2023 AmeriCorps VISTA Shares Distribution Summer Associate Job Description
 

Position

Feeding Laramie Valley Shares Distribution Summer Associate

Start and End Dates

June 5, 2023 to August 16, 2023 (Ability to commit to the entire 10-week season with some holiday, weekend, and/or evening work as required. There is occasional flexibility in the schedule with the supervisor's advance approval.)

Position Overview

A Feeding Laramie Valley (FLV) Shares Summer Associate (SA) will serve as a community-based activist and advocate for group and individual efforts to promote local food security and equity in Albany County, Wyoming. The Shares Distribution Summer Associate will assist in the weekly distribution of grown, purchased, and donated produce to individuals experiencing food insecurity, act as a liaison between FLV and community members, educate the public on Feeding Laramie Valley's Shares program and our food production sites, and assist with the Shares Production team throughout the week including tasks such as planting/ transplanting, weeding, harvesting, watering, wash and prep.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• team members are expected to work with volunteers independently and in a leadership capacity.

• washing and sorting produce in preparation for Shares Distribution (process occurs 2 – 3 times/week) to distribute the highest quality produce.

• attend meetings and training as arranged with the Food Production and Distribution Director and Shares Distribution Assistant Manager. 

• regularly and safely lift to 50 lbs. with proper body mechanics.

• precision to detail and maintaining quality control for the produce that we distribute.

• help plan and implement the weekly Distribution of grown, purchased, and donated produce to individuals experiencing food insecurity and participate in various public FLV events.

• communicating with community members, Shares participants, and the public regularly and

• assist in setting up and staffing the FLV booth at Farmers Markets occasional Friday afternoons from mid-July through August. Tasks include: 

  • educating the public on Feeding Laramie Valley's Shares program and food production sites

  • enlisting Farmers Market vendors to donate food at the end of the market

  • weighing and recording food donations from vendors and the public

  • caring for and enhancing booth design elements

• participate in the planning and execution of FLV-sponsored events and such as Food and Fun in the Park

Food Production and Gardening

• as occasionally needed, assist FLV Food Production Team with fieldwork, including planting, transplanting, weeding, watering, field prep, harvesting

• assist in perennial and education gardens, including potential education tours with students and the general public

Scheduling
FLV Shares Distribution Summer Associate Hours
June 5 - August 16, 2023

Monday - Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Thursdays for on-site Shares Distribution: 11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Fridays for Downtown Laramie Farmers Market: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

1-hour lunch break provided each day

Schedule may vary for FLV weekend events - advance notice given for schedule changes.

Additional Requirements 

All FLV staff, interns, and volunteers are subject to background checks. In addition, a copy of a current driver's license record will be required to drive on behalf of FLV. At this time, we continue to track COVID-19 activity and adjust prevention and management practices as is advisable to help promote the health and safety of our community.

 

Contact information for 2 individuals familiar with the applicant's general work skills and experience  must be provided with the application. A resume may also be included but is not required. 

 

Application

Essay and interview required, resumes are optional, 2 references are required. Applicants are asked to write a narrative of interest in the position, including experiences with community and other gardening work; and/or other experiences with social justice projects. In this narrative, please describe why this position interests you, what relevant experience you may have, and why you would be a good fit for FLV. In addition, applicants may wish to include a statement on how you view this experience, enhancing your personal and professional goals. Food service, gardening or farm/ranch experience is valued but by no means necessary; this would be an excellent opportunity for an aspiring food systems activist or anyone who is passionate, hardworking, and willing to try something challenging yet rewarding! Online application is found here. Alternative application methods are detailed below.

 

Compensation


• Living allowance for 10 weeks ($675 paid bi-weekly).

• Segal Education Award with Completion of Service, approximately $1,311

(Note: the Segal Education Award can be used for tuition as well as qualifying student loans.)

- or - End of Service Award/Cash stipend approximately $345.

• Weekly FLV Shares produce bag.

• Free made-from-scratch lunch Monday through Friday beginning June 12.

• Use of personal garden plot is available for the season, seeds and tool use included.

• Free participation in any summer Higher Ground Community Learning class.

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For More Information and to Apply 
Apply online here. Alternatively you may email a completed, printed copy of the application, your narrative of interest and contact information for 2 references to the Food Distribution Manager, Frankie Thorne, shares@feedinglaramievalley.org (please use the email subject line: 2023 VISTA Summer Associate – Shares Distribution). You may mail your complete application package to Frankie Thorne, Feeding Laramie Valley, P.O. Box 536, Laramie, WY 82073, or drop it off at 968 N. 9th Street, Laramie, M-F, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

A resume may also be included but is not required.

Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be set up on a rolling basis. The application deadline is Friday, March 24, 2023, for consideration for the 2023 AmeriCorps VISTA Shares Production Summer Associate - Feeding Laramie Valley.