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Garden Fellow

This position will provide the fellow 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, he/she 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. Fellows are a vital part of the Capital Area Food Bank.

The Garden Fellow will work closely with the Food Growing Education 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. The fellow will also support the Food Growing Education Specialist with administrative tasks related to our partners and clients.
 
Essential Functions:

Garden Maintenance and Program Support - (75%) 
  • Assist Food Growing Education Specialist with regular garden maintenance and seasonal tasks as needed, including but not limited to weeding, watering, organic pest management, harvesting, and more. 
  • Assist with workshops/classes in the Urban Demonstration Garden and Urban Food Studio. 
  • Help maintain the Food for Brighter Futures garden closet, Urban Food Studio kitchen, greenhouse, and tool shed. 
  • Assist with seed/ling give-a-ways. 
  • Promote and support food growing and nutrition education programs. 
  • Survey administration and data entry. 

Material development and distribution (20%) 
  • Design and distribute food growing and nutrition education materials as needed. 
  • Call and email partners in DC, MD, and VA to process seed donation and garden assistance requests, and other communications. 
  • Prepare seed packets and seedlings for donations, including packing boxes to include with deliveries, and directly mailing out.
 
Miscellaneous - (5%) 
  • Assist other departments with food growing and nutrition education goals across the organization. 
  • Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Position Requirements:
  • 6 months or more of volunteer or work-related experience in gardening, or commitment to learn and practice gardening to successfully support food growing goals at CAFB.  
  • Proficiency with basic computer software programs (including MS Word). 
  • Must follow COVID-19 safety precautions and mandates on and off site.  
  • Ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of a team. 

Other Skills and Abilities:
  • Garden and/or nutrition education-related knowledge/experience/background preferred. 
  • Experience working with the target audience (limited resources) preferred. 
  • Comfort with and sincere interest in growing food and gardening.  
  • Experience in education or other relevant work experience preferred. 
  • Ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with the supervisor.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:
  • Ability to lift/carry 30 pounds. 
  • Ability to participate in physical garden-related activities such as crouching, pushing and dumping wheelbarrows, digging, and more. 
  • Willingness to work outside in all types of weather, including humid and extremely hot temperatures, rain, and are comfortable getting dirty. 
  • This position’s main office will be at the Urban Demonstration Garden, located at the DC Office in NE, Washington DC. 
  • Ability to travel to our partner sites throughout the DMV as needed. 

Reporting:
  • This role reports to the Food Growing Education Specialist 

Schedule:
  • This role will be required to report on-site for approximately 20 hours a week 
  • Wednesday and Friday availability preferred 

 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. 

EOE 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.