What are the responsibilities and job description for the Agricultural Assistant, Propagation position at Echo Communications?
Introduction
ECHO will accomplish its vision through the following framework:
This role exists to assist the Propagation Manager, including in the implementation of tasks necessary for the function of ECHO’s campus in North Fort Myers, which serves as a SFRC that supports the NAIC and ECHO’s overseas network and as an educational tool, connecting the public to ECHO’s mission. This position will assist in training interns, resourcing network members and conducting community workshops. This position focuses on day-to-day farm operations, requiring a strong labor component and cross-training with the Propagation Manager. Collaborate and cross pollinate with each of the SFRC Departments and ECHO’s other RICs.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability needed.
The work environment is mostly outdoors under varying conditions for extended periods of time; however, there are times when work is conducted in an office setting.
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. The employee must regularly work outdoors and may at times assist Ag staff with entering data and other tasks that involve writing or working on the computer. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand (for at least two consecutive hours), walk, use hands, talk and hear. Fine motor skills, such as typing, using a computer mouse, and handling telephone handset, are required. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and use ladders. The employee is required to sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch. Additionally, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Position Type And Expected Hours Of Work
This is a full-time position. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, with flexible start and end times. On-campus housing may be provided with the understanding that weekend and occasional evening work are essential aspects of the job.
Travel
Occasional travel to local conferences, events and trainings.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Aap/Eeo Statement
ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.
In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status, genetic information, or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.
ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.
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ECHO will accomplish its vision through the following framework:
- Goal #1: Strengthen & Grow the ECHO Network (Increase Breadth of Network).
- Goal #2: Serve to Increase Network Capacity (Increase Depth of Network / RIC specific).
- Goal #3: Strengthen & Build the Capacity of a Seed Banking Network (Advance Global Seed Banking).
- Goal #4: Strengthen and Build the Capacity of the Network to Practice Agroecology (Champion Agroecology).
- Goal #5: Partner in Biblical holistic mission with the global Church.
- Goal #1&2 by providing materials and trainings related to nursery management and propagation techniques to network members. Providing skills and tools to increase capacity of network with food security options.
- Goal #3 by providing germplasm to our network, Seed Bank, Global Farm, Livestock and Perennial Systems Managers.
- Goal #4 by providing materials and skills to practice agroecology through conducting trainings that teaches agroecology with implementation and demonstration at the North America Impact Center (NAIC) and within the community.
This role exists to assist the Propagation Manager, including in the implementation of tasks necessary for the function of ECHO’s campus in North Fort Myers, which serves as a SFRC that supports the NAIC and ECHO’s overseas network and as an educational tool, connecting the public to ECHO’s mission. This position will assist in training interns, resourcing network members and conducting community workshops. This position focuses on day-to-day farm operations, requiring a strong labor component and cross-training with the Propagation Manager. Collaborate and cross pollinate with each of the SFRC Departments and ECHO’s other RICs.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Assist the Propagation Manager in tasks including, but not limited to:
- Pulling retail orders & creating invoices
- Submitting paperwork and recording inventory data
- Maintaining grafts
- Maintaining nursery infrastructure
- Propagating and potting plants (seeding up, taking cuttings, air-layering, grafting, dividing)
- Organizing and keeping propagation, seeding up, and potting up areas tidy
- Lead volunteers in propagation activities
- Irrigate greenhouse and hoop house plants during the week and weekends.
- Manage presale and shade house irrigation during the week and on the weekends.
- Apply pesticides under the guidance and oversight of the Propagation Manager in accordance with EPA worker protection standards for safe pesticide application in Propagation areas.
- Utilize volunteer labor to accomplish department tasks.
- Operate farm equipment (skid steer, tractors, chainsaws and mowers) as necessary to support the projects and activities of the Propagation Manager.
- Provide emergency assistance on the ECHO campus during evenings and weekends for events such as irrigation leaks, freeze protection, fire, or other emergencies. This duty requires a mobile phone and on-campus housing.
- Cross-train with the Propagation Manager on key responsibilities and tasks; manage and supervise volunteers, partner members, and interns in the absence of the Propagation Manager.
- Assist in training, including interns, workshops at NAIC, and in the community.
- Cover chores as needed. This position works in tandem with the Farm-AT Assistant to cover chores in the event of absence. The Propagation Assistant is expected to cover chores (irrigation, freeze/frost protection, animal chores) for the Farm/AT Assistant in the event of their absence. Propagation and Farm/AT assistants will communicate so that scheduled vacations do not overlap.
- Participate in farm work to lend support to other departments.
- Collaborate and provide support to all other SFRC departments.
- Additional duties as requested by the Propagation Manager or the SFRC Team Leader.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability needed.
- College degree (preferably in an agricultural related field) or nursery experience
- Prior farm and overseas experience helpful, especially in plant propagation.
- Must be comfortable working with, training, and managing volunteers, interns, and ECHO partners.
- Must be willing to work with others to accomplish tasks.
- Adequate computer skills and attention to detail
- Possess character traits consistent with ECHO's core values.
- Must subscribe to the ECHO Statement of Faith.
- Close collaboration with the Propagation Manager, Seed Bank and Farm staff
- Positions directly supervised: volunteers
- Positions indirectly supervised: interns
The work environment is mostly outdoors under varying conditions for extended periods of time; however, there are times when work is conducted in an office setting.
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. The employee must regularly work outdoors and may at times assist Ag staff with entering data and other tasks that involve writing or working on the computer. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand (for at least two consecutive hours), walk, use hands, talk and hear. Fine motor skills, such as typing, using a computer mouse, and handling telephone handset, are required. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and use ladders. The employee is required to sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch. Additionally, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Position Type And Expected Hours Of Work
This is a full-time position. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, with flexible start and end times. On-campus housing may be provided with the understanding that weekend and occasional evening work are essential aspects of the job.
Travel
Occasional travel to local conferences, events and trainings.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Aap/Eeo Statement
ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.
In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status, genetic information, or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.
ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.
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