Seasonal Community Agriculture Farm Team

Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services

Number of Hours: Maximum of 25 hours per week

Duration: April 1 through October 15

The City of Alpharetta's Community Agriculture Program has a mission to model and inspire the stewardship of natural resources through the use of sustainable practices, while connecting the community through growing food and nature-based education.

The Community Agriculture Seasonal Team is responsible for executing the crop plan in our mobile app-based system, and for daily maintenance of the Educational Garden, the Donation Garden, the Cut Flower Garden, and the Community Garden areas, including weed removal, composting, seeding, planting, rotating, etc. The Seasonal Team is the first line of prevention, monitoring the crops daily for signs of pests and disease, and relaying this information to the Community Agriculture Coordinator and Community Services Manager. In addition, the Community Agriculture Seasonal Team maintains tools and equipment for signs of wear and tear and works with the Community Agriculture Coordinator to ensure the Farm is ready for events, classes and tours.

The Farm at Old Rucker Park consists of an approximate 2.5 acre site, with approximately 1/3-acre in vegetable and flower production; includes a greenhouse, in-ground and raised bed plantings, a 36-plot community garden, an equipment shed, compost areas, a chicken coop, and an apiary.

Expected hours include some evenings and weekends.

• Maintain and improve quality of produce, flowers, and soil while implementing regenerative and organic practices at the Old Rucker Farm.
• Coordinate the planting, production, maintenance, and harvest of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit at the Old Rucker Farm.
• Coordinates the seasonal seed-starting, transplants and in-ground production at the Old Rucker Farm as well as the seeds and seedlings for the community garden program.
• Executes the seasonal crop plan, coordinating watering schedule.
• Work alongside volunteers engaged in fieldwork and special projects at Old Rucker Farm.
• Assist with the implementation of farm-based education for community gardeners and residents.
• Assist with community initiatives at the Old Rucker Farm including events, tours, and regularly scheduled workdays and/or other volunteer opportunities to support the Community Agriculture Program, including on-site, day-of volunteer workdays.
• Attend Community Agriculture Team meetings, trainings, and the two (2) seed and plant distribution events during the seasonal timeframe of this position.
• Assist with the set up and hosting of the Community Agriculture Program promotional tent at city events, such as Taste of Alpharetta or the Farmers Market, as needed.
• Daily care and feeding of animals at Old Rucker Farm and maintenance of their coop (i.e. the farm's chickens and rabbits).
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or other type of study in agriculture, community organization, natural resources, plant science, horticulture or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Minimum one (1) year of organic farming experience, including transplant production and harvest/post-harvest handling.
• Interest and familiarity with issues relating to local food, food access, and regenerative, sustainable agriculture, and a genuine appreciation of hard work and nature.
• Experience supervising volunteers and working with diverse communities.
• Experience teaching youth and/or adults, preferably in a farm or garden setting.
• Strong organizational and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Ability to utilize cloud based mobile app.
• Proficiency in MS Word and Excel required.
• Driver's license is preferred but not required.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Alpharetta and employee and is subject to modifications as the needs and requirements of the position change.

The City of Alpharetta is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender (including identity or expression), marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any other protected classification as defined by applicable law (except as limited by Employee Manual & Benefits Handbook or bona fide occupational qualifications).

In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the City of Alpharetta is committed to providing a safe, quality-oriented and productive work environment consistent with the standards of the community in which it serves. Alcohol and drug abuse poses a threat to the health and safety of City's employees and to the security of the City's equipment and facilities. For these reasons, the City is committed to the elimination of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the workplace.

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects qualified individuals with disabilities from employment discrimination. Under the ADA, a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.The physical demands described within the job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In compliance with the ADA, the City of Alpharetta will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Employment Type: Seasonal