Department of Agriculture

About the organization

AgCorps is a state AmeriCorps program administered by the Montana Department of Agriculture. AgCorps aims to improve the capacity of partner organizations to meet their mission, grow collaborations, provide effective programming, and create resilient, healthy, safe, and engaged communities in Montana. This program is also designed to serve rural and underfunded school districts in Montana that require more accessibility to Ag literacy materials. The AgCorps program strives to deliver the best possible resources and values integrity, leadership, and trust in its members and host sites.

AmeriCorps Program Benefits:
• Members receive a living allowance of $21,000 to cover basic expenses while serving
• Upon successful completion of service, members receive a $7,895 education award
• While serving, members may qualify for student loan forbearance
• Healthcare/ childcare services are available while serving
• A $200/month housing stipend if eligible

Duties

The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program places and maintains survey traps at locations of risk of introduction around the state to monitor for potentially new invasive species. This member will provide communities and stakeholders with updated materials including information on insects being monitored for, as well as invasive insects and invertebrates of concern.

The MDA Organic Program is an accredited Certifier with the USDA National Organic Program. We provide certification services for producers and handlers. This is a fee-based program that receives no monies from the general fund. The purpose of service to the organic producers and handlers is to ascertain the level of customer satisfaction with the program through a survey so the program can adapt to the needs of the community. The member will also collect statistics of crop types and acreages for USDA AMS statistics and provide educational outreach to extension agents in the state so they can better serve the organic community.

Montana typically ranks in the top five states in the U.S. for honey production. MDA registers all apiary sites in the state. There are four types of apiary registrations: General (Commercial), Pollination, Landowner and Hobbyist. An AgCorps service member will create and distribute educational materials, to communities/stakeholders throughout Montana, to support the Apiary program.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
• Ability to drive with general navigation skills
• Writing and Record keeping
• Public speaking and communication skills
• Knowledge or willingness to learn about invasive species, honeybees, and organics in Montana
• Basic computer software knowledge (design and editing)
• Data collection and interpretation skills

AmeriCorps Service minimum Requirements:
• Must be 18+ at the beginning of service (17+ requires parental consent)
• High school graduate, GED recipient, working towards obtaining a high school diploma/ GED
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien
• Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria

Salary

21000

Application instructions

Contact email: [email protected]

Two references will be required during the interview process

Before responding to this announcement, please review the RPCV Career Link Terms of Use [PDF]. The Peace Corps is not able to confirm the legitimacy of every position posted to the jobs board and we ask everyone to use caution when contacting and/or sharing information with any organization while seeking employment. If you believe an announcement has violated the Peace Corps Terms of Use, please contact [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Employment

The posting employer has certified that this announcement complies with Peace Corps’ Equal Opportunity Employment policy:

The Peace Corps is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees, Volunteers, and applicants for employment and volunteer service. Peace Corps policy prohibits discrimination and harassment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or over), disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, union membership, genetic information, or history of participation in the Equal Employment Opportunity process, grievance procedure, or any authorized complaint procedure.

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