Greenhouse & Garden Manager – 18057
Description
The UCCS Farm Manager will supervise, oversee and coordinate the UCCS Farm program activities and operations in the UCCS Auxiliary unit of the Division of Student Success. The Farm Manager is responsible for the health, care and maintenance of plants, flowers, trees, bees and chickens in a controlled environment where the growth and availability of produce is scheduled to coincide with the buying public. The Manager leads the day-to-day operations and helps expand the Farm business opportunities while adhering to organic gardening and greenhouse standards. The Manager educates students visitors and the public in organic farming and greenhouse methods and may teach classes at the University. The Manager must enjoy hands-on growing activities and have expertise in all aspects of crop production.
Relationships:
Position must work with and establish positive, collegial relationships with the Division of Student Success and its directors including the Auxiliary Services Executive Management Team, and the directors within the campus Auxiliary Services units, The position must also work collaboratively with the Sustainability Office, the campus SWELL program, Campus Facilities Services and various academic departments including Health Sciences, Geography and Environmental Studies, and Chemistry.
Job Duties:
Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Supervision (10%)
- Interview, hire, train, coach, and evaluate student employees/grower staff.
- Interview, accept, train and schedule volunteers.
- Develop employee expectation manual and volunteer guidelines.
- Schedule staff in accordance with budgetary guidelines.
Operations (75%)
- Manage all aspects of crop production including schedule and supervision of all phases of the design, propagation, planting and maintenance of plants.
- Manage and oversee the planting, cultivation and harvesting of vegetables, flowers and trees.
- Keep day-to-day records of operations and prepare schedules for staff.
- Purchase supplies and manage budget.
- Determine propagation, potting, fertilizing, watering schedules.
- In collaboration with food service needs, decide what plants to produce.
- Calculate costs and decide wholesale pricing.
- Deploy organic pest and disease management strategies.
- Maintain environmental controls.
- Inventory control.
- Ensure upkeep of equipment and facilities.
- Maintain machines and equipment necessary for the planting, cultivation and distribution of the greenhouse crops.
- Upgrade and improve growing practices to include vertical farming.
- Act as a source of knowledge/education to students, staff, faculty and community in line with duties on the farm.
Business Development (10%)
- Collaborate with Auxiliary Marketing to promote The UCCS Farm’s programs and services.
- Develops and maintains revenue generating programs such as the annual UCCS Plant Sale and the weekly UCCS SummerFarm Stand in collaboration with SWELL (Sustainability, Wellness and Learning).
- Identify and apply for grants available.
Other duties include: (5%)
- Manages and directs in-person phone calls, mail and other documents.
- Ensures the timely submission of leave records and time sheets for employees.
- Processes incoming mail and monitors e-mail as required.
- Driving University vehicles.
Job Competencies:
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills. Must have the ability to work with a variety of constituents in a professional and diplomatic manner, and be able to respond to a variety of requests from a variety of sources effectively and in a pleasant manner.
- Knowledge of organic farming best practices.
- Must be self-sufficient and able to prioritize and juggle multiple assignments.
- Ability to set clear workplace boundaries and provide strong management.
- Demonstrate strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively within own unit and with other administrative and academic units.
- Demonstrated high commitment to service excellence, diversity and equity.
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations in a multi-cultural environment that is committed to diversity and equality in education while utilizing defined student learning outcomes.
- Working knowledge and experience with animal and plant life cycles.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Excel.
- Knowledge of hydroponics including drip, ebb and flow, and NFT systems as well as lighting configurations.
- Basic mechanical skills.
- Experience in irrigation systems installation and management.
- Innovative revenue generating or program development ideas.
- Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry up to 50 lbs.
This position has been determined to be exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Salary Range: $50,453 to $55,000
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers a full benefits package. Information on university benefits programs, including eligibility, is located at http://www.cu.edu/employee-services.
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in ecological horticulture, food science, nutritional engineering, organic farming, regenerative agriculture, permaculture, or related field.
- Minimum of 4 years of full-time supervisory experience in food or plant production, or equivalent part-time, internship, apprenticeship, or volunteer experience.
- Two years of full-time experience in greenhouse management, or equivalent part-time, internship, apprenticeship or volunteer experience.
Preferred Requirements:
- One year of experience with chicken husbandry.
- Minimum two seasons of beekeeping, preferably top bar hive.
- Demonstrated experience developing education programming, partnership programs,or creation of innovative programs to increase participation and/or revenue generation.
Special Instructions to Applicants: • Applications submitted by February 6, 2020 will receive full consideration. • Applications submitted through email or surface mail will not be considered. Please apply at www.cu.edu/cu-careers. • Upon request, please be prepared to provide five professional references (at least two previous/current supervisors), including their email contact information. • Official transcripts will be required upon hire. • Failure to properly attach the required documents, resume (CV), will result in automatic disqualification for this position. Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Unofficial transcript(s) Application Materials Instructions: If you have technical difficulties with your application, please contact the CU Careers help desk at 303-860-4200 #5 or cucareershelp@cu.edu. Job related inquiries should be directed to the posting contact.
Job Category
: Facilities/Labor,Trades & Crafts
Primary Location
: Colorado Springs
Department: C0001 — Colorado Springs Campus – 40264 – VCSS-AUX-SWELL
Schedule
: Full-time
Posting Date
: Jan 23, 2020
Unposting Date
: Ongoing
Posting Contact Name: Holly Murdock
Posting Contact Email: hmurdock@uccs.edu
