Job Title: Community Gardner Assistant
Department: Health Department
Reports To: Registered Dietitian
Job Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Type: Regular Part Time
Grade: D
JOB SUMMARY:
The Community Gardener Assistant works alongside the Community Gardener to oversee, organize, and facilitate garden activities as planned through the Community Garden Program. The primary function of the Community Garden staff is to maintain the health of the garden, assist with ordering and planting seeds and starts, harvest and distribute produce, keep the garden areas neat and organized, assist with volunteers and temporary workers assigned to the garden, and build community partnerships that support the Community Garden program.
MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Garden Maintenance & Produce Distribution
- Assist with ordering garden supplies, tools, seeds, plant starts, and soil amendments.
- Plant and rotate crops, weed garden area, and water the garden on a daily basis or as needed to maintain the health of the garden. Monitor and maintain automated watering systems.
- Prepare the garden spaces for the winter months.
- Keep the garden storage spaces (e.g., tool sheds and walk-in refrigerator) neat and organized.
- Keep the garden areas free of garbage, rocks, and other debris.
- Cut the grass and weeds around the garden.
- Maintain structures within the garden, including the greenhouse, garden beds, and tool sheds.
- Flower Garden Maintenance – Renew existing flower gardens and help establish larger perennial beds. Edge and work borders and beds. Plant annuals, perennials, and bulbs in existing garden areas; water and mulch planting; deadhead spent flowers and remove dead annuals in the fall.
- Assist with the harvest and distribution of produce, including deliveries to the Health Clinic, Elders Lunch facility, and individual Tribal members as needed.
- Community Engagement
- Provide individual and group tours of the two Community Gardens for Tribal members and community partners as requested.
- Independently and in collaboration with other staff, plan and lead on-site workshops and activities at the Community Gardens and other NIT facilities (e.g., Elders complex) for youth, Elders, families, etc. to demonstrate how to grow, prepare, and preserve various fruits, vegetables, herbs, and traditional plants.
- Help manage the Community Garden Facebook page. Take photos to share with the community.
- Incorporate traditional gardening techniques and promote the growth, harvest, and consumption of native plants. Provide education on sustainable garden practices.
- Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants.
- Administrative Duties
- Maintain records of group activities, group participants, and produce that is harvested and distributed for reporting purposes.
- Assess need for garden supplies and request purchases that fit within the parameters of the budget.
- Keep track of purchases made and submit receipts to the Registered Dietitian for processing.
- Collaboration & Outreach
- Work with local organizations (e.g., Master Gardeners) to help promote the garden and make improvements.
- Participate in community events and outreach programs such as Community Resource Fairs.
- Build relationships and coordinate with community partners in the completion of projects that center on expanding food sovereignty and food access.
OTHER DUTIES:
Because of the Tribe's commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.
PREFERENCE:
- Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The following qualifications are required for the incumbent to have, in order to be considered for the position.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION:
- High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) and
REQUIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION:
- Knowledge and experience with organic vegetable gardening and/or farming in the Pacific Northwest and gathering and processing traditional native plants (e.g., Devil’s club, rose hips, blue camas, berries, and stinging nettle).
- Knowledge of garden planning, irrigation, and equipment maintenance and operation.
- Skill in using standard gardening equipment including hand tools, tractors, rototillers, and irrigation systems.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- Creative problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work with families, Elders, and youth independently and in collaboration with other staff.
- Ability to work with a variety of personalities.
- Ability to work some holidays, weekends and evenings throughout the year.
- Reading and understanding Farmer’s Almanac.
- Capable of emptying compost bin, replenishing wood chips, and maintaining walkways and garden beds.
- Skill in utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, and other database software program to assist with reporting.
- Ability to map/grid planting areas and construct garden beds.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently without supervision.
REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- Must pass alcohol/drug test at time of hire and throughout employment.
- Must pass criminal background check at time of hire and periodically thereafter.
REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:
- Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. (Must Provide Driving Abstract at time of hire).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.):
- May occasionally need to work evenings and weekends for watering, etc.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, or lift for long periods.
- Manual dexterity to operate a shovel, wheel barrel, and lawn mower or small rototiller.
- Ability to lift up to 20+ pounds without assistance occasionally.
- Typical garden setting with environmentally outdoors conditions i.e. rain, sun.
- Read, write, speak and understand English
- Ability to listen, understands, and has the ability to translate rules, regulations, and policies to clients so they understand the issues/problems.
- Operate in mentally and physically stressful situations with composure.
- May have to walk/drive between office locations under a variety of conditions.
- Must be able to bend, reach, kneel, twist, and grip from assigned work areas.
DESIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION
The following qualifications are preferred/helpful for the incumbent who has these skills/knowledge or abilities for this position.
- Certification in the field and/or experience working with community gardens, as well as with native plants for traditional and medicinal practices is highly preferred.
- Familiar with the Nooksack Community and other gardening resources available for the community.