Job Summary:
The New Roots Education and Outreach Specialist is responsible for assisting refugee and asylee clients adjust to the American foodscape. The Specialist will teach clients how to participate in the local food system as small-scale urban farmers and gardeners. Implementation of existing curriculum will serve as the baseline upon which the Specialist can expand and teach financial literacy, production, and marketing skills to New American farmers, gardeners, and general participants. This position, along with the other Nutrition & Food Security department staff, will coordinate several opportunities for refugees and asylees to learn and participate in the program to expand available resources for integration into the American food system. In addition, the Specialist will develop independence for clients to successfully market their produce and increase the participants’ agricultural skills and experience in the local food system. The New Roots Education and Outreach Specialist is responsible for direct service provisions, assisting with tracking outcomes, reporting, outreach, and program development.
Major Responsibilities:
- Implement existing garden, and farm training curriculum and enhance curriculum to address client need;
- Draw on expertise and experience in modern day farming techniques, agricultural science, and business development to implement and modify trainings for participants;
- Organize and conduct local farm and market tours, connecting New Roots clients to relevant farm businesses;
- Organize and conduct farmers market educational field trips, teaching clients the rules and necessities to selling at such markets;
- Perform outreach activities in the efforts to increase available resources to and to educate and engage local residents, business owners, and community organizations of the IRC and the New Roots Program;
- Connect refugee farmers to local restaurants and market venues, manage and maintain all connections between clients and markets, and advise clients in their self-sufficiency to maintain these relationships;
- Develop and maintain community partnership and provide data as allowable by confidentiality standards and as requested by partner;
- Recruit volunteers and conduct monthly volunteer days at farm/garden sites;
- Conduct weekly trainings and outreach activities at current farm/garden sites;
- Ensure all grant outcomes are met;
- Conduct participant surveys and sign-in sheets for workshops, technical assistance, and outreach;
- Enter data into the program’s information data systems.
Job Requirements:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or education field preferred; comparable work experience may be substituted.
Work Experience:
- One+ year related professional experience;
- One year of experience with refugee related work.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
- Demonstrated agricultural knowledge as related to the arid desert climate;
- Understanding of fiscal management and reporting;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with limited-English speakers in a multi-cultural environment;
- Experience working in a multi-cultural environment;
- Advanced computer skills including word processing, database systems, social media, and Microsoft Office;
- Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle;
- In accordance with Arizona State law, must possess or be eligible to receive a fingerprint clearance card.
Language Skills:
Fluency in written and spoken English, bilingual ability preferred in Swahili, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Dari, Arabic, French or other refugee/immigrant language used in Arizona.
Working Environment: **
- Both standard office work environment, remote work, and field work traveling in and around the client service delivery area, primarily three garden/farm sites;
- May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.
Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.