Applications are open!
The Sacramento Sustainability Academy is a workforce development program that provides young people an introduction to climate action and community resilience work. This program is funded by grants.
Building on Sierra Service Project’s (SSP) history of providing youth and young adults with hands-on experience with tools, home repairs, and high impact community projects, the Academy is focused on energy efficiency through the lens of building science, urban agriculture as a tool for achieving food security/sovereignty through permaculture design principles (often referred to as Afro-Indigenous wisdom), and manufacturing design skills to provide young people high demand and cutting edge skills for high paying professions.
Urban Agriculture Cohort
Food Sovereignty
Spring & Fall 2026
We are thrilled to share we have received funding from California Volunteers’ Youth Service Corps through the City of Sacramento to offer two additional SSA cohorts in 2026!
Employment Details
Sierra Service Project is hosting two urban agriculture cohorts in 2026, in spring and fall
Summary
- Paid workforce development for ages 16-24
- Transform food deserts into food hubs
- Lunch and transportation provided
Schedule
- Cohorts will last 12 weeks
- The weekly schedule is consistent Tuesday through Friday from 8 AM to 2:30 PM
- Occasional weekend hours are required for special events
Positions Available & Employment Dates
Each cohort will consist of one Program Manager and six Program Fellows.
Program Manager
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- Job description (coming soon)
- Pay rate: $26.76/hour, 40 hours/week
- Dates
- February 2: First day of employment
- November 30: Last day of employment
Program Fellows
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- Job description (coming soon)
- Pay rate: $20/hour, 24 hours/week
- Dates
- March 3: First day of employment
- May 22: Last day of employment
Application Timeline
Applications are open! Informational calls will begin in January, followed by a formal Zoom interview.
- January 4: Program Manager applications due (job offer made by January 20)
- February 1: Program Fellow applications due (job offers made by February 10)
Program requirements
All program participants must:
1) Reside within Sacramento city limits
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- Verify your address is within city boundaries before applying
- Applicants residing outside of the City of Sacramento’s limits will not be considered
2) And meet at least one of the following requirements:
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- Reside within a Qualified Census Tract (a low-income area as designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development);
- Reside in a low- or moderate-income household;
- Reside in a household that experienced unemployment;
- Reside in a household that experienced increased food or housing insecurity;
- Reside in a household that is receiving services from Tribal governments; or
- Reside in a household that qualifies for the following federal assistance: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Free and Reduced Price School Lunch and Breakfast, Head Start, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, Section 8 Vouchers, or Pell Grant.
3) Priority will be given to individuals who:
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- Have not participated in an AmeriCorps program;
- May have difficulty finding employment;
- Are low-income;
- Are unemployed and/or out of school;
- Are or were justice-involved;
- Are in or transitioning from foster care; or
- Are engaged with the mental health or substance abuse system.
Questions? Reach out to Sacramento@SierraServiceProject.org.
Focus Area
Urban agriculture offers a transformational approach to community development, turning under-resourced neighborhoods into places where fresh food, economic opportunity, and local resilience can flourish. In areas where access to healthy food is limited, these local growing efforts create consistent, community-controlled sources of fresh produce that strengthen food security and support healthier lifestyles. Beyond food production, urban agriculture generates jobs, supports micro-businesses, and helps communities keep wealth local through farmers markets, value-added products, and cooperative ownership models. By activating vacant lots, engaging youth and residents in hands-on learning, and strengthening local supply chains, urban agriculture turns underinvested areas into vibrant economic hubs that improve health outcomes, foster environmental resilience, and build long-term community self-determination.