Plant Technician 2 - Organic Farm

Bulletin number: 2011-048SM

Opens: 12/14/2011

Closing date: 01/17/2012 at 5:00pm PST
Note: This bulletin is being reposted to reflect the correct closing date. The College will be closed on Monday, January 16, 2012 in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Committed to equal opportunity and operating with an Affirmative Action Plan, The Evergreen State College is working to build a diverse faculty and staff.  We strongly encourage qualified persons of all races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations, people with disabilities, persons over forty, women, Vietnam Era and disabled veterans to apply.

SPECIAL NOTE
There is currently one half-time, twelve month per year, classified, and overtime eligible Plant Technician 2 position available at the Organic Farm on the Olympia campus of The Evergreen State College. The candidate pool established from this announcement may be used to fill comparable permanent, full-time, part-time and temporary vacancies in the future.

COLLEGE PROFILE
The Evergreen State College is a progressive, public liberal arts and sciences college located in Olympia, Washington, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Since opening its doors in 1971, Evergreen has established a national reputation for leadership in developing innovative interdisciplinary, collaborative and team-taught academic programs. The college has a vibrant undergraduate program, graduate programs, and public service centers that constitute a unique academic setting. The college values a student-centered learning environment, a link between theory and practice, and a multicultural community of diverse faculty, students and staff working together. Current enrollment is approximately 4,800.  For more information about Evergreen, please visit our college catalog or our website: http://www.evergreen.edu

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree; and
• A science / agricultural educational and experiential background.

COMPENSATION

• Experience and training may be considered in salary placement;
• Salary range is $1,241 - $1,606.50 per month, based on 0.5 FTE;
• A full state benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid campus holidays; a generous medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.  For more information about Evergreen's excellent employee benefits, please visit http://www.evergreen.edu/payroll/employeebenefits.htm;
• Staff are eligible for a free local bus/transit pass;
• After completion of the probationary period, employees are eligible for the statewide tuition waiver program.

POSITION PURPOSE
Care for and maintain plants for developmental, research, and/or instructional purposes. Assist the Farm Instructional Classroom and Support Technician 3 (ICST 3) in supporting the work of the farm to meet the mission and goals of providing organic farming curricula, demonstrate farming techniques and lead the work of student farm aides.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Farm Operations (75%)

• Perform weeding, irrigating, fertilizing, breeding, management, and general care of plants, including those for research and teaching functions;
• Observe plants for symptoms indicating disease or insect infestation;
• Take appropriate action and administer prescribed treatment for diseases or pest control;
• Maintain farm, greenhouse and nursery facilities in clean and working order;
• Perform record keeping tasks that may relate to budget, organic certification, capital requests, inventory, etc. as requested by farm leadership;
• Facilitate sales and monitor inventory of farm produce in accordance with college and state policies and procedures;
• Lead the work of farm student staff including regularly assigning, instructing, and checking the work of those employees on an ongoing basis.
• Serve on Farm Board;
• Monitor and maintain the general operability of the farm facilities and associated equipment.

Demonstrate Farming Techniques (20%)

• Assist and instruct students and faculty in selected farm techniques and practices;
• Acquire and prepare equipment and supplies needed to implement the agricultural curriculum.

Additional Duties (5%)

• Maintain close working relationships with the agriculture faculty;
• Take part in discussions with program faculty to implement and enhance delivery of the agricultural curriculum;
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated skill and ability in raising vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural crops;
• Demonstrated skill and ability in managing pests and diseases on an organic farm;
• Demonstrated skill and ability in using, maintaining, and repairing tools and equipment common to a small organic farm;
• Demonstrated skill and ability in demonstrating farming techniques to others;
• Ability to create and properly maintain records, documents, and inventories;
• Ability to work within budgetary constraints;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of students, staff, faculty and the public;
• Demonstrated skill and ability in leading the work of others;
• Ability to work independently, and complete tasks in a timely fashion.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• As a condition of employment, persons hired must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three days of beginning work, and persons may be required to submit to a background check;
• This position is assigned to part of the institution that is covered by a union shop provision of the Department of Personnel/Higher Education Division.  Therefore, new employees are required to pay dues to the Federation of State Employees within thirty days of their hiring date.

APPLICATION PROCESS Please carefully read the job bulletin and submit all requested items by the closing date listed above.  The committee in its screening of applicants will assume your abilities and experience include only those elements specifically documented within your application materials. TO SUCCESSFULLY APPLY AND BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION YOU MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT ALL THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS: 1.    Possess the skills and abilities required to perform the position; 2.    Complete the General Application form (Word | PDF); and 3.    Complete a Key Skills and Abilities Inventory form (Word | PDF) to indicate your ability to perform the essential functions of the position. By submitting a completed application for this position you are acknowledging that all of the information that you have submitted to apply for this job is true and complete to the best of your knowledge. You understand that The Evergreen State College may verify this information and that untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if you are hired. If invited for an on campus interview, you may be required to pay your own travel expenses. Materials may be submitted using any one of the following options:   Email: jobline@evergreen.edu Mail: The Evergreen State College Human Resource Services, Library Bldg Room 3102 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW Olympia, WA  98505 Fax: (360) 867-6823 Or in person to the Human Resource Services office, Libray Building room 3102. Application materials submitted to the College become property of the College and will not be returned. To request disability accommodation in the application process, call the Human Resource Services Office at (360) 867-5361 (voice), or (360) 867-6834 (TTY) or email your request to jobline@evergreen.edu.

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