Open AmeriCorps Positions

Two positions available

March – November 2024, 900 hours (25-35 hours/week)

May – August 2024, 675 hours (40 hours/week)

Primarily M-F 8:00-5:00 with 1 hour lunch or 8:30-5:00 with 30-minute lunch

Under the direct supervision of the Early Childhood Development Coordinator, the PHA Early Childhood Development Assistant will play a key role in advancing early learning and family development ensuring Allegany County children birth-age 5 and their families thrive. This position will support day-to-day operations of the First Step Family Resource Center helping to create a trauma-informed, safe, and enriching environment for children and families. The position will assist with marketing, scheduling, clerical functions, and interact with families acting as a role model and mentor. The position will also assess families for social determinants of health that can impact early learning resulting in closed-loop referrals to existing partners.

Requirements:Bachelor’s degree in human services, sociology, social work, early learning, education, psychology, communications, human development, or related field; OR an Associate’s degree with a minimum of one years experience (including experience in the field of child services and/or family development).

Applicants must have a valid Driver’s License, a clean driving record, proof of valid car insurance, and a full COVID vaccination.

March – November 2024, 1200 hours (0.7 FTE/40 hours/week)

Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network’s Youth Services department is seeking two talented and inspiring individuals to join our team as Youth Education Specialists. Under the direction of the Youth Services Director, the YE Specialists will be involved with all aspects of the Youth Services department and will work alongside the educators to facilitate programs, create and/or edit program content, promote program information, and analyze data. Youth Services primarily works with middle and high school students in classroom settings, parents and caregivers, and local school districts to promote comprehensive sexuality education and life skills with the goal of providing young people with the information they need to protect their health and future.

Applicants must have a valid Driver’s License, a personal vehicle, and a full COVID vaccination.

March – November 2024, 900 hours (0.5 FTE/30 hours/week)

The Health & Nutrition Programs Assistant will work on initiatives aimed at supporting the wellbeing of our local community. This position will be largely focused on supporting Kitchen Stork and Health Meets Home (food delivery programs for pregnant mothers and prediabetic patients, respectively), in addition to working on nutrition education initiatives, and supporting the Food Bank of the Southern Tier‘s partners in the healthcare field. This position is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working directly with community members, who is knowledgeable and passionate about nutrition and health, and who is interested in innovative new partnerships and strategies for addressing food and nutrition insecurity.

Applicants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Personal vehicle OR other means of transportation to the Food Bank required.

Position Details:

Kitchen Stork and Health Meets Home Participant Support

• • Assist Kitchen Stork and Health Meets Home participants with their weekly orders (I.e., provide tech support, update customer profiles, assist with order placements, answer questions about products, assist participants needing language services)
  • Communicate important program information and updates with Kitchen Stork and Health Meets Home participants through texts, calls, website updates, and paper fliers
  • Follow up on new participant self-referrals for Kitchen Stork and Health Meets Home
  • Assist with preparation, packing, delivery, and pick up of Kitchen Stork and Health Meets Home food orders  
  • Assist with offboarding and provide post-program resources for Kitchen Stork and Health Meets Home participants

Nutrition & Cooking Education

• • Develop cooking and nutrition resources including recipes, nutrition handouts, videos, and other health-related resources for Kitchen Stork, Health Meets Home, healthcare partners, and other Food Bank programs
  • Conduct and/or assist with nutrition trainings, workshops, and recipe demonstrations in the community
  • Accompany medical students and community health workers on participant home visits to provide nutrition education and cooking support if requested by participant

Healthcare Partnership Connections:

• • Support hospitals and clinics in establishing strong screening and referral systems for patients experiencing food insecurity
  • Educate patients on Food Bank network services and supports by tabling at clinics and hospitals

March – November 2024, 900 hours (0.5 FTE/25-30 hours/week) or 1200 hours (0.7 FTE/ 35-40 hours/week)

The Seven Valleys Health Coalition (SVHC) PHA Project Assistant will provide support to SVHC on both their food systems and community health education efforts focused on addressing Cortland County’s priority areas of preventing chronic disease; promoting well-being and preventing mental and substance use disorders; and preventing communicable diseases. The strongest focus will be on food systems work including but not limited to: participation in the Cortland Food Project (CFP) food policy council and subcommittees; supporting efforts towards addressing hunger and healthy, local foods access such as the Seven Valleys Food Rescue and Produce Prescription programs; collecting narratives for a food insecurity storytelling program overseen by the CFP Hunger Coalition; and other health education initiatives. The PHA Project Assistant will provide additional support to SVHC’s efforts to address social determinants of health in Cortland County including grant writing, project research and volunteer recruitment as required. The member will serve for approximately 30-35 hours/week in a hybrid work environment including remote and in-person at the Seven Valleys Health Coalition office in Cortland.

Applicants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Work closely with health department staff to conduct outreach and education in the community about healthy eating, physical fitness, and sun safety. Outreach will be either in-person or via the creation and distribution of materials through social, print, and paid media. Collaborate with community organizations and businesses on the creation and implementation of policies that support healthy behaviors. Assist community organizations and businesses in the assessment and identification of strengths and weaknesses, with the intent to create action plans that will improve the community’s health.

Applicants must be fully vaccination for COVID-19

September 2024 – June 2025, 900 hours (24 hours/week)

Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) Farm to School members are a part of the Food and Health Network‘s regional Farm to School program that works collaboratively with 29 school districts in South Central New York. PHA Farm to School members will work as part of a team with the Farm to School Coordinator to develop, implement, grow, and evaluate programs to bring healthy, local food to students. Members will work with staff, students, parents, farms, and community partners to increase capacity for hands-on learning, local procurement, and creating a school-wide culture of health.

This position requires a personal vehicle. 

Program goals:

• Increase access to healthy, locally grown food through school meals including breakfast, lunch and snacks;
• Engage students in hands-on learning through growing, cooking, and tasting new foods in order to build their skills, food literacy, and healthy food preferences;
• Cultivate farm to school leadership among students, staff, and volunteers;
• Build capacity and sustainability through improved coordination, community outreach, parent involvement, and volunteer recruitment and management

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Develop and maintain relationships with Farm to School partners; including School Food Service, school staff, farmers, and community organizations; 
2. Create and deliver educational programs and special events including taste tests, after-school or summer clubs, community programs, and harvest celebrations;
3. Maintain a regular presence in school cafeterias to promote healthy options, local food, and NY Thursday menus;
4. Design outreach and publicity materials; 
5. Assist with promotion of local food, NY Thursday menus, and related farm to school content through social media, blog posts, newsletters, and video; 
6. Assist school staff, students, and volunteers with school garden maintenance and hands-on learning opportunities;
7. Support food access for students and families in the community through sharing resources, participating in community meetings, and assisting with food distribution as needed;
8. Attend regular trainings; 
9. Regularly record programming data for evaluation and reporting 
10. Serve as an independent member of the Farm to School team
11. Assist in resource development to support Farm to School activities to the extent permitted (10% of total time in service, no work on federal funding applications, etc. by the AmeriCorps National Service Program and with the specific guidance of the Rural Health Network).

Qualifications: 

• Experience gardening and/or farming, community organizing, studying food systems or sustainable agriculture, or working in public health
• Experience teaching or working with groups of kids (formal or non-formal) 
• Comfort working in a kitchen (home or commercial, desirable but not required 
• Commitment to public service
• Strong public speaking, writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Connection to and/or knowledge of the community you want to serve
• Understanding of our mission and scope