Field Assistant

* The team of Field Assistants will work to accomplish highest priority tasks, which may take place in the FIT Plot or the Education Garden and may include weed management, equipment operation, harvesting, processing, propagation tasks, cleaning, general farm maintenance and other tasks as identified by program staff. * A team of Field Assistants will work to complete the following tasks:+ Approximately 25% (depending on the time of year): Lead harvest prep, harvest, and post-harvest processing, including doing crop counts; adhering to food safety SOPs, including twice daily harvest shed cleaning on harvest days; overseeing the cleaning of harvest bins and supplies; establishing size and quality standards for produce with other managers and Assistant Director; training FITs and volunteers in produce standards; leading harvest shed-packout for markets, CSAs, and wholesale orders of produce from both the FIT Field and the Education Garden; and leading harvests in the Education Garden.+ Approximately 25%: Supervising, training, and providing instruction to Farmers In Training, field assistants, and/or volunteers, in priority areas determined with other managers.+ Approximately 25%: Providing overall care for the Education Garden, including watering, maintenance, succession planting, high tunnel management, and care of perennials, which includes managing weekly irrigation and providing crop counts when in production.+ Approximately 25%: Working with other managers to determine and accomplish highest priority tasks, which may take place in the FIT Plot or the Education Garden and may include weed management, equipment operation, harvesting, processing, propagation tasks, cleaning, general farm maintenance and other tasks as identified by the Production Manager or Assistant Director.* Field Assistants are also responsible for setting a positive, professional and respectful tone; following training and work guidelines created by management and setting an example for farm team and volunteers in terms of timeliness, focus, pace, and accuracy in the field; adhering to Food Safety SOPs; following instructions and training and responding to feedback; demonstrating care for tools and farm equipment by appropriate use, cleaning, and storage, and completing online trainings to become a FLC authorized driver.* Field Assistants take on additional areas of responsibility, including leading groups of FITs, running the Farm Stand, attending early season Durango Farmers Market and/or assisting with CSA coordination.* Contributing to staff meetings * Creating content for social media and newsletters * Working at the Farm Stand or Durango Farmers Market * Packing the CSA * Restocking and cleaning the Country Store * Caring for perennials in the Education Garden * Processing storage crops * Assisting with setting up for, hosting, and cleaning up from public events * Two or more seasons of vegetable growing experience * At least one season growing at high elevations or in short seasons * One or more years’ experience in leadership or teaching roles, especially in a farming context * Experience working with teams from diverse backgrounds * Significant experience working independently as a farmer or in a physical job * Significant experience working in fast-paced environments, especially as a pace-setter * Successful experience working collaboratively as part of a team * Proficient with the use of Microsoft Office programs, Google Suite, and Dropbox + Interest in using google sheets for farm coordination* Ease with email, Slack messages, and phone calls as forms of team and professional communication * College degree in agriculture or related field * Experience using small equipment * While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to perform fine motor functions such as weeding, harvesting, packing, gripping, typing, texting, and operating tools. * The job is highly physical and requires nearly constant activity. * The use of hand tools is likely, including shovels, broad forks, digging forks, spades, rakes, and other tools. * The employee is required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds. * The employee is required to lift many items each day weighing between 5 and 40 pounds, especially on harvest days. * On a daily basis, the field manager must perform actions such as lifting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching, and use tools to dig, rake, tilth, and additional actions as needed. * Exempt includes workman’s compensation and sick leave* Hourly, 15-35 hours/week depending on season and responsibilities ;+ March and April: 15-20 hours/week+ May through October: 30-35 hours/week- Must include Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during season; Some Saturdays from mid-May through mid June at the Durango Farmers Market+ Early November: 15-20 hours/week* Start times: 8 a.m. or 7:30 a.m. for peak harvest days* Harvest days may run until 4 or 5 p.m.* 45 minute unpaid lunch break* March 15/May 1 through October 31/November 15th, depending on responsibilities* May take one unpaid week off during the farming season* Must be available May 13-15 (FIT Orientation) and August 29-30 (Convergence)**Notice to Prospective Employees:**The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act

of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report. The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about: Fort Lewis College, a public institution located in Durango, Colorado, offers degree programs in arts, business, education, health fields, humanities, social and natural sciences, and teacher education. Our inspiring mountain campus is located atop a scenic mesa overlooking historic Durango and situated between the San Juan Mountains and the desert Southwest. We are committed to accessible and high-quality baccalaureate education, and our hallmarks are remarkably close relationships between students and faculty, the freedom of intellectual exploration, and the challenge of experiential learning. Our 3,300 students come from 48 states, 17 countries, with 36% Native American and Alaska Native backgrounds, and 11% Hispanic backgrounds. Durango is a thriving multicultural community of 18,500 set along the beautiful Animas River Valley. Averaging 300 sunny days per year, the community is known for its outdoor lifestyle and friendly, festive atmosphere. Durango is also the cultural and economic hub of the Four Corners region, rich in dining, shopping, and entertainment, and linked with airline service to hubs in Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas. #J-18808-Ljbffr