This Position is Closed

Location of Service: UT Gardens – 2505 EJ Chapman Dr., 112 Plant Biotechnology Building, Knoxville, TN 37996

Length of Service: 16 weeks, 20 hr/week

About UT Gardens:

The University of Tennessee (UT) Gardens have been established to foster appreciation, education, and stewardship of plants through garden displays, collections, educational programs, and research. Recognized in 2013 as the official botanical gardens of the state of Tennessee, the University of Tennessee Gardens located in Knoxville, Jackson, and Crossville are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Some 4,000 annuals, perennials, herbs, tropical plants, trees, shrubs, vegetables and ornamental grasses are evaluated each year. Both the Knoxville and Jackson gardens are TN Certified Arboreta. The gardens are open during all seasons and are free to the public.

Position Summary:

The CAC AmeriCorps member serving with the UT Gardens will contribute to the management and development of the Helping Hands Kitchen Garden. This area is a ¼ acre garden dedicated to enhancing local food security through charitable donations, educational programming and the demonstration of edible crop production for home gardeners. The garden consists of 55 raised beds which range in size from 4’x4’ to 9’x5’ as well as a large herb spiral and a berm and swale tea garden. The AmeriCorps member will be involved with all aspects of the sustainable production, maintenance, and display of our perennial fruit, vegetable, and herb crops including planting, harvesting, pest and disease control, weed management, soil building, volunteer management and the coordination of food bank donations. This position will also involve public outreach through tours, social media content creation and hands on workshops offered through the UT Gardens community education program.

Site Preferences/Qualifications:

• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., and work outdoors in heat, humidity, rain, cold and dust.
• Ability to lead volunteer groups for hands-on garden projects like planting, weeding and soil amendment.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Enthusiasm about gardening and environmental education.
• Must provide own transportation.
• Commitment to honesty, integrity and professionalism.

Member Benefits Include:

• A modest living allowance of $3,300 distributed bi-weekly at $412.50 (pre-tax), paid over 16 weeks-weekly
• Education Award of $1,342 that can be applied to student loans and/or future education expenses
• Worker’s Compensation
• May be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In-house SNAP benefits specialist available to provide assistance in determining eligibility.
• May be eligible for utility bill assistance. In-house specialists available to provide assistance with determining eligibility.
• Professional development and networking opportunities
• Optional opportunity to enroll concurrently in Carson Newman MBA in Nonprofit Leadership

Equity and Inclusion: The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will take action to ensure that members and employees are treated equally without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender, romantic/sexual orientation, age, handicap, cultural or religious convictions.  CAC AmeriCorps provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees.  Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the recruitment / employment process.