Education and Outreach Assistant

Education and Outreach Assistant

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, Richmond, Vermont

Do you have a passion for local and organic food, farming, community building, and education? Join our growing and dedicated team! Help us build an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just Vermont agricultural system. Learn about a range of topics, including educational event planning, climate resilient farming, communications & marketing, food security, land stewardship, and volunteer management. Visit diverse farms across the state! Put your skills to use by supporting our event series and representing NOFA-VT in our community.

This position is part of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board AmeriCorps (VHCB AmeriCorps).  The VHCB AmeriCorps program supports the innovative dual-goal approach to creating stable affordable housing opportunities for Vermont residents while preserving the natural and working landscape.  VHCB AmeriCorps is a national service program that places members with non-profit housing or land and energy conservation organizations around the state.

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont promotes organic practices to build an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just Vermont agricultural system that benefits all living things. Founded in 1971, NOFA-VT is a member-based organization and runs programs in the following areas: farmer services, local food access and market development, advocacy, engagement & education, and Vermont Organic Farmers (a LLC that provides organic certification to VT farm and food businesses). This position is a core member of the engagement team, helping to implement educational, outreach, and relationship-building events.

Essential Functions:

• Support community and educational event planning and execution, including NOFA-VT’s annual winter conference, seasonal workshops, and on-farm pizza socials
• Research topics and presenters, reach out to potential presenters and event hosts
• Be a core part of the conference planning team for 5-6 months of the service term, assisting with the exhibitors fair, educational workshop development, volunteer coordination
• Help craft written event descriptions for the website and print materials
• Perform other behind-the-scenes computer & office-based educational event planning and coordination tasks in the weeks and months leading up to workshops and events
• Support NOFA-VT educational and community events, including travel, set up, content delivery, and clean up
• Regularly represent NOFA-VT at community and partner outreach events (1-4 per month), including tabling to grow awareness about our mission and local, organic farming in general (examples include attending harvest festivals, the Vermont Farm Show, Flower Show, health fairs, or tabling at food co-operatives around the state)
• Help coordinate volunteers to meet event needs
• Attend regular NOFA-VT staff and team meetings, including bi-monthly staff meetings, bi-monthly Engagement team meetings, and quarterly JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, inclusion) committee meetings
• Participate in an Independent Service Project under the guidance of VHCB AmeriCorps
• Participate in all VHCB AmeriCorps Trainings, Service Days, Events, and Program Initiatives.
• Engage in professional and personal development activities and networking opportunities.

Additional Information:

The NOFA-VT office is located in Richmond, VT. Staff are currently using hybrid schedules with some office time and some remote. AmeriCorps member must reside in or relocate to Vermont for this position.

Position begins September 9th, 2024 and ends August 8th, 2025.

This position is Full Time: Requires 1,720 hours for an average of 40 hours per week for 47 weeks. Member will receive a living allowance of $30,000 (pre-tax) for the service term. Member will receive an education award of $7,395 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of service. 

Other benefits include health insurance, federal school loan forbearance, and various training and networking opportunities.

To Apply: https://vhcb.org/our-programs/vhcb-americorps/positions

For questions about this position or to send additional materials:

Erin Buckwalter, 802-434-7152

[email protected]

14 Pleasant St. Richmond, VT 05477

Application deadline: August 4th, 2024. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; open until filled.

Additional information on the AmeriCorps is available at www.americorps.gov.