It is cold now, but soon enough buds will be bursting, plants will be sprouting, and birds will be singing. It is time to start planning for the 2014 growing season. We will be accepting applications for two interns through April 9, 2014. Read below for more of the details.
Hours per Week: 6 hrs in spring (through mid-May); 40 hrs in summer (mid-May through August)
Job Description:
The Sustainability Office is offering two paid Garden Internship positions to students starting in late-April 2014 until late-August 2014. Garden interns will help manage and promote the organic community vegetable/herb garden on campus. This is a physically demanding, yet very rewarding job. Work includes long days and exposure to outdoor elements (e.g., heat, sun, rain, etc.). The student interns are expected to coordinate and organize volunteers and student work parties, as well as carry out an independent garden project from conception to completion. The Garden Interns will report directly to garden manager Beth Roy, and should expect weekly or bi-weekly progress meetings as well as an end of season performance review. Interns will work in close collaboration with other Colgate students, faculty, and staff to plan and manage the garden. The student interns will gain life-long skills and knowledge in planting and maintaining an organic garden, organizing events, and supervising volunteer workers.
To apply, send a resume and one page cover letter to garden manager, Beth Roy (eroy@colgate.edu). The application deadline is April 9.
Required Skills and Experience:
Key Responsibilities
- Work with garden manager Beth Roy to plan and manage the garden during the spring and summer seasons. Specific tasks include preparing soil, cultivating, planting, weeding, and harvesting.
- Organize and supervise volunteer work parties.
- Coordinate with Green Thumbs presidents to schedule a weekly time for volunteer work parties, and be at the garden during those scheduled times to supervise those work parties.
- Manage an individual garden project, from conception to completion.
- Provide continuity for work on the garden throughout the 2014 growing season.
Recommended Qualifications and Skills
- Strong work ethic and self-motivated.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Preference will be given to those with experience and firsthand knowledge in farming and/or gardening with vegetable crops; though previous garden experience is not required.
- Experience organizing and supervising the work of others.
- Tolerance for hard work and exposure to outdoor elements.
- Excitement about promoting local farming and local food production.
Work Requirements and Benefits
Student interns will begin planning in late-March and will begin field work in late-April, working 6 hours per week. On May 19 this will change to 40 hours per week ending in late-August. In collaboration with Beth Roy, the two interns will develop a summer schedule where each intern can independently take off two weeks during the summer to visit family/friends or take vacation. The garden internship position is rewarding but demanding work that involves physical exertion and exposure to the outdoor elements.
To apply, send resume and one page cover letter to garden manager, Beth Roy (eroy@colgate.edu) and also apply through the Colgate Portal. The application deadline is April 9.
Starting Hourly Rate: spring semester – $8.55 (estimated because Financial Aid ultimately determines pay rate); summer – $10.00
Supervisor: Beth Roy, Garden Manager
Key Contacts: John Pumilio, Director of Sustainability; Christopher Henke, Associate Professor and faculty advisor to the garden; Beth Roy, Colgate Community Garden Consultant