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Cooking Matters by Share Our Strength - AmeriCorps National Direct Program

Cooking Matters is helping end childhood hunger by inspiring families to make healthy, affordable food choices. Our programs teach parents and caregivers with limited food budgets to shop for and cook healthy meals. Cooking Matters is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization working to end hunger and poverty. We offer interactive grocery store tours, hands-on cooking classes, smartphone apps and other resources - all free, and run through trusted local community partners. Cooking Matters serves families across the country and is a trusted leader in food skills education, conducting research and supporting partners that reach families in need.

AmeriCorps programs provide opportunities for Americans to make an intensive commitment to service. The AmeriCorps network of local, state, and national service programs engages more than 80,000 Americans in projects around the nation each year.

Share Our Strength is seeking two full-time AmeriCorps members to help with its Cooking Matters program in Boston, Massachusetts.

Responsibilities

The Cooking Matters AmeriCorps member will work with Cooking Matters Massachusetts staff to implement programs that teach parents and caregivers with limited food budgets to shop for and cook healthy meals. Member responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to:

Program Coordination:

• Work with chefs, nutrition educators and agency/site managers to implement courses and tours using Cooking Matters core curriculum and Cooking Matters at the Store curriculum with emphasis on serving priority audience.
• Complete all preparations for class including, but not limited to, assembling and transporting equipment, materials, and groceries, and preparing volunteer staff.
• Complete program evaluation and other program reporting documentation as necessary.

• Participate in actively seeking out, working with, and maintaining positive relationships with agencies serving low-income clients to host Cooking Matters courses and tours.

• Assist with the development of Cooking Matters outreach materials and handouts for Cooking Matters audience, as needed.

Volunteer Management and Training:

• Provide volunteer instructors with training and materials needed to teach courses and tours and make sure they follow procedures and course guidelines.
• Support and manage volunteer instructors during class to make sure they have all required materials and communicate key messages.
• Provide timely and consistent communications with volunteers.
• Identify and participate in opportunities to recruit volunteers. Build relationships with chefs, dietitians, nutritionists and other potential volunteers to maintain enough trained instructors to reach course goals.
• Provide recognition of volunteers.
• Help with special events such as volunteer appreciation/recognition events.

Administration/Miscellaneous:

• Work with supervisor to set personal goals and follow the work plan created for the AmeriCorps National Direct Member.

• Ensure all necessary course reporting is in order in database and network resource center.
• Complete additional reporting and communications contributions as required, which may include blog posts, newsletters, photographs, and volunteer and participant story gathering.
• Submit timesheets in accordance with AmeriCorps and Share Our Strength guidelines.
• Participate in national, state and other trainings as requested - some may require travel out of state.

• Maintain a high level of working knowledge related to hunger, nutrition standards, regulations, and trends.
• Collaborate with other Cooking Matters Massachusetts partners, as necessary, to ensure high quality service to individuals within our network of agencies.

TRAINING:

Cooking Matters AmeriCorps members are part of local and national Cooking Matters teams and take part in all associated training and activities. AmeriCorps members will receive orientation training from Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters staff as well as Partner Cooking Matters staff. Members will be part of a peer network of AmeriCorps members from around the nation and be a part of regular training opportunities including monthly webinars and two in-person retreats.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in a variety of office and kitchen settings inside and outside of Cooking Matters Massachusetts. Member will use computer and phones extensively. Member regularly lifts, moves and carries objects of up to 50 pounds, such as food and classroom supplies. Exposure to a variety of foods in residential, community, and industrial kitchens is to be expected. In a class or tour setting, member may stand and work at counters and stoves for extended periods of time. Normal working hours include 1-3 evenings per week and occasional weekend work. Member will drive frequently throughout the state due to work performed in the community, therefore ownership of a car is required to hold this position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 18 years of age
• High school diploma, or GED
• Interest in nutrition and/or culinary arts
• Driver's license and good driving record
• Public speaking skills
• Computer skills
• Ability to balance a variety of tasks simultaneously
• Volunteer management experience preferred
• Experience working with youth and/or adults in formal and/or informal education programs
• Enrollment contingent on successful passing of criminal background search (including a FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check).

TERMS and BENEFITS

Full-time member term: 1700 hours of service within a 12-month period. Position to start September 3 rd or 17 th, but will keep position open until it’s filled. The full-time member will receive a living allowance of $13,712, a basic health plan, training, childcare (based on income eligibility), and an AmeriCorps education award of $5,920 upon successful completion of service.

For questions about Cooking Matters AmeriCorps National Direct program, contact: Chef Ellen Damaschino, Program Manager, at edamaschino@strength.org

TO APPLY:

Submit a resume and cover letter, via email, stating why you want to take part in Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters AmeriCorps program and why you are interested in the Massachusetts position.

Email cover letters and resumes to Veronica Palladino, Program Associate, at: vpalladino@strength.org

Or visit the AmeriCorps Recruitment Site at https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/publicRequestSearch.do (Cooking Matters Program currently accepting AmeriCorps applications are listed below with contact information). Equal Opportunity Employer.