USU Permaculture Initiative Assistant

Applications are now being accepted for a 12-month term (900 hours, approximately 20 hours/week) AmeriCorps position with the Utah State University (USU) Permaculture Initiative and the permaculture teaching garden on main campus in Logan, Utah. This position is coordinated by Roslynn McCann (ENVS) and Jake Powell (LAEP). The AmeriCorps Permaculture Initiative Assistant will work with a variety of audiences primarily via education and outreach. Permaculture is a design framework guided by ethics and principles, mimicking the diversity, functionality, and resilience of natural ecosystems.

Schedule

Position is Monday through Friday with some weekend and evening work required. Begins February 1, 2023.

Position Goal

To increase involvement with the USU main campus permaculture garden - and understanding of permaculture design - by university faculty, students, facilities staff, and Cache Valley residents.

Position Objectives

• Complete garden maintenance, harvesting, and integrate additional planting as needed in collaboration with the permaculture leadership team (found at permaculture.usu.edu under “Our Partners”), Bridgerland Audubon Society and USU Facilities. Garden Site Operation Manual to be referenced for all maintenance and harvesting.
• Pursue bench installation through a USU Sustainability Grant Application.
• Oversee dietetic students completing garden rotations to fulfill required supervised practice rotations and volunteer experiences (in collaboration with Alyssa Reidhead in NDFS).
• Further student service-learning opportunities through collaborating with the Center for Community Engaged Learning, as well as the Student Sustainability Office.
• House monthly community workshops/garden tours/webinars, advertised via the permaculture meetup page, local newspapers, flyers, and social media.
• Host early spring community seed swap using leftover seeds from last year.
• Design and manage a strategic plan for community and USU class involvement in permaculture, including service, educational and fundraising events. Plan should include expansion and longevity of the USU permaculture initiative.

Qualifications

• The successful candidate will have a background in education, horticulture, ecology, or landscape architecture and environmental planning. Must enjoy being outdoors and working with all age groups. Teaching experience preferred. The following skills are benefits to this position (and any should be addressed in the letter of interest):
• Be a United States citizen, U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
• Be at least 18 years of age; and
• Have a high school diploma or GED or work towards obtaining one while in the program. It is a requirement to obtain a high school diploma or GED before one is eligible to use the Education Award.
• Ability to pass background check. (Must be clear of any record on the National Sex Offender Public Registry. Must have a criminal record clear of any conviction(s) for murder)
• Experience in permaculture/gardening practices and how to implement
• Collaborating with a variety of team members, ranging from professors to knowledgeable community members
• Recruiting and training volunteers
• Knowledge of how to use gardening equipment and maintaining gardens
• Capability of overseeing the design and implementation of additional gardens
• Working with stakeholders/collaborators to develop the budget for the different projects
• Ability to develop clear priorities for the permaculture initiative, and share these regularly with planning team
• Procuring seeds and other planting materials
• Overseeing harvesting, storage, and use of produce
• Creating or overseeing student/volunteers work schedules
• Providing evaluations for students completing above experiences
• Completing letters of recommendation for students applying to programs and internships
• Harvesting and preserving local produce for use in Food Literacy course and for community donations
• Planning and implementing education/outreach events, fundraising events and submitting relevant funding proposals

Permaculture

Permaculture is a regenerative design process mimicking the diversity, functionality and resilience of natural ecosystems. The principles and practices are drawn from traditional ecological knowledge of Indigenous cultures combined with modern scientific understanding and technological innovations. Permaculture design provides a framework helping individuals and communities develop innovative, creative and effective strategies for meeting basic needs while preparing for and mitigating the projected impacts of climate change.

Salary

Compensation a total of living allowance of $8,8111 (disbursed bimonthly for the 12-month period; is taxable income), and an additional education award ($3,172.50) upon successful completion of the 900-hour commitment. Student Loan Forbearance & Payment of Interest Accrued during the position term. Permaculture training and travel to attend a spring Community Rebuilds permaculture course in/near Moab is included.

How to apply:

Please submit your resume and a maximum 1-page letter of interest to Roslynn Brain McCann at roslynn.mccann@usu.edu