Sustainable Food Systems & Tool Library Resilience AmeriCorps VISTA

Salmon Valley Stewardship is hiring an AmeriCorps VISTA member for a full-time position focused on enhancing sustainable food systems and community resilience in Salmon, ID. The role involves capacity building, community engagement, and developing funding strategies to address food security and economic mobility. The position offers a living allowance, education award, and various benefits, with a commitment to fostering collaboration and resource access within the community.
Please read Full Position Description: https://www.salmonvalley.org/permanentpositions

Salmon Valley Stewardship (SVS) and the Creative Confluence Tool Library are hiring an AmeriCorps VISTA member to address food security and systemic barriers to economic mobility through capacity building, community engagement, increasing volunteer and educational resources, and designing creative long-term funding strategies.

Hours and Compensation:
• Full Time, (40 hours/week) – 1 year funded position, may apply for up to 2 additional years subject to program availability and AmeriCorps member performance.
• AmeriCorps VISTA living allowance: $478.73 per week
• Education award upon completion of service term: $7,395 or elect to receive cash stipend
• Personal & medical leave, paid holidays, health care allowance or health plan, childcare benefit, relocation stipend, affordable housing options, and seasonal local food plan.

Read more about VISTA benefits: https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/vista/benefits

Location: Salmon, Idaho (Lemhi County)

Start dates: April 7, 2025 (later start dates may be possible if necessary)

About us: Salmon Valley Stewardship (SVS) and the Creative Confluence Tool Library are committed to strengthening the region’s food system, fostering education and collaboration, and democratizing access to essential resources. Through our community programs and grassroots efforts, we aim to build a more resilient, equitable, and thriving community.

Salmon Valley Stewardship Food Systems Program:

Facilitate a community collaborative group to foster connections with a network of stakeholders working to enhance local and sustainable food systems. Drive momentum forward with this group in three key initiatives:
• Develop a local food gleaning program by building a sustainable volunteer network that will identify and collect extra garden produce and fruit, coordinating re-distribution efforts to underserved and low-income communities and other local food pathways.
• Implement a community commercial kitchen funding campaign, create strategies for long-term viability through successful kitchen operation, budgeting, and management.
• Create systems and resources with the Lemhi County Farmers Market to increase vendor and community collaboration and provide financial stability.
• Assist program staff at SVS to elevate food security and sovereignty through education and outreach, food producer and community education, fostering collaborations with indigenous and agency partners, grant writing, and developing sustainable community food programs.

Creative Confluence Tool Library: The Tool Library is run by a dedicated group of volunteers and fiscally sponsored by Salmon Valley Stewardship. Collaborate with Tool Library board and volunteers to better address poverty by expanding the impact and long-term sustainability of this important tool sharing program.
• Develop a volunteer engagement and training strategy, collaborating with partners to create a community education program.
• Create and implement strategies to increase program access for underserved and limited-income community members.
• Design a long-term plan for program sustainability through funding opportunities and creative partnerships.

Additional Capacity Building at SVS: Assist staff to build capacity, conduct outreach activities, and foster connections with SVS’s other programs (including Natural Resources, Pollinator and Native Plants Restoration, Trails Stewardship, and Outdoor Education).

Preferred Qualifications:
• High School degree or G.E.D., some college or technical school experience preferred
• Communication, facilitation, and community engagement skills
• Familiarity with social media, creating flyers, and sharing outreach stories
• Experience with fundraising activities, motivated to learn grant writing
• Ability to work independently, create and develop initiatives and collaborations
• Motivation to help a small community increase food security and economic mobility

Salmon Valley Stewardship is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our programs and employment are open to all. We value diversity and do not permit any discrimination against applicants, employees, or volunteers on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or disability, or any other status protected by applicable law or statute in any of our policies or programs.

Questions? Contact Cameron Rolle at cameronrolle@salmonvalley.org

How to Apply: Email your resume, 3-5 references, and a cover letter describing your experience and why you’re interested in the position, to cameronrolle@salmonvalley.org

Please use this email subject for your application: VISTA application – Your Name

Application Closing Date: February 25, 2025, Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Service start date: April 7, 2025. Later start dates may be available if necessary.