Position Title:

Farm Assistant (Casual)

 

Position Type:

Part time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

 

Categories:

Staff Non-exempt

 

Job Summary:

Bucknell University seeks a part-time, temporary Farm Assistant. The Farm Assistant (FA) will teach students in both the Rooke Greenhouse and the Bucknell Farm through the spring season. The Bucknell Farm supports a host of University courses and academic research, promotes campus sustainability efforts, provides fresh, organic produce to community food security efforts, offers recreational opportunities for students, faculty, and staff, and promotes wellness. This position is a part-time, temporary (casual), non-exempt, non-benefits-eligible staff position, and reports to the Farm and Garden Manager.

 

Job Duties:

What You Will Do:

 

Greenhouse Duties and Responsibilities:

• train greenhouse captains

• check on seedling production

• autoclave soil/compost for potting mix

• use (and train students to use) Greenhouse planting spreadsheet

 

Farm Duties and Responsibilities:

• lead student farmers and volunteers

• deliver produce from the Farm to community food programs

• independent farm work to prep for student sessions 

• apply organic sprays to fruit trees

• use and train students to use Planting Spreadsheet and Harvest log

• Create graphics on Canva

• Work with students to develop SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)

• Work independently when needed. 

• Attend Weekly Farm Walk Through to coordinate work flows

• Meet with Farm and Garden Manager weekly for support identifying priorities and planning workflow for the week.

 

Location/Schedule:

Typical weekly schedule will be approximately 20 hours/week, including the following

• Three nights weekly, 4-7pm (Wed., Friday, + one additional weeknight)
• One Saturday monthly, 12-3pm (Student Farm Trainings)
• Independent Work - flexible schedule including short weekend shifts
• Additional meeting time will be based on availability, typically on campus, with some remote attendance possible.
• There is potential for additional shifts leading student employees and volunteers at the Lewisburg Community Garden

Work Locations include; Bucknell Farm, Rooke Greenhouse, BCSE house, and remote work.

 

 

 

What You Will Bring:

 

Required minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

• Experience and familiarity with growing vegetables and fruits in our region

• Basic knowledge of organic growing practices and related tools and equipment

• Experience managing employees, volunteers, and/or students

• Prior experience working with a diverse workforce

• Demonstrated attention to detail

• Basic familiarity with electronic spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) and documents (Microsoft Word, Google Docs)

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks with different timelines

• Demonstrated ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with volunteers, employees, students, and other constituents

• Valid driver’s license

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evening hours and occasional weekend hours

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Relevant training such as: Horticultural Training, Master Gardener Certification, Pasa Diversified Vegetable Pre-Apprenticeship

• First Aid training

• Experience working with college students

 

Physical/Other Demands: 

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

• Bending, kneeling, stooping, pushing, pulling, reaching above and below shoulders, lifting.

• Ability to work outdoors; possible daily exposure to adverse weather conditions and temperature changes.

To Apply:

Applications must include cover letter and resume. Applications will only be accepted online at careers.bucknell.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

 

 

Job Exempt:

No

Salary Range:

16.00-17.00

 

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy. 

 

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

 

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role; 
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card 

 

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

 

Inclusive Excellence:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

 

E-Verify

Bucknell University participates with the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) E-Verify program.  We will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

For additional information regarding Bucknell's E-Verify requirements, please contact the office of Talent, Culture & Human Resources (570) 577-1631 or email hr@bucknell.edu.