Position Summary

Civic Works, Inc. seeks an individual with a demonstrated passion for youth education, food justice, community development and the environment to coordinate Baltimore Orchard Project Youth Education program. Schoolyard orchards require stewardship and student participation to care for and harvest the trees. The Youth Education Coordinator will develop curriculum involving science, art, and culture to teach students how to properly care for their orchards.

Daily tasks will include teaching classes’ k12, writing curriculum, designing schoolyard landscapes, collaborating within the BOP team and developing BOP’s educational partnerships. The position is based out of two locations the Clifton Park Farm Office of Real Food Farm (also a program of Civic Works) and the Homewood Friends Meeting House in Charles Village. Regular travel is required.

Primary Responsibilities:
• Develop Orchard Curriculum for varying ages of students with BOP educational partners (Green Street Academy, US Forest Service, Creative City School, Stuart Hill Academy, McDonough School, and more)
• Integrate Orchard Ecosystem Education into Baltimore City schools, after school programs, religious educational programs, and youth groups
• Collaborate with BOP’s Youth Education Team (Youth Education Coordinator, MICA CAC Artist in Residence, Creative City School’s AmeriCorps Member)
• Support Baltimore City School teachers’ use of the school landscape in their regular teaching hours.
• Assist with Great Kids Farm’s (GKF) ongoing orchard education
• Plan and teach two educational summits at the GKF location
• Manage conversations with school administrators and hold activities with students through the pre-planting process
• Organize implementation of landscape adjustments decided upon by school community
• Provide technical support for ongoing orchard maintenance in school yards

Qualifications:
• Has previous experience with outdoor or environmental education
• Ability to effectively manage children’s behavioral issues
• Possesses strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Car and valid driver’s license preferred (but not required) (mileage is reimbursed)
• Possesses desire and ability to take initiative
• Ability to serve with a wide variety of communities
• Must be able to serve independently and as part of a team

Hours:
40 hours a week for a completion of a 1700 AmeriCorps term from Oct 1, 2016 through August 2017.

Terms of Service

The AmeriCorps member will receive a biweekly stipend of $680 and an educational award of $5,775.00 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 nonreligious 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.

The list above is a summary, for detailed prohibited activities go to the following link: http://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/acprohibited_activities.pdf

How to Apply

First, apply for the position through AmeriCorps by visiting my.americorps.gov to login or create a My AmeriCorps account and search listings for Baltimore Orchard Project.

Next, please send a cover letter and resume to eric@baltimoreorchard.org. Applications are due by September 14, 2016.

If you have questions about the position or the Baltimore Orchard Project please email info@baltimoreorchard.org or call 4435628483.