Utah Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Individual Placement

Youth Garden Project

Assistant Grower & Volunteer Lead

Term of Service: 675-hour term; approximately April 1 – August 12, 2026

Location: Moab, UT

Service Schedule: approximately 35 hours/week

Questions about the Position: contact Ben Menard, Farm Manager ben@youthgardenproject.org

Submit an application at: https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ePcvaWGqG7GtVdQ

ABOUT THE UTAH CONSERVATION CORPS (UCC)

The Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) is an AmeriCorps program dedicated to developing the conservation leaders of tomorrow. We engage in projects throughout the state of Utah that address goals relating to environmental conservation, building leadership, strengthening education on local issues, providing hands-on training and skills to members, all while building the next generation of America’s workforce. Our vision is to create thriving communities and conserve the natural heritage of Utah and the Intermountain West. The UCC supports Utah’s pride in our tradition of service and volunteerism to get things done.

PARTNERING ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Youth Garden Project (YGP) is a non-profit garden-based education and community gardening organization located in the heart of Moab, Utah. YGP's mission is to cultivate healthy children, families, and community through educational programs and connecting people with food from seed to table. The garden is located on 1.5 acres adjacent to Grand County High School and includes two outdoor classroom spaces, a chicken coop, a historic home (which serves as our office), a commercial kitchen, three greenhouses, over 75 garden beds, and an orchard. YGP grows over 3,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables per year, and plays a pivotal role in Grand County's community food system.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Assistant Grower & Volunteer Lead will assist YGP's Farm Manager in day-to-day operations of the farm and greenhouse facilities. Working alongside YGP's farm team, this member will learn how to effectively lead volunteer crews with farm duties such as planting, weeding, and harvesting. This position will provide an introduction to many of the basics of produce farming, experience in leading volunteers of all ages, and to the challenges of organic desert farming with an emphasis on sustainability. The work of the Assistant Grower and Volunteer Lead will directly contribute to community food security, and provide opportunities for over 1,000 Utah kids to gain hands-on, garden-based education experiences throughout their term. The position is a 675-hour AmeriCorps member who will serve between April 1 and August 12, 2026 (approximately). This position will be supervised by Ben Menard, Farm Manager.

PRIMARY DUTIES (80 % DIRECT SERVICES)

The Assistant Grower and Volunteer Lead AmeriCorps member will support the Youth Garden Project's production efforts. Primary duties include:

• harvesting for Community Supported Agriculture shareholders, food pantry donations, wholesale orders, and on-site programming;
• processing and preservation of produce;
• pruning, fertilizing, and trellising vegetables;
• seeding and transplanting; weeding and organic pest management;
• drip irrigation set-up and maintenance; compost production;
• caring for animals (chickens, rabbits, and fish);
• working alongside individual volunteers and volunteer groups to help educate them on organic gardening and sustainability practices;
• support bi-weekly "Weed 'n' Feed" evening volunteer events;
• support the development and facilitation of service-learning curriculum for volunteer groups;
• lead garden-based activities for youth day camps;
• support three to five community events, including the spring plant sale, gardening workshops, and seed-to-table dinners
• develop a data tracking plan and collect and report AmeriCorps impact data timely and accurately.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES (20% maximum time served can be member development and training)

• Attend required USERVE Volunteer Management sessions.
• Attend required USERVE Member Gatherings and Active Engagement Retreats.
• Complete required UCC Orientation Modules.
• The AmeriCorps member will receive training in: organic gardening standards for zone 7b; greenhouse management; water conservation best practices; Good Agricultural Practices for safe distribution and consumption of fresh foods; volunteer engagement; CPR & First Aid certification; Utah Food Handler certification; garden-based learning principles for youth & community members; gardening equipment/power tool use and maintenance; Google Workspace tools.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

AmeriCorps Requirements (all below required):

• Be a United States citizen, U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Eligible to serve in an AmeriCorps State/National term. Please note that AmeriCorps rules limit the number of education awards an individual may earn. No member may earn more than the aggregate value of two (2) full-time education awards.
• It is a requirement to obtain a high school diploma or GED before one is eligible to use the Education Award.
• Candidates must submit to and pass a background check.
• Full-day schedules will include a 30-minute lunch break that does NOT count toward term of service hours.

Position Specific Requirements:

• Strong interest in working at an educational garden and furthering the mission of the Youth Garden Project
• Ability to communicate effectively and positively with staff, children, and community members
• Ability to work in summer temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Basic knowledge of plants and gardening preferred, but not required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

. This AmeriCorps member will receive the following benefits:

• $9,100.00 living allowance is divided and paid in even bimonthly (TWICE per month) disbursements throughout the term of service. Note: this is taxable income.
• $2,817.14 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (available to members after successful service term)
• Federal, student loan forbearance and, workers compensation for all members. More information can be found here.
• Access to fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden when available.
• Though YGP does not provide housing for AmeriCorps members at this time, our staff and board are able to offer assistance in finding housing leads.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit an application at https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ePcvaWGqG7GtVdQ

Research shows that candidates often don’t apply for positions if they are unsure if they meet all the position qualifications and skillsets. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested!

You will be asked to submit a cover letter addressed to Ben Menard, a resume, and 2-3 professional references. Please have these available when you apply.

Please indicate if you are bilingual in English and Spanish on your resume (optional).

Equal Opportunity Program

Utah Conservation Corps is an equal opportunity program. Utah Conservation Corps and Utah State University do not discriminate or tolerate discrimination based on an individual’s identity. UCC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for application and service with our programs.

To request reasonable accommodation please visit https://www.usu.edu/hr/current- employees/ada/

UCC’s Zero Tolerance Policies

The following behaviors will result in immediate termination. At no time may the UCC AmeriCorps member:

• Engage in activities that pose a significant emotional or physical safety risk to others, including harassment, creating a hostile work environment, or bullying
• Possess, consume, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during the performance of service activities or while living and working at the UCC project site, campsite, or in UCC vehicles (which includes showing up to work hungover)
• Fail to notify the UCC of a criminal arrest or conviction during their term of service.

AmeriCorps Members as Team Leaders. Programs may create positions where AmeriCorps members provide an additional layer of leadership and support for members under certain conditions. All the activities and prohibitions that apply to AmeriCorps members also apply to Team Leaders. Team Leaders are not permitted to act in a staff capacity, including supervising members. Team Leaders must not be responsible for program development and coordination; however, they may assist by providing information and resources on best practices or by helping to develop portions of the program such as the training curriculum. Under no circumstances should an AmeriCorps member serving as a Team Leader be the individual legally responsible for the program or other members.

Unallowable Team Leader activities include: signing member timesheets; evaluating member performance; disciplining AmeriCorps members; enrolling/dismissing AmeriCorps members; writing and/or signing program reports; managing the program’s payroll and budget.

Submit an application at https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ePcvaWGqG7GtVdQ