Worcester Massachusetts – REC Commonwealth Corps Youth Volunteer Engagement Specialist

Commonwealth Corps Service Internship Position Description  Regional Environmental Council Inc. 

Commonwealth Corps Youth Volunteer Engagement Specialist 
The mission of the Commonwealth Corps service internship program is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in direct service to strengthen communities, address critical needs, and increase volunteerism. Through hands-on experience, Commonwealth Corps members gain professional skills and valuable knowledge while positively impacting diverse communities in our state. The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) is a private, nonprofit agency that oversees the program and supports host site partners and members to find success throughout the program year. The 3 Commonwealth Corps members with The Regional Environmental Council will serve 10.5 months in a half time capacity. They will join a diverse corps of members across Massachusetts who share a common desire to discover their passion and build their network in the service to their communities and the Commonwealth. The Regional Environmental Council, Inc. (REC) is a grassroots, nonprofit, environmental and food justice organization with a 45-year history working for environmental sustainability and social justice in Central Massachusetts. REC is seeking one half-time Commonwealth Corp members to support youth volunteer engagement and community education in our YouthGROW Farm. Through their service, the Youth Volunteer Engagement Specialist will increase healthy food production and community awareness at the YouthGROW Farm. In addition, they will collaborate with other members to leverage 100+ volunteers that will be engaged in hands on garden support and maintenance and inner-city food production for food insecure neighborhoods. 

 What You’ll Do: Essential Responsibilities: • Complete a minimum of 750 hours of service, serving through June 26, 2022. • Attend all required Commonwealth Corps trainings and service events held by MSA (minimum of 6 total, post orientation) and Regional Environmental Council including a new member orientation on August 16 & 17, 2021. • Participate in a minimum of or 30 minutes of MSA-related activities each week (in person or virtually). • Recruit high school and college age youth to participate in open community volunteer hours at the YouthGROW Farm. • Provide direct support at the YouthGROW Farm serving alongside youth leaders in the program and Farm Manager. • Mentor and support youth participants in the YouthGROW program to complete programmatic volunteer requirements, including leading youth internship teams. • Develop and coordinate structured volunteer opportunities for youth to support winter growing at the YouthGROW farm • Coordinate volunteer welcome and tracking at weekly youth farm hours. Marginal Responsibilities: • Collaborate with other Commonwealth Corps members to support greenhouse operations to grow $5,000+ seedlings for the community and school gardens network • Collaborate with other Corps members to plan spring community events, including a city-wide Earth Day Clean Up, engaging over 1,000 volunteers and our Annual Spring Garden Festival and Plant Sale. • Support non-volunteer-based youth development programming including monthly retreats. • Support produce delivery and sale in low-income communities via the REC Mobile Market program. 
 

Who You Are: You must be: • A Massachusetts resident (see guidelines here) with legal authorization to work in the United States • 18 years of age at minimum, however we typically have members ranging from 18 – 70+ years old • Excited to give back to your community and help others • Interested in developing your skills and gaining new professional experience and knowledge • Able to balance service internship commitments with personal commitments in a sustainable way • Self-motivated, detail oriented, highly organized and reliable • Able to manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines • Able to travel independently to sites via personal or public transportation • Comfortable with online collaboration tools, e.g., shared calendars, email, shared folders/files (Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Apps) • A strong communicator, both in written and verbal formats It would also be great if you: • Speak a language other than English — multi-lingual candidates encouraged to apply • Are familiar/experienced with the Worcester community, particularly the Bell Hill and Main South neighborhoods • Have previous experience in collaborative environments or volunteering with people of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds • Have experience growing food • Have experience with youth 

What You’ll Get: • Stipend of or $450 semi-monthly while in service, up to or $9,450, minus taxes and withholdings; • Member assistance program, including unlimited, confidential, 24/7, phone counseling services and up to three free, in-person counseling sessions, plus a lot more; • Completion award of up to or $1,500 upon successful completion of service, minus taxes and withholdings; • Reimbursement for outside training or professional development opportunities relevant to member’s service and/or goals (Up to $100; Dependent on approval from MSA) • Additional training and other professional development opportunities; • Limited reimbursement for travel to Corps-wide MSA-sponsored activities; • Limited travel reimbursement from the Regional Environmental Council for certain service-related travel away from their usual service location, according to REC’s policies; • A subsidized local food stipend through REC Mobile Market paired with SNAP application support and training on the Healthy Incentives Program; • The opportunity for at least 5 days of planned absences (may include holidays); • and Opportunity to join with others with a common sense of purpose as part of the Commonwealth Corps. Please note that receipt of these stipends/benefits may impact an individual’s eligibility for certain public benefits. 

Term of Service: • Position Start Date: August 16, 2021 • Position End Date: June 25, 2022 • Service commitment will average 18-20 hours per week with a minimum of two full service days (9-5) and approximately two evenings per month and up to two weekends per month during the months of September, October, April, and May, with advance notice. Service schedule/days will be agreed upon at the start of the service term and any changes or additions, including night or weekend hours, will be made with advanced notice. 

How to Apply: • To apply, submit a cover letter and resume by May 30th or earlier to Stacie Brimmage at Stacie@recworcester.org Accepted members will be required to undergo a criminal history check. The Regional Environmental Council will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. The Regional Environmental Council welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for interviews and for service upon request.