Common Roots, Inc. AmeriCorps VISTA – Communications & Storytelling Systems South Burlington, VT · Full time Company website

Apply for AmeriCorps VISTA – Communications & Storytelling Systems

Common Roots is a nonprofit organization based in South Burlington, Vermont, working at the intersection of farming, nutrition education, and community food access. Our mission is to build a thriving local food system and healthy community through farming and nutrition education for all ages, where every person has equitable access to nourishing food they enjoy. We operate a diversified organic farm and a range of community-based programs that connect people to fresh food, hands-on learning, and each other. Our work includes Farm to School education, community meals, youth programming, and partnerships with local organizations to expand access to healthy food. As an organization, we are focused on building systems that create long-term impact—strengthening how food is grown, distributed, and accessed across our community.

About the Role

The Communications & Storytelling Systems VISTA will strengthen how Common Roots shares its work with the community. This role focuses on building sustainable communications systems that clearly connect participation in programs to community impact and increased access to healthy food.

Key Responsibilities

• Redesign how Common Roots programs are presented on the website to clearly connect purchases and participation to community impact
• Develop communications systems including content calendars, messaging frameworks, and audience segmentation
• Build tools to track engagement and measure the effectiveness of outreach
• Increase the capacity of the communications team to generate and distribute content across multiple channels
• Support storytelling through digital platforms and earned media

Example Projects

• Redesign website structure and messaging to better reflect program impact
• Develop seasonal campaigns tied to farm, food access, and education programs
• Create a communications dashboard to track engagement and outcomes

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong writing and communication skills
• Ability to organize information and translate complex ideas into clear messaging
• Comfort with digital tools (websites, email platforms, or social media)
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects

Preferred / Desired Skills

• Experience with communications, marketing, or storytelling
• Interest in food systems, nonprofit work, or community development
• Familiarity with website management or content systems

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience building communications systems with real impact
• A portfolio of professional work across digital and community platforms
• Exposure to nonprofit strategy, food systems, and community-based work

About Common Roots

Common Roots is building a thriving local food system and healthy community through farming and nutrition education for all ages, where every person has equitable access to nourishing food they enjoy.

Compensation & Benefits

This is an AmeriCorps VISTA position. Members receive a living allowance (~$1,800–$2,000/month), a Segal Education Award (~$7,395) or end-of-service stipend, health coverage, and professional development opportunities.