Overview: The AmeriCorps VISTA Food Access Program Developer will increase nutritional food access for low-income communities through building the capacity of programming at the Vancouver Farmers Market and developing organizational systems for the Vancouver Farmers Market Foundation. To learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA service visit: https://americorps.gov/serve/fit-finder/americorps-vista

Compensation & Schedule: AmeriCorps VISTA is a full time (35-40 hours per week) one-year service term starting on 4/12/2021 and ending 4/11/2022. The VISTA member will receive a living allowance (monthly stipend paid bi-weekly), relocation allowance, choice of Education Award or end of service stipend, health coverage and childcare assistance if eligible. Must be able to work on Saturdays, Sundays and occasional weeknights.

Responsibilities:

• Build capacity of market programs to increase nutritional food access for low-income communities.
  • Expand Produce Pals, a program that aims to educate and inspire children to lead healthy lifestyles and Market Fresh Tours, a 1-hour shopping tour for low-income customers at the farmers market.
    • Develop curriculum
    • Transition the programs to be "COVID19 Friendly" including activities to go and virtual content
    • Conduct outreach to low-income communities and organizations/agencies who serve low-income clients to promote the program
    • Recruit and train program volunteers
    • Seek out partnerships, sponsorships and grant opportunities
    • Track and analyze program data
  • Develop the Online Market & Curbside Pickup Program and the Market Box Subscription Program.
    • Conduct outreach to low-income communities and organizations/agencies who serve low-income clients to promote discounts for SNAP customers
    • Develop a weekly customer newsletter including healthy recipes and storage tips
    • Recruit and train program volunteers
    • Track and analyze program data
    • Assist with program coordination including customer and vendor communications
  • Help build infrastructure and develop organizational systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Vancouver Farmers Market Foundation to increase nutritional food access for low-income communities.
    • Create a set of materials to promotes the Foundation’s mission to increase nutritional food access for low-income communities.
    • Developing collaborative relationships with other organizations or individuals working to achieve similar goals in the community.
    • Research and apply for grant opportunities
    • Recruit and train volunteers
    • Organize historic records and donation data
    • Build out a donor data base
    • Assist in planning fundraising events
    • Maintain communications with Board of Directors and assist with long term planning

VISTA Eligibility Requirements

• Must be 18 years or older
• Must be able to pass a national service criminal history check
• Must hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card status), and persons legally residing within a state. Examples of persons legally residing within a state may include those holding the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout VISTA service, and holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of community food systems and passion for food access work
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Well organized; ability to set priorities, manage time appropriately and meet deadlines
• Interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
• Intermediate level experience with Microsoft Office and Excel

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to speak a second language is not required, but is a plus
• Graphic design experience is not required, but is a plus