Intern - Gardener (Indigenous Garden)

POSITION TITLE: Intern - Gardener (Indigenous Garden) (Hourly)

REQUISITION #: req7596

DEPARTMENT: Cultural Services

LOCATION: GARDENS ON SPRING CREEK

BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly View Classifications & Benefits

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly

HOURLY RATE: $16.00 per hour

SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 5/10/2024.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check required .

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

SUMMARY: This is a grant funded position that reports to the Community Garden Outreach Coordinator. The primary responsibilities will be in the Garden of Eatin', a one-acre site dedicated to edible plants and crops, including vegetables, fruits and herbs. Specifically, they will be working in the Native Community Garden. This garden was planned and designed by the northern Colorado Native Community for native community use. Born out of an expressed need for more access to space to grow and harvest ceremonial, medicinal and food plants, it is also a demonstration and learning space. In addition to working in the physical garden, this position will work closely with the native community, coordinating volunteer days, supporting classes and making sure the garden is meeting the needs of the community.

This position seeks a student that is a member of the native community, willing and able to work independently and proactively, is comfortable in a fast-paced, evolving environment, and is looking for professional experience and training in all aspects of food sovereignty and food production from soil preparation to planting and harvesting. Work hours are flexible based on school schedule, with typical work hours being 20

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Gardens on Spring Creek is the community botanic garden of Fort Collins. It is a City of Fort Collins facility with a non-profit partner, the Friends of the Gardens on Spring Creek. The mission of The Gardens is to enrich the lives of people and foster environmental stewardship through horticulture. The Friends of the Gardens supports The Gardens through fundraising and advocacy.

The facility includes a Visitor's Center, Butterfly House and 12 acres of gardens. A detailed description of the Gardens on Spring Creek and its programs can be found at www.fcgov.com/gardens.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Assist with various gardening tasks including but not limited to seeding, transplanting, watering, irrigation system maintenance and repair, weeding, mulching, pruning, deadheading and harvesting

• Use of machinery and equipment such as rototillers, string trimmers, and hedge trimmers; various hand tools such as shovels, digging forks, trowels, hoes, and pruners

• Assist in the implementation of Native Community Programming for the Native Community including demonstrations, harvesting days and community meetings.

• Frequently respond to the needs of visitors at the Gardens on Spring Creek

• Leading and supporting native community volunteer groups

• Administrative and record keeping tasks

• Inventory and organize supplies

• May assist with The Gardens' special events if interested

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.

• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.

• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.

• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 18 years old

• Basic knowledge of food production practices

• Willing and able to do strenuous physical work in a productive and efficient manner

• Learns quickly and follows directions well

• Self-directed, responsible, willingness to learn and uses good judgment

• Works well as part of a team and individually

• Able to provide direction and supervision to volunteers

• Presents positive, professional image while working in public settings

• Proper safety measures for lifting/moving any item are expected to be followed; including, but not limited to, the use of proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), use of lifting/moving equipment, and/or assistance from co-workers.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: No degree required. A desire to learn about and engage in public horticulture is required. Bachelor's or associate degree in progress in horticulture or related field is appreciated.

WORKING HOURS: Some schedule flexibility during the work week (Monday through Sunday), work hours completed within the 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. time frame. Occasional weekend watering duty and community meetings are required across the internship.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Work activities are performed in the outdoors, under the varying and sometimes demanding weather conditions associated with this time period

• During office hours, this position may need to show flexibility in limited space work environment; ability to move workstations based on available space

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, kneel, dig, and use hands, arms and legs to operate gardening tools and equipment. The employee is regularly required to lift and carry 40 pounds; and occasionally lift objects up to 50 lbs.

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

POST OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.