About the Organization:
It is an exciting time at the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) as we continue to undertake our mission. We know that creating long term solutions to food security requires more than meals. It requires education, training, and collaboration. We are seeking people with strong ideas and a passion to come together to address the complex interrelated issues of food security, poverty, and equity. We are expanding in multiple ways: providing food for today and addressing the root causes of hunger by partnering with organizations that provide critical services like job training programs, health care and education. Food has the power to transform lives and move everyone forward. Find out how on our website at capitalareafoodbank.org. Let us discuss how food is at the center of everyone's healthy life!
Description:
The Garden Intern will work closely with the Food Growing Specialist to develop and implement several food growing and gardening initiatives in our ½ acre garden, Urban Food Studio’s outdoor kitchen, and in the community. Depending on the intern’s interest and strengths, they will have the opportunity develop, participate in, or even lead garden field trips for elementary through high school students, plan and run garden-based workshops for the broader community, support partners in developing their own garden space, or delve deeply into organic food production and garden design.
More broadly, this position will provide the intern with the opportunity to gain a strong understanding of the issues surrounding food insecurity in the DMV Area. While working with our nutrition education team, the intern will get an in-depth look into various programs and approaches that are being deployed directly by the Food Bank and indirectly through food assistance organizations to address the issue of food insecurity both in the short and longer term. The intern will also gain valuable training and experience that will allow them to confidently educate others about food growing. Interns are a vital part of the Capital Area Food Bank.
Essential Functions:
Program Support - (70%)
- Assist with regular garden maintenance and seasonal tasks as needed, including but not limited to helping manage volunteers, weeding, watering, organic pest management, and harvesting crops.
- Assist with preparation, development, and execution of food growing and garden events, including in-person workshops on site and at partner sites, virtual presentations, and regular student field trips to the garden.
- Help conduct and manage outreach to partners and schools in support of department programming.
- Survey administration and data entry.
- Help organize and maintain resources and nutrition education/garden spaces.
- Assist with other nutrition education initiatives, projects or programming as needed.
Material development, distribution, and organization (20%)
- Design and distribute nutrition education and food growing education materials as needed.
- Assist with management, tracking and distribution of nutrition education and food growing materials/resources, including harvest records, seed donations, seedling giveaways, event participation, and more.
Miscellaneous - (10%)
- Assist other departments with food growing and nutrition education goals across the organization.
- Timely and consistent expense tracking.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
- Ability to travel regularly to the primary worksite at the Capital Area Food Bank in Northeast Washington, DC
- Willingness and availability to commit to a six-month term of employment
- Ability to perform job duties outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proficiency in basic computer applications, including Microsoft Word
- Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Prior experience working with underserved or under-resourced populations
- Background in education (e.g., facilitating classes, leading workshops, or serving as a summer camp counselor) is preferred but not required
- Experience or familiarity with food cultivation and/or food justice initiatives is an asset
Other Skills, Abilities:
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage workload and priorities in coordination with a supervisor
- Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment
- Genuine interest in, and comfort with, topics related to food growing, food justice, and community gardening
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds
- Willingness and ability to participate in physically demanding, garden-related activities and to work outdoors in all weather conditions
Reporting:
- This role reports to the Food Growing Specialist, within the Nutrition Education Department at the Capital Area Food Bank.
Compensation:
- $17.50 an hour
- This position is classified as non-exempt and is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Schedule:
- This role will be required to report for approximately 20 hours a week.
- Some hybrid work may be possible.
NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
We Offer: At Capital Area Food Bank, we understand that great people make a great organization. We value our people and offer employees a broad range of benefits including competitive compensation and benefits, free onsite parking, complimentary shuttle to metro, professional development, growth, and volunteer opportunities, fun work in a diverse environment
Application Process:
- Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
EEO Statement:
Capital Area Food Bank welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for all our employees. CAFB makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, reproductive health decision making or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at CAFB. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.
