What are the responsibilities and job description for the Propagation Associate (Part-Time) position at ECHO INC.?
INTRODUCTION:
ECHO will accomplish its vision through the following framework:
This role assists the Propagation Manager in tasks necessary for ECHO’s North Fort Myers campus, which serves as an SFRC (Small Farm Resource Center) supporting the NAIC, ECHO’s overseas network, and as an educational tool to connect the public with ECHO’s mission. Responsibilities include training interns, resourcing network members, and conducting community workshops.
This position is heavily focused on day-to-day farm operations, requiring strong physical labor and cross-training with the Propagation Manager. It also involves collaboration across SFRC departments and ECHO’s RICs (Regional Impact Centers).
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 required.
A background in agriculture, landscaping, or horticultural is preferred. Experience with tropical plants and this specific ecosystem is highly desirable.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
The work environment is mostly outdoors under varying weather conditions for extended periods. However, some work will take place 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 function of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, bend, stoop and kneel. Climbing ladders and stairs is also required. The employee must be able to lift, pull, and push moderate to heavy weights, occasionally up to 50 pounds while following appropriate safety procedures. Additionally, the role requires the ability to handle, grasp, and feel objects and equipment, as well as reach with hands and arms.
POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
None
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.
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 assists the Propagation Manager in tasks necessary for ECHO’s North Fort Myers campus, which serves as an SFRC (Small Farm Resource Center) supporting the NAIC, ECHO’s overseas network, and as an educational tool to connect the public with ECHO’s mission. Responsibilities include training interns, resourcing network members, and conducting community workshops.
This position is heavily focused on day-to-day farm operations, requiring strong physical labor and cross-training with the Propagation Manager. It also involves collaboration across SFRC departments and ECHO’s RICs (Regional Impact Centers).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct walk-throughs to identify and formulate weekly to-do lists for plant care, management, and inventory; assist the Propagation Assistant in setting weekly goals.
- Support volunteers on Tuesdays, ensuring their well-being and productive engagement in work teams.
- Provide technical assistance with grafting, air layering, and seed germination.
- Check irrigation systems and ensure correct zone irrigation management.
- Assist in internship-related and administrative decision-making as needed.
- Oversee Propagation "plant requests" and ensure production, reservation, or ordering of:
- GF3
- Forage Bank
- MT Intern Syntropic System
- 12 Seasons Papayas
- Ison grape order
- Chad pineapples order
- Coordinate with the retail nursery to fulfill orders and address inventory deficiencies identified in Monday walk-throughs.
- Assist in teaching TAD 1 and TAD 2 in July.
- Participate in end-of-year internship and perennial specialist meetings with each AOR for 2025-2026 planning, documenting for the Propagation Manager’s return.
- Support Propagation Assistant with interns on Tuesday afternoons.
- Advise the Community Garden Intern.
- Oversee March Inventory/Audit and assist with June Inventory/Audit.
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 required.
- Must subscribe to the ECHO Statement of Faith or the Apostle’s Creed and possess character traits consistent with ECHO’s core values.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with others.
- Must be self-motivated and self-directed, capable of managing multiple projects.
- Ability to provide project management while leading volunteers or work teams.
- Strong communication skills to coordinate with co-workers.
- Sensitivity and responsiveness to the spiritual and relational needs of others.
A background in agriculture, landscaping, or horticultural is preferred. Experience with tropical plants and this specific ecosystem is highly desirable.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
- Positions directly supervised: None
- Positions indirectly supervised: Volunteers, Work Teams
The work environment is mostly outdoors under varying weather conditions for extended periods. However, some work will take place 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 function of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, bend, stoop and kneel. Climbing ladders and stairs is also required. The employee must be able to lift, pull, and push moderate to heavy weights, occasionally up to 50 pounds while following appropriate safety procedures. Additionally, the role requires the ability to handle, grasp, and feel objects and equipment, as well as reach with hands and arms.
POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
- Part-Time: 24 hours per week
- Temporary: March 2025 and end July 2025
- Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job demand.
None
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.
