Temporary Part-time (TPT) Garden Specialist

Title: Temporary Part-time (TPT) Garden Specialist

Department: Student Care and Advocacy

Campus: Hardin Valley Campus

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Type of Appointment: Temporary Part-Time

Pay Rate: $19.34 per hour

*If you are a PSCC Student and eligible for the Student Employment Program you will be paid on experience and the rates are $14.00 (no experience) $15.00 (6 months experience) and $16.00 (9 months experience)*.

Work Hours: 30 hours per week

Position Summary: The Garden Specialist oversees all aspects of the Hardin Valley Garden (HVG). The primary mission of the HVG is to provide the Pellissippi Pantry with fresh produce. While the position is year around the emphasis is on ensuring that crop production aligns with high need times of the academic year (i.e. fall and spring semesters). The Specialist is in charge of planning planting maintaining harvesting and distributing crops. They serve as the primary contact for all inquiries regarding the garden and are responsible for monitoring the HVG email account. The role recruits trains schedules supervises and evaluates both volunteers and student employees. The Specialist must create skill-building experiential learning opportunities for both volunteers and student workers that align with the institutions commitment of being a career immersion college. This individual will collaborate with other campus and community members on garden-related initiatives and outreach. The Specialist documents key outcomes for institutional reporting purposes (e.g. crop yield volunteer hours etc.). The Specialist will also be cross-trained in the day-to-day operations of the Pellissippi Pantry and provide coverage of pantry operations as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

60% 1. Garden Care and Operations
Lead seasonal crop planning to optimize fall and spring harvests
Manage crop planting irrigation soil health cultivation and weeding
Harvest wash weigh and package crops
Maintain garden records and tool inventory
Oversee maintenance of physical garden infrastructure
Deliver produce to the Pellissippi Pantry and other approved locations
Ensure all equipment is safely stored and operational

20% 2. Administrative Duties
Lead recruitment training scheduling supervision and evaluation of student employees and volunteers in the garden
Maintain records of all garden seeding planting production and crop yield metrics for informational and reporting purposes
Uphold safety and sustainability standards
Create and/or regularly update Garden Operations Manual
Serve as the central point of contact for the garden and monitor the garden email account
Provide coverage for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Pellissippi Pantry as needed

20% 3. Educational Programming
Provide experiential learning opportunities to students
Deliver classroom and community presentations upon request
Develop and implement garden-related outreach initiatives
Collaborate with faculty and staff to integrate the garden into classroom and co-curricular projects and events
Participate in departmental outreach events (e.g. Resource Fair Wellness Fair Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week etc.)
(Optional) Serve as the advisor to the Garden Club

Note: The College reserves the right to change or reassign job duties or combine positions at any time.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum
1 year of gardening and/or farming experience in Tennessee

Preferred
2 years of working or volunteering in a community garden dealing with produce
6 months of volunteer management experience
6 months of employee supervision experience
6 months of providing educational programming

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Valid Tennessee Drivers license
Proficient in computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite
Strong interpersonal skills: communication skills time management prioritizing and delegating
Preferred
Completed or pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Horticulture or related program

Special Instructions to Applicants: To be considered for a position at Pellissippi State you must create an on-line application. Your skills abilities qualifications and years of experience will be evaluated using only what is recorded on your application. Please note: attaching a resume does not substitute for completion of the application form. Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% of full-time experience. Please note: to scan upload or attach documents a computer and scanner are available at the Hardin Valley Campus Educational Resources Center if needed.

Pellissippi State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion creed ethnicity or national origin sex sexual orientation gender identity/expression pregnancy disability age (40) status as a protected veteran genetic information or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies concerning all employment and education programs and activities. View the nondiscrimination policy. For questions or concerns please contact George Underwood at or .

If you have any problems or questions please contact Pellissippi State Community Colleges Human Resource Office at or by email at

If you are interested in this position click on the link to the top right to apply.

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