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Children's Garden Education VISTA

Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
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Children’s Garden Education VISTA

Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture: Founded in 2009, CCUA works to enhance our community’s health by connecting people to agriculture and the land through hands-on learning opportunities from seed to plate.

AmeriCorps VISTA: Founded in 1965, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is an anti-poverty program that provides opportunities for Americans 18 years or older from a diverse range of backgrounds to dedicate a year of full-time service with an organization to create or expand programs designed to empower individuals and communities in overcoming poverty. For more info please visit: https://americorps.gov/serve/americorps/americorps-vista

Position Start and End Dates:  05/04/2026-05/03/2027 OR 06/01/2026-05/31/2027
 

Position’s hours of operation: Monday- Friday
 

Deadline to Apply: Final application date is April 9th at midnight but don’t wait! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

 

To apply, visit:  https://columbiaurbag.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/vista-2027-2027 

 

For more information contact: Katie Molitor at Katie@ColumbiaUrbanAg.Org

 

Position Description: Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture’s Youth Education program is made up of  a small team of committed individuals who provide hands-on experiences that emphasize the connection between food, health, and the environment to children of all ages. The Youth Education department works with Columbia Public Schools to implement the Farm to School programs which provides educational opportunities to students in 3rd grade classes in the Columbia Public Schools district. The Youth Education department also works with other community partners to provide hands-on learning experiences to develop a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and environmental impact food has on our communities. 


The AmeriCorps VISTA member will dedicate a year of service as a part of the Youth Education team and report to the Youth Education Program Manager to expand the capacity of the program and to provide a dynamic learning environment for students. The VISTA member will also work with the entire CCUA team during the annual Harvest Hootenanny. 

 

Duties:

  • Maintain School gardens, CCUA’s Outdoor Classroom, and Schoolhouse. May include weeding, watering, harvesting, using wheelbarrows to move compost, and using a weed wacker. 
  • Deliver lessons and activities through the Farm to School Program, Field Trips at the Agriculture Park, Summer Camp, and other events and partnerships.
  • Develop new lessons and activities for Youth Education programming
  • Collect program surveys and other data required for Youth Education Programming

Requirements:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Be able to work 40hrs/wk 
  • Be able to make a year long commitment to serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA member
  • Maintain a current status as one of the following: U.S. citizen, national, or legal resident
  • Successfully pass a background check
  • Valid Driver's License and a reliable means of traveling to the worksite (CCUA vehicles can be used after arriving onsite)
  • Ability to work some weekends and evenings
  • Interest in environmental/outdoor education
  • Ability to lead and engage a group of children
  • Personal qualities of integrity, reliability, and commitment to the mission and values of CCUA

Required Physical Qualifications: 

This position requires completing a variety of physical tasks in different weather conditions; the ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

 Requirements include: 

  • Able to safely carry 50 lbs at variable distances (generally via push cart or wheelbarrow)
  • Ability to withstand repetitive movements including: bending, reaching, shoveling, and typing
  • Frequently mobile, with or without use of ambulatory assistive devices, for long periods of time in spaces that have a variety of surface variation and ground conditions
  • Withstand being outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including high and low temps and rain
  • Remain in a stationary position, including standing or sitting, for extended periods of time
  • Comfortable with the typical distractions of a bustling, open office environment
  • Ability to use voice for long periods of time and frequently project voice in an outdoor setting 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience designing lesson plans or children’s activities 
  • Experience growing vegetables
  • Comfortable collecting and recording data
  • Experience with Google Workspace, Canva, Excel

Benefits:

  • $2,080 monthly living stipend from AmeriCorps VISTA. Totaling $24,962 /year
  • AmeriCorps health benefit plan
  • Primary Care through Big Tree Medical and Paytient
  • Your own raised bed garden space at the Agriculture Park for personal use
  • Free vegetables, plants, and seeds from the farm 
  • $200 monthly housing stipend
  • $100 of garden infrastructure materials  
  • Relocation allowance is given to those who qualify
  • Childcare allowance is given to those who qualify
  • Student loan forbearance on federal loans
  • $7,395 Segal AmeriCorps Education award OR $1,800 cash upon completion of full year of service
  • Professional Development Opportunities including job shadowing, all-staff lunch and learns, workshops, webinars, and 1 on 1 coaching
  • 25 vacation/sick days
  • 9 holidays

 Learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA benefits here: VISTA Benefits | AmeriCorps