Support specialist state

Location

Lansing, MI | United States

Job description

The Ingham County Health Department is currently seeking passionate, community-minded individuals to join our '23-'24 AmeriCorps cohort!

Interns will serve as part-time AmeriCorps members at local nonprofit organizations, including Greater Lansing Food Bank. These paid positions will focus on maintaining community gardens and have opportunities to develop transferrable skills, professional networks, and knowledge of the agricultural/public health sector.

POSITION TITLE: Community Garden Support Specialist

DATES OF SERVICE TERM: Between March 25, 2024 – August 23, 2024, minimum number of hours served 450

HOST SITE: Greater Lansing Food Bank

ABOUT THE HOST SITE/ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

The Garden Project, a 40+ year program of the Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB), provides access to land, how-to education, free seeds and plants, tool lending, a networking hub and more, so that all community members can have access to fresh, healthy food through gardening opportunities. For more information, visit

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

An AmeriCorps Community Garden Support Specialist (CGSS) would provide hands-on garden support to a network of Garden Project (GP) community gardens across our seven-county service region, focused on Ingham County. Member responsibilities include infrastructure repairs, tilling, mowing, resource and tool delivery, and providing basic community garden site maintenance, all in efforts to increase garden sustainability. The CGSS will also lead volunteer groups and foster on-site community leadership to create more inclusive growing spaces. Member will model direct service as they serve alongside Garden Project staff and volunteers across many types of gardens in the region. The CGSS should be willing and interested in working with all types of people while modeling patience, kindness, flexibility, equity and respect while maintaining privacy for those we are assisting in the community.

REQUIRED ACTIVITIES:

• Engage in monthly AmeriCorps cohort meetings
• Attend AmeriCorps orientation at the Ingham County Health Department
• All members will participate in an end of service performance evaluation
• All members will be required to submit bi-weekly time sheets, quarterly data reports, and all other data tasks requested by the Host Site
• Completion of all Roles and Responsibilities specified above

ELIGIBILITY

• Be at least 17 years of age. Minors must have guardian permission. Applicants must have HS diploma, GED, or working toward the completion of one.
• U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• Agree to and pass the following checks: State of Michigan background check, FBI Fingerprinting check, and State & National Sex Offender Registry check.

Schedule

• Full year members will be required to attend:
• A mandatory training from Monday, October 3rd to Friday, October 7th.
• A monthly training and service project with the ICHD AmeriCorps cohort
• National Day of Service projects on 9/11 and MLK Day (1/16)
• Sick or personal days are allowed, but members lose possible days to earn the required number of hours needed to successfully complete the term of service. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance.

Preferred Skills

• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions,
• Able to lift 50+ pounds and an enjoyment of physical labor,
• Excellent communication skills, adaptable nature,
• Well-organized, efficient with time, with a willingness to finish projects started
• Completely trustworthy and honest with the desire to serve independently with adequate guidance and in a team setting,
• Some experience in gardening, farming, landscaping, irrigation &/or construction, (Technical knowledge of horticulture or urban agriculture a plus.)
• Computer proficiency, specifically Microsoft Office Suite,
• Some evenings and weekends required. Flexible schedule appreciated.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS:

• Members will receive a total living allowance of $5291 that is distributed bi-weekly ($355/period) from March 25, 2024 - August 23, 2024 and receive student loan forbearance for qualified loans.
• Professional development training given per program. Upon successful completion of service an education award in the amount of $ will be issued.
• Members will serve 20-25 hours/week of service for a total of 450 hours.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

ICHD AmeriCorps State is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made for interview/service as needed.

Questions? Contact: AmeriCorps State Program Coordinator, Jalen Bell, [email protected]

For more information about Ingham County Health Department’s AmeriCorps State program, visit:

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary, Internship

Pay: $7,619.00 per year

Expected hours: 10 – 25 per week

Benefits:

• Professional development assistance

Patient demographics:

• Adults
• Older adults

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Briefly answer: Are you familiar with AmeriCorps? If so, how?
• This is a paid national service position with a total living stipend of $10,000 paid over the service term; prorated for the number of weeks served. Please confirm that you understand the compensation of this term.

Work Location: In person

Job tags

Salary