Position Summary
Civic Works’ Baltimore Orchard Project seeks an outgoing individual with a passion for food justice, community development, and the environment. The BOP AmeriCorps Community Orchard Organizer will serve community members throughout Baltimore to connect individuals, organizations, and youth groups to their neighborhood orchards and fruit trees. They will foster new relationships with potential planting partners as well as strengthen relationships with past stewardship partners.Essential Functions of Position:
• Participate in outreach, site evaluation, community organizing, designing, planting, and follow-up with BOP planting partners• Maintain and increase the number and quality of planting partnerships with neighborhood groups, faith institutions, universities and schools in Baltimore City.
• Assist in the stewardship and enhancement of existing orchard locations
• Collaborate with BOP partners to discuss and implement community engagement ideas
• Regularly attend neighborhood association meetings, networking events, block parties and service days in the communities where BOP serves
• Organize outreach and tabling events to increase the engagement of Baltimore’s community with fruit and nut trees
• Raise awareness of “ugly” or strange fruit through BOP’s funky fruit campaign
• Collaborate with other BOP Team members on carrying out community-building and awareness events (e.g. Potlucks, Mulberry Madness, Apple-anche etc.).
Desired Skills and Education:
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills• Must be able to serve independently and as part of a team
• Must possesses desire and ability to take initiative
• High school diploma or GED is required, or actively working towards obtaining a diploma/GED
• Must be and remain drug free during the term.
• Car and valid driver’s license prefered (but not required) (mileage is reimbursed)
• Must comply with AmeriCorps terms and refrain from Prohibited Activities (below) during service hours
Required Hours:
40 hours a week for a completion of a 1700 Americorps term from September 15th, 2017 through August 15th, 2018.Terms of Service:
The Americorps member will receive a biweekly stipend of $680 and an educational award of $5,815.00 upon completion of service (that can be used for college, trade school, or to repay qualified student loans). Funding for AmeriCorps members to participate in workshops and other professional development opportunities is also available. Additionally, BOP team members are welcome to take extra fruit home from harvest events. In order to be a Civic Works AmeriCorps member, you must be: at least 17 years old; a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or “lawful permanent resident alien”; and able to pass a drug test and criminal and sex offender background check.As an AmeriCorps member you may NOT participate in the following activities during service hours:
• Political Advocacy: AmeriCorps members cannot engage in political advocacy. They cannot advocate for legislation or for a political candidate in any way. They cannot conduct voter registration drives or lobby government officials at any level.
• Religious Instruction: AmeriCorps members cannot engage in religious instruction. They cannot conduct religious studies, prayer groups, pastoral counseling, or any other activity promoting or providing information about religion. This does not prohibit AmeriCorps members from participating in non-religious activities at religious meetings or services.
• Abortion Referrals: AmeriCorps members cannot provide abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services.
• Clerical Service: AmeriCorps members may engage in clerical activities, such as photocopying, stuffing envelopes or answering phones for their own project. They cannot engage in these activities in assisting another person.
• Fund Raising: AmeriCorps members cannot seek in-kind donations and assist with fundraising events, mailings, or other activities, write grants (or portions of grants) or participate in capital fund raising activities or campaigns.
How to Apply:
First, apply for the position through AmeriCorps by visiting my.americorps.gov to login or create a myAmeriCorps account and search listings for “Baltimore Orchard Project.”Next, please send a cover letter, resume and three references to eric@baltimoreorchard.org
