Jewish Renaissance Foundation
2016 - 2017 AmeriCorps Program
AmeriCorps Member Position Description
PERTH AMBOY ALLIANCE for COMMUNITY
Position Title: Part Time Community Garden Coordinator
Service Location: Jewish Renaissance Foundation – 149 Kearny Ave, Perth Amboy NJ 08861
Jewish Renaissance Foundation (JRF) Perth Amboy Alliance for Community (PAAC)/AmeriCorps Program: is
responsible for working with residents and other stakeholders to implement the “PAAC Neighborhood Vision”, a residentdriven, comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plan for the Greater Budapest neighborhood in Perth Amboy. The
Community Garden coordinator will be responsible for creating, implementing, and managing a community gardening
program with residents of the Greater Budapest neighborhood of Perth Amboy.
This AmeriCorps position does not duplicate or displace staff of agency or service site.
Service Responsibilities
OUTREACH and PROMOTION
 Work to create a welcoming, positive, collaborative and community spirit in the gardens.
 Promote the program with sponsors, land owners, neighbors and community groups.
 Lead outreach/recruiting of garden participants with diverse methods such as emails to community groups,
flyering, website, speaking engagements and press releases.
 Promote the goals and successes of the program.
 Marketing efforts including the website, social marketing, email updates and annual publications.
 Create press releases and coordinate media stories to announce new garden launches.
 Hold an annual gardener meeting and end-of-the year celebration in collaboration with the land owner, sponsors
and Lead Gardeners
 Document/promote garden activities with interviews, photo and video; store files online.).
SITE MONITORING and MAINTENANCE
 Act as a liaison between the gardeners, Lead Gardeners, JRF and the land owner
 Monitor the gardens (check on the garden at least three times per week during the growing season (MarchNovember) and every-other month during the off season); complete Monitoring Checklists
 Work with the Lead Gardeners to solve site/gardener issues using the protocols established in the Gardener
Agreement and Memorandums of Understanding.
 Recruit and train Lead Gardeners; monitor and facilitate Lead Gardeners’ responsibilities
 Inform/remind gardeners in writing of rules violations; document correspondence.
 Report persistent or potentially persistent issues to the PAAC Director.
 Fix directly or coordinate contractors/staff to fix water system or other infrastructure problems.
 Work with Lead Gardener to host work days as needed for cleanup/pruning and mulching.
 Recruit volunteers for work day and special projects
 Develop and maintain proper signage to indicate parking, tools, rules and to promote the garden.
 Record all incidents and issues (site, rules violation and interpersonal) in the INCIDENCE/ SITE LOG.
SIGNUPS/RENEWALS and FEE COLLECTION
 Develop and implement protocols/systems for signup, renewals, fee collection and plot assignment (for low
income and regular income gardeners) with paper, mail and online platforms.
 Lead participant enrollment, renewals and fee collection (post materials at gardens, send packets in the winter and
make materials available to interested families)
Service Projects & Mandatory Events
 Participate in Mandatory Events as Assigned by Program Manager in accordance to Mandatory Events Policy
Jewish Renaissance Foundation
2016 - 2017 AmeriCorps Program
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Serve on committees to offer community programming to JRF constituents
Ability to assist with set up and cleanup during events
Timely submission of Project Justifications
Ability to work collaboratively with program staff and fellow cohort
Training and Evaluation
 Attend Mandatory AmeriCorps Member Orientation
 Attend The Statewide AmeriCorps Events & Trainings as required by New Jersey Commission on National and
Community Service
 Attend SBYS training sessions, in-services, and meetings
 Attend JRF AmeriCorps monthly meetings
 Assist local and external evaluators in gathering academic and programmatic as it relates to position responsibilities.
o Collect Quarterly Report Cards
o Assist with surveys and focus groups
o Assist with attendance record keeping
o Program Justifications
o Master Planners
o Copies of expenses
o Volunteer Contact Forms
 Attend National Days of Service, AmeriCorps week and events sponsored by the New Jersey Commission on
National and Community Service
 Participate in Mandatory Events as Assigned by Program Manager in accordance to Mandatory Events Policy
Term of Service:
This is 900 hour (minimum) service position. During the term of service, you will receive a living allowance of up to
$6,634 for the term and loan forbearance and interest payment for qualifying student loans. Successful completion of a
900 hour term of service will result in an Education Award of $2,865, which will be held in trust and is payable to
qualifying institutions of higher education and/or loan companies.
Typical Schedule:
Flexible schedule with some availability between 9am-5pm, evenings and weekends
Saturdays are required between March and October for gardening season.
Site Supervisor:
Vanessa Cepin, Program Coordinator
Perth Amboy Alliance for Community
Position Requirements:
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Experience in gardening.
Experience and or ability to work with diverse ethnic groups and cultures.
Experience in marketing, public relationships, data management, and program development.
Exposure and/or experience with administrative, project coordination and/or management experience.
Strong work ethic and efficient work habits; patient, proactive, productive and positive.
Must have a strong attention to detail.
Must have leadership skills.
Ability to work independently and to follow directions closely.
Organic gardening and landscaping skills; fitness and ability to accomplish some physical work.
Computer proficient.
Jewish Renaissance Foundation
2016 - 2017 AmeriCorps Program
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Sense of commitment, with strong follow-up skills.
Must be compassionate and have good facilitation and communication skills.
Must be culturally sensitive.
Preferably bi-lingual – Spanish/English.
Prohibited Activities
 I am aware of and will not take part in ANY prohibited activity directly through service or indirectly through
volunteer recruitment. (see attached certification)
Acknowledgement:
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to carry out the functions, requirements,
duties, and expectations of this position as described in this AmeriCorps Member Position Description.
Corps member (print) _______________________________________ Date: __________
Corps Signature: _____________________________________________ Date: __________
Manager Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: __________
Site Supervisor Print: _________________________________________ Date: ____________
Site Supervisor Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ___________