Garden Manager, Old Fort

Position Summary:

The Garden Manager tends a ½ acre garden at the Old Fort using hand tools and small equipment and manages seasonal production in two high tunnels. As a staff member in the Farmer Training Program, the Garden Manager is responsible for all aspects of vegetable production, including harvesting, processing, and delivering; maintaining a productive demonstration garden; and participating in seasonal educational programming, along with other staff.

Job Description:

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Managing small-scale vegetable production in the Garden, including meeting production targets, crop planning, crop counting, harvesting, controlling weed pressure, scheduling irrigation, following food safety guidelines, and succession planting
• Supervising, training, and providing instruction to field assistants, farmers-in-training, FLC interns, and regular groups of volunteers at work in the garden
• Processing vegetables from the Garden and the FIT Plot
• Stocking and cleaning the Country Store
• Coordinating daily care of high tunnels and propagation house
• Keeping clear and up-to-date garden and food safety records
• Setting a positive, respectful tone
• Modeling fast-paced work
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities

Additionally, the Garden Manager will participate in these areas:

• Working with and instructing the Farmers-In-Training

• Packing and delivering the CSA and managing CSA member relationships
• Staffing the Durango Farmers Market Stand and/or the Farm Stand as a substitute
• Participating actively in staff meetings
• Developing new partnerships, accounts, and community relationships
• Creating content for social media and newsletters
• Planning and executing annual fundraisers
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.
• Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.
• Performing other duties as assigned

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

• Two or more seasons of vegetable growing experience
• At least one season growing at high elevations or in short seasons
• One or more years’ experience in leadership or teaching roles, especially in a farming context
• Significant experience working independently as a farmer or in a physical job
• Successful experience working collaboratively as part of a team
• Proficient with the use of Microsoft Office programs and Dropbox
• Ease with email, text and phone calls as forms of team and professional communication

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

• College degree in agriculture or related field
• Experience in or desire for fostering program growth

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:

The Garden Manager reports to the Farmer Training Program Coordinator.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is primarily conducted outside or in high tunnels in all weather
• Work may occur in heat, cold, snow, rain, wind, and other extreme weather conditions.
• Work may occur adjacent to tractors or require use of small machines (moderate noise).
• Office space is shared.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to perform fine motor functions such as weeding, harvesting, packing, gripping, typing, texting, and operating tools.
• The employee is regularly required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• On a daily basis, the garden manager must perform actions such as lifting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching, and use tools to dig, rake, tilth, and additional actions as needed.

Travel:

Less than 5% of travel is expected for this position.

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Hourly
• Temporary
• 10 Month Position, February through November
• 40 hours/week, 7:30am – 4:30pm (1 hour lunch break) April – October
• 30 hours/week as scheduled February, March, November

Salary

Salary range for this position is $19 - $21 per hour, plus

plus a comprehensive benefits package .

Application Process
A complete application packet includes:

Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position

Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion. “How do you envision contributing to Fort Lewis College’s commitment to equity and inclusion?”

Resume

Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Application materials received by February 12, 2023, will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

Equal Opportunity
Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?
Office of the Title 9 Coordinator
Kate Suazo
230 Skyhawk Station
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-6729 cmsuazo@fortlewis.edu

Other discrimination questions?

Office of the Equal Opportunity Coordinator
David Pirrone
192 Education Business Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu

Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.

* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.

ADAA Accommodations
Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.