Seasonal Garden Coordinator

Description:

POSITION TITLE: Seasonal Coordinator

DEPARTMENT: Programming GRADE: 3 FLSA: Non-Exempt FTE: .5

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Coordinates and performs garden activities in maintaining the library’s Discovery Garden as an educational, demonstration garden for the community. Seasonal work is 15-29 hours a week from March 1 through October 31, 2025.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the direct supervision of the Head of Programming

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None

BENEFITS:

Benefits include vacation and sick leave, and 13 paid holidays. Employees are eligible for employer-paid vision insurance, dental insurance, and an Appleton Clinics membership. Voluntary benefits include voluntary life and AD&D policies, and supplemental insurance benefits. Retirement options are available after one year of employment.

SALARY: $17.50-18.50 per hour, depending on experience

Are you passionate about the transformative power of libraries? Do you want to make a difference in your community? Mesa County Libraries are looking for the right person to provide exceptional writing, editing and design skills to help promote our events and services to our library patrons.

If you…

• Are a motivated, self-starter who can multi-task, problem-solve, and implement a plan that must stay flexible and responsive to organic changes
• Have a passion for gardening, sustainability, and want to share that passion by working with a team of enthusiastic volunteers
• Enjoy working outdoors and have experience with planting, irrigation, and garden maintenance
• Love libraries and want to support educational and hands-on learning experiences for the community

…then we have a great spot for you! As our Garden Coordinator, you can help enrich lives, build

community, and ensure that our Discovery Garden continues to be a safe, clean, pesticide-free, permaculture-focused space for all to enjoy!

Requirements:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Organizes and performs garden activities - such as planting, vegetable harvest, irrigation, gardenscape maintenance, etc.

• - in accordance with the Garden Operating Plan, which is updated annually by the Garden Advisory committee.
• Spend approximately 15-29 hours per week, depending on seasonal needs, on garden activities, including a consistent schedule, depending on seasonal needs.
• Consult with the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator on the availability and use of volunteers for plantings, workdays, and projects in the garden.
• Work with library volunteers to accomplish garden tasks.
• Work with Facilities staff on maintenance issues and equipment problems that arise in the garden.
• In coordination with Facilities staff, perform basic operation, maintenance, and minor repair of the Discovery Garden's irrigation system.
• Implement Garden Operating Plan within the garden budget and keep the garden calendar up-to-date.
• Ensure garden plants are appropriately watered according to their needs.
• Regularly weed and clean up the garden.
• Maintain compost bins, hoop house, and other garden features.
• Apply permaculture principles and practices that are acceptable in the Grand Valley's climate, and learn more about the subject as appropriate.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Engage with Discovery Garden visitors to answer questions and discuss the garden. Share information on how to volunteer to work in the garden.
• Attend monthly meetings of the Discovery Garden Advisory Committee that occur between March and October. Give feedback on the next version of the library’s annual Garden Operating Plan.
• Arrange with the Head of Programming any needs for supplies that arise, following established MCL purchasing procedures based on the approved budget.
• May attend outreach events to ensure opportunities are promoted to the entire community and to support librarywide goals.
• Communicates consistently and in a timely manner and through email. Works with others to complete assignments.
• Maintains self-development and keeps up-to-date on Library operations and developments: Attends monthly staff meetings and training; attends external trainings as requested; stays aware of changes via staff wiki.
• Performs additional duties as assigned or as opportunities arise that assist the department and the Library in achieving specific goals and objectives.

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR COMPETENCIES

• Communication
• Creativity/Innovation
• Results Focus

LIBRARY CORE COMPETENCIES

• Customer Focus
• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Initiative
• Organizational Savvy
• Teamwork

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledgeable about permaculture principles and practices in western Colorado and willing to learn more about the subject.
• Familiarity with safe and proper use of garden tools and basic maintenance, operation, and repair of a garden irrigation system.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and listening skills; ability to communicate with library staff; ability to work well with a variety of garden volunteers and library staff.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively.
• Skill in understanding and applying oral, written, illustrated or demonstrated instructions.
• Proficiency in office software and contemporary technology skills; ability to effectively use all office technology available.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license.
• Fluency in Spanish is a bonus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to maneuver about the library and garden in a timely fashion.
• Ability to bend to floor level or reach a height of 65 inches.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds from the floor to a height of 3 feet.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exposure to varying conditions including extreme heat, direct sun, extreme cold, rain or snow.
• Frequent exposure to dust, allergens, and other airborne particles.
• May be exposed to fumes and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• May work with pesticides and herbicides.
• Subject to many interruptions.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Combination of four years’ experience and/or education in a related field.
  • Education can include college or vocational or technical training.
  • Education can include certification as a Master Gardener.
  • Experience can include public library service.

SCHEDULE:

Unpaid meal break of at least ½ hour per day to be taken for each 5 hours scheduled.

Some weekend hours will be required for garden workdays.

Must be available to work flexible hours when needed.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and/or people of color are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every qualification. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workforce. If you're excited about this role, feel a passion for our mission, this feels like it could be your dream job, but your previous experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply!

For the full job description, email hr@mcpld.org.

PROCESS:

Upload a cover letter and current resume and submit your assessment.

Due to the number of applications received, we are unable to provide feedback regarding the status of your application. All applicants will be contacted by email or phone within two weeks of the position closing date. Applications received prior to Wednesday, February 26 at 5:00 p.m. will be considered.

Mesa County Public Library District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. For more information about E-verify, please visit this link: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/what-is-e-verify