required hours
- ACA Health Care during the one year of service
- Eligibility for subsidized child care
- Eligibility for US Government Student Loan Forbearance
To Apply:
Send a cover letter and resume to:
Hannah Ebling-Artz, Schoolyard Gardens Program Director
hannah{at}kccg.org
Kansas City Community Gardens is located at:
6917 Kensington
Kansas City, MO 64132
Giving Grove Assistant (AmeriCorps)
Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, has an opening for a Giving Grove Assistant (AmeriCorps). KCCG has assisted low-income persons and community organizations in the metropolitan area to produce food from garden plots located in backyards, vacant lots, and at community sites for over 35 years. Our Giving Grove program helps over 175 sites plant, maintain and harvest fruits, berries, and nuts in community orchards to address food insecurity in our community. KCCG is also home to the Beanstalk Children’s Garden, a unique field trip destination for kids of all ages to see, touch, smell and taste food right from the garden.
Position Description: Giving Grove Assistant (AmeriCorps)
The Giving Grove Assistant will serve with The Giving Grove Community Engagement Coordinator to engage a diverse set of communities within the Kansas City metropolitan area to promote the growing, sharing, and distribution of Giving Grove produce amongst the neighborhood or community. Key aspects of this role will include the support of 1) outreach, 2) community engagement, 3) education 4) neighborhood orchard installations, 5) research, 6) data entry, and 7) supporting our social media activities.
The outreach will include attending various community events which will require flexibility in schedule. This includes building relationships with neighborhoods of need to identify potential new community orchard sites. The community engagement activities are designed to build strong neighborhood involvement in the orchard including proper maintenance and full utilization of the orchard harvest. Education is a critical service that our program provides free of charge to stewards and apprentices. We also envision teaching orchard curriculum that can be utilized in our new demonstration orchard, as well as in classrooms around the city. In the fall and spring, the role includes assisting with neighborhood orchard installations. During the winter months, the role will include internet research and data entry. On an ongoing basis, the role may include assisting with the development of content for our social media activities.
Specific areas supported by the Giving Grove Assistant include:
- Assist with identification and vetting of new Giving Grove opportunities
- Assist with installation of new Giving Grove orchard projects
- Assist with Giving Grove nursery and community orchard maintenance
- Support social media posts including taking pictures and creating educational content
- Assist in relationship building and community engagement around community orchard sites
- Support communications to volunteers for orchard related maintenance events (fruit thinning, harvest, food distribution, market sales to generate income for the orchard supplies, etc.)
- Engage in community communications such as flyering, door-knocking, emailing, phoning
- Attend community meetings/programs to deepen relationships with various community stakeholders
- Assist with Giving Grove newsletter through content creation and writing articles
- Facilitate instruction of standards-based school orchard curriculum
- Assist with keeping up-to-date data production charts
- Support KCCG front office customer service.
Qualifications Desired:
- Interest or experience in helping low-income families gain access to healthy food
- Interest in nutrition
- Ability to organize and motivate people
- Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing
- Ability to work independently
- Knowledgeable in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint
- Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license
This is an AmeriCorps position provided in conjunction with Missouri River Communities Network. Therefore, the following stipulations apply.
- If offered this position, applicant must complete an online eGrants "My AmeriCorps" application before July 15, 2019.
- Applicant must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma (or 17 and working on a GED). There is no upper age limit.
- Applicant must complete 1,720 hours of service, which is approximately 32 hours a week, including some evening and Saturday hours, for 12 months. Position starts on or around August 5, 2019 and ends July 31, 2020. AmeriCorps members are allowed (with permission) to hold another job.
- AmeriCorps training is tentatively scheduled in Columbia, Missouri on Monday, August 5, 2019 through Friday, August 9, 2019.
- Applicant must pass the FBI criminal Background Check and the National Sexual Offender Registry.
- Attendance is expected at quarterly Missouri River Communities Network- Healthy Food AmeriCorps meetings with locations in Kansas City and Columbia, MO.
In return, AmeriCorps will provide:
- A "living allowance" of $13,732 for the year, paid in monthly increments (taxable income)
- An "education award" of $6,095 upon successfully completing the required hours
- ACA Health Care during the one year of service
- Eligibility for subsidized child care
- Eligibility for US Government Student Loan Forbearance
To Apply:
Send a cover letter and resume to:
Amanda Lindahl, Giving Grove Community Engagement Coordinator
amanda{at}kccg.org
Kansas City Community Gardens is located at:
6917 Kensington Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64132