Climate Corps Local Food Ambassador

Position/Title:  Local Food Ambassador

Full Time (40 hours/week) - This is a 10 months long position

Estimated Start and End Date:  September 2024 - July 2025

**Fellows must be a Maryland State High School graduate, and have graduated within the past 3 years.

Position Summary:

Alongside the Civic Works’ Real Food Farm staff, the Local Food Ambassador will play an important role in advancing Real Food Farm’s mission to expand access to healthy food and experience-based education for community members within Baltimore’s Healthy Food Priority areas. This individual will actively participate in food distribution via the Mobile Farmers Market, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and the Affordable Produce Delivery Program. They will also support food production activities at the urban farm site such as planting and crop maintenance. 

The Local Food Ambassador will also have the opportunity to support capacity building efforts for the Real Food Farm program, including the following:

• Community Engagement: Engaging with organizations, community members and volunteers and serving as an ambassador to further increase awareness and education about Civic Works’ Real Food Farm programs, and sustainable farming practices. This also includes outreach through Real Food Farm’s food access programs, through farm education programs and events, and at local markets. The Food Ambassador will also attend outreach and tabling events. 

• Program Planning and Development: Collaborate with program staff to plan for the upcoming growing season and farm-based educational programming. This includes curriculum development, event planning, volunteer recruitment, and Food Safety Plan modification to reflect the new distribution space. 

Organization and Program Description:

Civic Works strengthens Baltimore’s communities through education, skills development, and community service.  Civic Works’ goals are to Build Brighter Futures through education and job training, grow Healthy Food and Green Communities, and create Safe and Affordable Housing. 

Real Food Farm works toward a just and sustainable food system by improving neighborhood access to healthy food, providing experience-based education, and developing an economically viable, environmentally responsible local agriculture sector. Since 2009, Real Food Farm has grown over 60,000 lbs of food and educated over 3,000 people.

Days / Hours of Service: 

40 Hours per Week (Monday-Friday; 8am-4pm), 12pm-8pm on Market Days

Benefits

• During the Service Term, Fellows will receive the following benefits:

  • Fellows will earn $15/hour in the form of a bi-weekly stipend.

  • Full-time benefits including health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance and paid time off. 

  • Fellows will commit to full-time 40 hours per week employment, including paid professional development

  • Fellows will work closely with Civic Works’ Member Development department to  receive the support necessary to succeed in the program— professional development, job training, mentoring, career exploration and other support from training on resume building, mock interviews, to equity, inclusion, and project management/leadership.

  • Hands on training in how to properly use farm tools, equipment, along with basic instruction in urban farming.

  • Practical application opportunities leading community members and volunteer groups to conceptualize, create, and maintain smaller urban gardens.

  • Fellows will participate in training activities throughout their term in order to improve their skills and understanding of sustainable urban farming practices. 

• Upon completion of the Service Term, Fellows will receive the following benefits:

  • Fellows will receive $6,000 in a Maryland 529 account or as a cash stipend

  • Fellows will receive continued support from Civic Works with the following soft skills:

    • Mentoring & Career Planning Support

    • Resume Building & Review

    • Job Coaching & Referrals

Essential Functions of Position: 

• Assisting with food production and farming tasks, planting and crop maintenance, as well as food packing assembly and distribution.

• Attending community outreach events, and building partnerships with community members and other organizations.

• Actively participate in team meetings 

• Maintaining cleanliness of food packing, food storage, distribution vehicle spaces and equipment

Additional Non-Essential Duties:

• Supporting program and curriculum development to increase experience-based training opportunities in urban farming.

• Helping to recruit and engage volunteers

• Assisting with data tracking of food distribution and community engagement activities 

• Support the development of content for social media and other platforms

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Fellows must be a Maryland State High School graduate, and have graduated within the past 3 years.

• Strong interest in food systems, farming, nutrition, public health, and/or the environment.

• Must be and remain drug free during the term.

• Ability to lift 40 lbs.

• Willingness to serve in all types of weather conditions: (rain, heat, wind, and cold).

• Willingness to learn, teach, and share with fellow members and community.

• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and experience driving in Baltimore.

DESIRED (but not needed):

• Experience working or volunteering with a nonprofit, community engagement or climate work is a plus. Past farming, and field experience is a plus.