Location of Service: UT Office of Sustainability – 2040 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996
About UT Office of Sustainability:
The UT Office of Sustainability is committed to promoting the responsible consumption of human, economic, and environmental resources on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus. We use holistic data collection and analysis to inform sustainability initiatives and develop collaborations with campus and community partners to reduce the environmental impacts of the University’s operations, all while engaging the campus community in what it means to Make Orange Green.
UTK seeks one full-time AmeriCorps member to expand and sustain campus food-growing operations at the Grow Lab and to assist the SPEAK Garden during the high-need fall and summer periods. The member will help install and maintain additional production beds, start seeds, transplant, irrigate,
manage pests using IPM, and coordinate student/volunteer workdays.
They will also support harvesting, weighing, and distribution of produce to on-campus food security partners, while developing hands-on learning opportunities (workshops/tours) in partnership with faculty and student groups. Consistent summer coverage and fall turnover will improve production
continuity, reduce losses to heat and weeds, and increase donations of fresh produce to the campus community.
Position Summary:
- Production & Site Expansion: seed starting, bed prep, compost incorporation, transplanting, mulching, irrigation setup and checks, IPM, cover cropping; assist with building/repairing raised beds and small season-extension structures.
- SPEAK Garden Support: fall bed turnover, cover crop establishment, weekly summer watering schedule, path upkeep, signage, and crop planning with student leaders.
- Volunteer & Student Engagement: schedule and lead weekly workdays (academic year & summer), maintain sign-in logs, deliver short safety/tool talks, co-host 6–10 workshops/tours per term with faculty/staff.
- Harvest & Distribution: harvest, weigh, and log produce; coordinate deliveries to on-campus pantry/community partners; track donations and feedback.
- Data & Reporting: maintain weekly production logs (beds in production, lbs harvested, volunteer hours), photo documentation, and end-of-term summaries.
The member(s) in this position will have the opportunity to gain the following skills/credentials:
- Supervision/leadership
- Urban gardening
- Event Planning and Execution
- Volunteer Management
- Public speaking
- Creative problem-solving
- Self-motivation
Site Preferences/Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or environmental field strongly preferred
- Valid driver’s license
- Knowledge of sustainability efforts within higher education or community organizations or experience working with a college or university sustainability office
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively on a wide range of tasks
- Ability to create and give presentations to small and large (30+) groups
- Great all around communication skills in a professional setting
- Ability to infrequently work long hours standing and/or outdoors
- Ability to coordinate large groups of volunteers on a variety of tasks
Equal Opportunity Statement: AmeriCorps prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on the protected categories of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, generic information, military service, or reprisal.