Title: Cooking Matters AmeriCorps Member

Department: Community Nutrition

Reports to: Community Nutrition Programs Manager

 Foodlink, the regional food bank located in Rochester, NY and serving 10 counties, is seeking an enthusiastic, highly-motivated individual to help manage and expand Cooking Matters programming as part of our Community Nutrition Education Programs. Foodlink partners with the national nonprofit Share Our Strength (strength.org) to offer Cooking Matters programming to our network of agencies. Foodlink is committed to building a hunger-free community and a sustainable regional food system by distributing food to a network of agencies and empowering individuals through nutritional and agricultural programs.

 The ideal candidate for this AmeriCorps position is someone who values education, collaboration, and innovation and cares deeply about addressing the problems of hunger and poverty in the community.

The AmeriCorps member will work with Foodlink staff to implement effective hands-on courses that teach families at risk of hunger that healthy cooking and eating can be delicious, enjoyable and affordable.

 Responsibilities:

Administration (15%)

• Help to manage local online database of volunteers, supporters, partner agencies, etc
• Work with Nutrition Education Coordinator to support Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters national office, efforts as needed
• Meet all AmeriCorps reporting requirements and complete a 3 month and exit month member performance evaluation and other Cooking Matters AmeriCorps reporting documentation as necessary.
• Assist with the development of Cooking Matters outreach materials and handouts for Cooking Matters participants, as needed.

 Course Coordination (40%)

• Participate in actively seeking out and working with sites within the emergency food network to host Cooking Matters courses.
• Complete all necessary preparations for Cooking Matters classes including, but not limited to, grocery shopping, assembling class materials and transportation of equipment.
• Coordinate courses in-class, facilitating classroom activities and lending support to volunteer instructors.
• Develop and implement the Shopping Matters curriculum at local grocery stores.

 Volunteer Management (30%)

• Assist in the management of local Cooking Matters volunteer program including: volunteer recruitment, training, responsibility delegation, retention and appreciation. Specifically:
  • Recruit and maintain relationships with Cooking Matters volunteer chefs, nutritionists and course assistants.
  • Assist in providing training sessions for course volunteers, including course instructors. Help coordinator provide volunteer instructors with materials and information needed to teach classes and make sure volunteers follow procedures.
  • Work with local Cooking Matters host sites to plan and execute high quality Cooking Matters courses. Provide sites with materials and information needed to host Cooking Matters courses, making sure they follow program procedures.
  • Help with special events such as volunteer appreciation/recognition events.

 Miscellaneous (15%)

• Maintain a high level of working knowledge related to nutrition standards, regulations, and trends.
• Collaborate with other Foodlink departments, as necessary, to ensure high quality service to individuals within our network of agencies.
• Collaborate with Kids Cafe, Summer Meals sites, Emergency Food Programs, and other organizations to schedule Cooking Matters courses,

 Critical Skills:

• Excellent oral and written skills and ease in talking to the public
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member
• Flexible, resourceful, and adaptable to unexpected situations
• Well organized, detail oriented, and able to successfully multi-task.
• Proficient computer skills (including Microsoft Suite)
• Certified Food Handler (ServSafe) preferred
• Ability and willingness to travel to different neighborhoods in Rochester, NY (car preferred)
• Good driving record, reliable transportation, and driver’s license
• Fluency in Spanish and/or other languages a plus
• CPR and First-Aid training, or a willingness to acquire training

 Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 17 years of age
• High school diploma or GED required, Bachelors preferred.
• Experience working with youth and/or adults in formal and/or informal education programs
• Strong interest and/or educational background in nutrition, cooking, culinary arts, health and wellness, health education, food systems, and food access
• Employment contingent on successful passing of drug test and criminal background search (including a FBI finger print based criminal history check).
• Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive. AmeriCorps member in this job will follow other instructions and perform other related duties as required.

 

The AmeriCorps Member will receive basic health care coverage, a pre-tax living allowance of $12,262 over the course of the term of service, training, child care (based on income eligibility), and an AmeriCorps education award of $5,350 upon successful completion of minimum 1700 hours of service within a 12-month period.

 Application

Please submit resume and cover letter to:

 Human Resources

1999 Mt. Read Blvd.

Rochester, NY 14615

hr@foodlinkny.org

(585) 328-3380

 Position to start: May-June, 2013

Only serious candidates should apply. Only successful candidates will be contacted.