Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open to the Public

Position Status: Full Time, Regular

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0095/11

Salary Range: $52,133 annually / $25.05 per hour

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Brief Description of Duties

The Project Assistant for Urban Agriculture reports to the Assistant Farm Manager of the University of the District of Columbia’s Firebird Farm and its satellite Urban Food Hubs. The incumbent is an integral part of the visionary team of Landgrant professionals dedicated to Urban Agriculture and to a comprehensive Urban Food System that improves the quality of life and economic opportunity for DC residents and urban population nationwide. Firebird Farm is at the heart of the Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education (CUAGE), which is one of five Landgrant Centers of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Firebird Farm is a state of the art Agricultural Research and Education Farm dedicated to advancing food security and urban sustainability through research, training, and economic capacity building. The signature Urban Food Hubs of CAUSES are outposts of Firebird Farm in urban neighborhoods throughout Washington DC. The incumbent will have a passion for sustainable urban agriculture and for employing cutting edge technologies and cutting edge production methods incl. hydroponics, aquaponics and vertical farming, to grow high yields of produce in small urban spaces. S/he will work closely with the Assistant Farm Manager to ensure that all operational, food production, and training objectives of the Center are met, including the day-to-day operation of the farm and its satellite Urban Food Hubs, assisting with preparation of workshops, certificate programs, and on-farm demonstrations, supervising students and volunteers as directed, and leading field walks as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Works directly with the Assistant Farm Manager on daily and seasonal tasks at the Firebird Farm and the Urban Food Hubs.
• Implements the production management plan of Firebird Farm and its satellite Urban Food Hubs and ensures management practices that are consistent with organic and sustainable farming to achieve harvest goals for vegetables, herbs and flowers to support the UDC CSA, farmers markets and other production targets.
• Implements the propagation schedule, harvest goals, crop selections, rotations & sequencing of plantings, cultivation, pest and disease management, harvesting, and soil fertility objectives of the Firebird Farm and its satellite Urban Food Hubs.
• Implements the greenhouse propagation schedule for the season to give a head start on the season for the Firebird Farm and its satellite Urban Food Hubs.
• Carries out daily and seasonal tasks related to the high intensity aquaponic and hydroponic production systems at the Firebird Farm and its satellite Urban Food Hubs.
• Assists in preparing for workshops, demonstrations and enrichment activities, which may include demonstrations on the farm, guest speakers, hands-on activities, and extension staff training.
• Conducts field walks with student interns and volunteers to teach seasonal concepts, identify pests and diseases, and answer questions as needed.
• Supervises group workdays in the hoop houses, greenhouses, aquaponic and hydroponic facilities and fields as needed and as directed by the Assistant Farm Manager.
• Carries out tasks related to the implementation of Organic Pest and Disease Management and with Food Safety standards and assists with workshops on such practices and standards as needed.
• Performs property maintenance as needed and directed incl. but not limited to mowing, pruning, trimming, watering.
• Assists with projects that enhance the educational outreach to the community especially as it relates to educating urban populations unaccustomed in farming.
• Records, itemizes, and submits records for operational purposes as directed and performs other related duties as assigned.

Other Duties

• Works effectively and collaboratively with Project Assistants, Project Associates, Project Specialists in the Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education, and with faculty and staff of other Landgrant Centers in CAUSES.
• Works effectively and collaboratively with students and volunteers and attendees of workshops and certificate programs as directed.
• Performs other duties as assigned including special assignments related to the areas of responsibility and the needs of the college.

Minimum Job Requirements

• High School Diploma, plus 60 hours of advanced tertiary education, AS or BS in agriculture preferred or demonstrated applicable experience in farming and horticulture.
• Demonstrated experience in successful sustainable farming and natural resources management.
• Experience with hydroponics and aquaponics, preferred.
• A strong work ethic and love of sustainable agriculture.

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by National Education Association (NEA) and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction.

Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA-CREF).

Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity ore expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, genetic information, disability or political affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability.  Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Residency Preference: The Residency Preference Amendment Act of 1988, D.C. Law 7-203, created a system in which provides that any applicant for employment in the Career or Educational Services who is a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia may claim a residency reference at the time of application. An applicant selected for an appointment based on District residency will be required to submit no less than eight (8) proofs of bona fide District residency. Bona fide District residency must be maintained from the date of appointment to the position for seven (7) consecutive years. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the (7) year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia.  The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources Only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-6769.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: http://www.udc.edu/equal opportunity/.