Grant-Funded Alliance Garden Manager (Seasonal)

Summary of Position: The Alliance Garden Manager position serves the Alliance Garden in the capacity determined by the director/USDA Grant Primary Investigator. Primary responsibilities include managing the Alliance Gardens, overseeing the USDA Research, Education and Extension Undergraduate (REEU) Fellows, and serving as a liaison to the community. This person must work independently, be self-motivated, and be disciplined with time management. This role should meet the following outcomes: facilitation of timely planting and harvest; aesthetic, well-kept garden properties; and proper winterization of gardens. This seasonal employee will assist in managing and training the REEU fellows, interns, and student garden employees. Therefore, this person must have good organization and communication skills. Additionally, this person must be experienced in record keeping, as they will be expected to assist in data keeping required by the USDA grant and as well as maintain productivity logs for the gardens.

This role must adhere to all safety regulations and IWU safety policy. The manager must comply with any processes and procedures established by Indiana Wesleyan University administration.

This is a grant-funded, four month seasonal role serving approximately 40 hours per week.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Use discretion and independent judgement with regard to planting, maintaining and harvesting garden produce
• Train, supervise and manage REEU Fellows, students and volunteers
• Provide technical, instructional and advisory support for REEU Fellows
• Oversee the safety of seasonal research employees and guests as they work with chemicals, tools and potentially adverse weather conditions
• Assist the USDA REEU Principal Investigator with curriculum development and educational instruction for both seasonal research employees and garden guests
• Assist the USDA REEU Principal Investigator with data collection and reporting to USDA
• Manage daily maintenance of the Alliance Gardens: watering (plots have irrigation system), weed and pest control
• Work with Alliance Garden director and staff to manage the harvest and distribution of IWU Farm Boxes

Qualifications: According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

Education

• Minimum of Bachelors’ of Science degree in a related field

Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year working in the horticultural field is required
• Minimum of one (1) year of previous professional experience associated with the responsibilities of this position

Required Skills

• Excellent “people skills” to lead, inspire, motivate, and work cooperatively and harmoniously with fellow employees, volunteers, committees, members, and the public
• Proven ability to complete assigned tasks and projects, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks
• Capability to supervise others (including interns and volunteers) with daily garden tasks
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office preferred
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry 40 lb. bags of soil, transferring mulch, planting, and heavy lifting are all regular aspects of this position
• Work is primarily outdoors, therefore, candidate must also have the ability to and be willing to work in a variety of conditions including heat, cold, and rain

Diversity Statement

IWU commits to create a community that reflects kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment that exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member’s earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C., Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.