Serve as an AmeriCorps Individual Placement for Washington Service Corps' Environmental Stewardship Program at King Conservation District (KCD)! Help increase access to healthy, local foods for communities furthest from opportunity throughout King County and provide training opportunities to increase knowledge around healthy soil and water. Support KCD's Community Agriculture Program by installing community gardens, promoting best gardening practices, and providing meaningful educational and engagement opportunities for communities. 

King Conservation District provides expertise and resources to community-based agriculture projects to promote and support the voluntary stewardship of natural resources and expand the ability of communities to grow and distribute their own food. Community Agriculture services include educational events and workshops, outreach and engagement opportunities, access to free resources such as compost and cover crop seeds, technical support, networking opportunities, and "Seed Money" grants. We are committed to focusing our resources on historically underserved areas throughout King County to combat food insecurity and historic inequities. 

The Community Agriculture Specialist will improve the ability of King County urban residents to grow, distribute, and access nourishing food by connecting them to education, financial, and technical assistance offered by King Conservation District. This position will support the installation of community gardens and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices, facilitate volunteer events, represent KCD at outreach events, and develop resources and deliver trainings for community members to promote best practices and natural resource stewardship. 

The ideal candidate for this position is well-organized, self-motivated, and committed to improving food access for adults and youth of all backgrounds, including historically underrepresented communities. They should possess strong written and verbal communication skills (including public speaking), have experience or basic understanding of farming and/or gardening, have experience or interest in planning and facilitating events, easily and meaningfully engage others, embrace diversity and equity, and collaborate across teams of staff, partners, and volunteers to achieve goals and objectives. This is an AmeriCorps national service position and includes service requirements all Washington Service Corps members are required to complete. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

The following list of duties is intended as an illustration of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the responsibilities of the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. 

Community Agriculture Program (45%) 

• Participate as an active member of the KCD Farm Services Program, working as a team to develop and implement programming and attending regular staff meetings, trainings, and various events.
• Support in the planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of new community agriculture projects.
• Help in the installation of agricultural best practices at partner sites, such as raised garden beds, pollinator gardens, fruit orchards, drip irrigation, etc.
• Coordinate the distribution of free resources to community gardens, including cover o o o crop seeds, compost, and culturally relevant seed starts.
• Assist with special projects to support community agriculture throughout King County, such as the creation of a community garden map tool. 

Outreach and Education (40%)

• Help facilitate educational events, such as tours, workshops, webinars, and more.
• Build outreach and instructional materials to support community agriculture projects.
• Represent KCD at outreach events to recruit community agriculture partners, including some weekends and evenings.
• Coordinate volunteer events in support of community agriculture projects.
• Utilize social media, direct outreach, and print media to market community agriculture services, with a focus on outreach to underserved communities.
• Strengthen partnerships with non-profits, agencies, and community groups to advance common goals of improving food security. 

AmeriCorps Program (15%) 

• Complete national service program requirements including community service projects based around National Days of Service.
• Provide environmental education and training to participants across the NW Region.
• Complete required member trainings focused on cultural awareness, effective communication, leadership, and more!
• Complete quarterly stories of service.
• Correspond regularly with site staff and WSC Coordinator. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES 

• Experience and/or education in a related field, such as: horticulture, agriculture, environmental science, stewardship, etc.
• Creative, collaborative, and self-motivated.
• Strong commitment and interest in equity, inclusion, and justice.
• Organized with strong written and oral communication skills. 
• Experience planning and facilitating events.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License, and able to drive large vehicles.
• Able to work outside in all weather conditions, navigate on unstable terrain, operate hand and small power tools, and lift and carry up to 40 lbs. 

LOCATION

Based out of King Conservation District office (800 SW 39th St, Suite 150, Renton, WA 98057). Travel to various locations through King County and occasionally throughout the state.

SERVICE TERM

The service term for this position will be 10.5 months, from 10/16/24 to 8/31/25. 

SCHEDULE

KCD currently supports a hybrid work environment with 2 days required in office each week. This position is full-time, with a flexible schedule around program needs. Some weekday evening & weekend days are required each month for events. We allow for flexible schedule to accommodate for occasional evening & weekend work (e.g., If we host a Saturday event, you may opt for a Tuesday Saturday work week & Sunday/Monday weekend).