Garden Field Tech 1 in Shelton, Washington at Squaxin Island Tribe

Position: Garden Field Tech 1

Department: Garden Program (Salish Roots Farm)

Reports To: Community Garden Manager, Patricia Green, Field Supervisor, Redwolf Krise

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Time Status: .8 (32 hours a week)

TS Range: 3/4 ($17.35 per hour)

Open Until Filled

SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Farm Manager, this position assists with daily tasks of the Salish Roots Farm. This is a three quarter-time, seasonal position with hours that may fluctuate from half time to full time depending on the need. Weekend hours may be required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Support the team to carry out day-to-day tasks.

· Assist with planting, watering, and harvesting crops.

· Maintain the cleanliness and organization of garden beds, pathways, and tools.

· Weed and mulch garden beds to prevent weed growth and conserve moisture.

· Assist with pest and disease management using organic methods, such as hand-picking pests and applying organic pesticides or repellents.

· Participate in soil preparation activities, such as tilling, composting, and applying organic fertilizers.

· Help with irrigation system setup and maintenance, including watering and adjusting irrigation schedules as needed.

· Assist with pruning, trellising, and staking of plants to ensure proper growth and support.

· Follow all safety protocols and use personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

· Assist with farm events, educational programs, and workshops as needed.

· Learn and apply sustainable and organic farming principles and practices throughout the duration of the summer program.

· Assists and receives training with SPORE program, Salish Place of Remediation Education, Squaxin Community Mushroom Lab

· Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The successful candidate must

· Be a self-starter.

· Be punctual and have strong time management skills.

· Be able to work for long durations in inclement weather.

· Be able to perform and endure repetitive physical work, such as shoveling, turning compost, carrying loads of material, and standing for long periods of time.

· Pay attention to detail.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High School Diploma/GED and 1 year of experience OR 3 year’s relevant experience. Must also have the ability to operate heavy equipment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell and occasionally required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and must frequently lift and/or move more than 100 pounds including shoveling, turning, using a wheelbarrow with heavy loads, squatting and climbing ladders.

Special vision requirements for this position are close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less); distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more); color vision (ability to distinguish colors); peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point); depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships); ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus.)
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather), work near moving mechanical parts, work in high, precarious places, outdoor weather conditions, extreme cold (non-weather), warm, wet, and/or humid conditions (non-weather and weather), and work near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: The successful candidate will be required to have a urinalysis for drug and alcohol screening in accordance with the Tribe’s Drug Free Workplace Policy.

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Indian Preference will be exercised in the hiring of this position in accordance with the Tribe’s Personnel Policies.

CONTACT: Human Resources Department (360) 426-9781.