Position Description

Job Summary:

The Sustainability and Garden Assistant will work on a seasonal schedule, up to 15 hours per week on non-academic sustainability initiatives, events, and Community Garden-related work. The rate of pay will be $17.50 per hour.  Reports to the Vice President for Administrative Services.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED or equivalent
• 3-5 years of experience working in a farm and/or garden environment
• Commitment to fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and safe community garden environment for community members, students, faculty, and staff

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a higher education environment
• Horticulture, agriculture, or other relevant coursework or certifications
• Master Gardener Volunteer Program completion or in progress

Skills and Abilities:

• Horticultural knowledge: plant care, soil management, pest and disease management, and planting techniques
• Proficiency in use and maintenance of gardening tools and apiary equipment safely
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external parties; teamwork skills, community engagement, customer service.
• Ability to demonstrate patience and flexibility
• Basic events management skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and Google programs (gmail, calendar)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Weeding, watering, and maintaining communal beds and areas
• Build new raised beds in the garden as needed
• Assisting with planting, care, harvest, and removal of crops planted for the Culinary Program or Food Pantry
• Maintaining compost piles
• Cleaning/sanitizing planting trays and pots
• Assisting with sustainability events such as Earth Day and Kale Day, and other events as assigned
• Assisting with other sustainability and garden projects as assigned
• Collaborating with Buildings and Grounds staff on maintenance of community garden and apiary areas
• Assisting with maintenance and repair of apiary area as needed
• Liaising with New Hope Community and other community organizations on New Hope Farm/ high tunnel business
• Coordinating Community Gardeners (collecting community garden fees, ordering compost and equipment, communicating with gardeners, etc.)

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

Typically requires the ability to perform physical tasks like lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, kneeling, standing for long periods, walking significant distances, and working outdoors in various weather conditions; often demanding dexterity in the hands for tasks like planting, weeding, and harvesting, while also requiring the ability to tolerate sun exposure and potential exposure to insects and dirt. Apiary requires exposure to honey bees and other stinging insects.

General:

All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently.  This job description is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees will be required to perform other job-related instructions assigned by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job.

Part-time hourly staff are not eligible to participate in a bargaining unit and employment with SUNY Sullivan is considered at will.

Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer:

SCCC is an equal opportunity employer.  SCCC is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community.  SCCC encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.  Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States.

Please submit your cover letter, resume, and the contact information including emails for 3 professional references.