What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vegetable and Fruit Gardener position at City of Fort Collins?
POSITION TITLE: Vegetable and Fruit Gardener (Hourly)
REQUISITION #: req8029
DEPARTMENT: Cultural Services
LOCATION: GARDENS ON SPRING CREEK
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly
HOURLY RATE: $16.00 - 19.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 3/17/2025.
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 and Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) required.
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 AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT (MVR) REQUIRED.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
REQUISITION #: req8029
DEPARTMENT: Cultural Services
LOCATION: GARDENS ON SPRING CREEK
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly
HOURLY RATE: $16.00 - 19.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 3/17/2025.
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 and Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) 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.
Summary:
The Vegetable and Fruit Gardener reports to the Community Gardens Outreach Coordinator. Primary responsibilities of this position will be in the Garden of Eatin’, a one-acre site dedicated to edible plants and crops, including vegetables, fruits and herbs. This garden serves as a living classroom, providing ideas and demonstrating crops appropriate to grow in Northern Colorado. This position may occasionally assist with the Community Gardens Program. This position will assist in preparing Plant it Forward produce donations for transport to the Food Bank for Larimer county.
Essential Duties:
The Vegetable and Fruit Gardener reports to the Community Gardens Outreach Coordinator. Primary responsibilities of this position will be in the Garden of Eatin’, a one-acre site dedicated to edible plants and crops, including vegetables, fruits and herbs. This garden serves as a living classroom, providing ideas and demonstrating crops appropriate to grow in Northern Colorado. This position may occasionally assist with the Community Gardens Program. This position will assist in preparing Plant it Forward produce donations for transport to the Food Bank for Larimer county.
Essential Duties:
- Perform various gardening tasks including but not limited to: rototilling, seeding, transplanting, watering, irrigation, weeding, mulching, pruning, deadheading, and harvesting
- Use of power machinery and equipment such as a Dingo, rototiller, string trimmers, and hedge trimmers; various hand tools such as shovels, digging forks, trowels, hoes, pruners, etc.
- Prepare garden beds, seed, transplant, harvest and care for a diversity of vegetable, herb and fruit crops and practices, such as, but not limited to, cool/warm season crops, succession planting, use of row cover crop protection and insect scouting
- Directly work with and manage volunteer activities with and without direct supervision
- Inventory and organize supplies
- Frequently responds to the needs of visitors at the Gardens on Spring Creek
- Administrative and Garden of Eatin’ record keeping tasks
- May assist with greenhouse and hoop house propagation and maintenance
- Assists with The Gardens’ annual Plant Sale fundraiser event
- Operates City vehicles and equipment both on and off-site
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.
Minimum Qualifications:
-Physical ability and stamina to perform duties including bending, lifting, digging, pushing, and kneeling
-Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
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.
Work Benefits:
Working Hours:
Some schedule flexibility during the 40-hour work week (Monday through Friday), work hours generally completed within the 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. time frame. Some weekend shifts will be required as necessary.
Working Conditions:
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 frequently required to lift and carry 26-50 pounds and occasionally lift and carry objects 50-60 pounds.
- Must be 18 years or older
- Valid driver's license and good driving record
- Knowledge and experience of food crop production practices in an outdoor garden setting
- Knowledge and experience in use of garden tools and equipment
- Willing and able to do strenuous physical work in a productive and efficient manner
- Learns quickly and follows directions well
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral or schedule form
- Self-directed, responsible, willingness to learn and uses good judgment
- Works well as part of a team and individually
- Presents positive image while working in public settings
- Physical, mental, and cognitive abilities sufficient to perform the essential duties outlined above
- These include:
-Physical ability and stamina to perform duties including bending, lifting, digging, pushing, and kneeling
-Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
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.
Work Benefits:
- Possible paid holiday and personal leave time based on hours worked
- Health and Wellness classes and incentives available
- Boot reimbursements and issued logo attire
- Mentored by world-class, knowledgeable, and experienced Gardens professionals
- Training opportunities to expand educational background
Working Hours:
Some schedule flexibility during the 40-hour work week (Monday through Friday), work hours generally completed within the 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. time frame. Some weekend shifts will be required as necessary.
Working Conditions:
- 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 a limited space work environment; ability to move workstations based on available space
- Will wear proper safety gear including, but not limited to, gloves, safety-toed boots, safety glasses and ear protection as required
- May attend weekly staff meetings and safety meetings as scheduled
- City of Fort Collins works together with staff to prevent the spread of germs (COVID, etc.) to maintain a clean, safe environment
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 frequently required to lift and carry 26-50 pounds and occasionally lift and carry objects 50-60 pounds.
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 AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT (MVR) REQUIRED.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
Salary : $16 - $19
