CCE of Schenectady County Crew Leaders –Schenectady, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

5d•$20•Onsite

About The Position

Crew Leaders support CCE of Schenectady County’s Roots and Wisdom program by teaching and mentoring youth as they learn about sustainable agriculture, teamwork, and essential life skills. Roots and Wisdom bring residents together to grow vegetables for local sale and donation to food pantries, while youth participants gain hands on experience in agriculture, hunger awareness, and community service. This seasonal role includes preparing and maintaining garden beds; planting, tending, harvesting, and portioning produce; and managing pests and compost. Crew Leaders also guide youth in these tasks and in operating a community farm stand. Throughout daily activities, they model strong communication, responsibility, and problem solving. Crew Leader positions are part time and typically run from June–August, with the possibility of extension through September based on organizational and program needs. Positions are located at the Sustainable Living Center in Central Park, Schenectady, with hours that vary depending on program schedules and the growing season.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent and 6 months volunteer or work experience working with youth participants (teens aged 14-18) or in the field of agriculture.
Ability to assist in teaching existing informal garden/agricultural based youth programs.
Ability to perform basic math skills and handle cash transactions accurately, including making change and maintaining simple records for a community farm stand, and to teach and model these skills for youth participants.
Ability to read English and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
Ability to work independently, be resourceful and self-motivated as well as function highly in a team work setting.
Ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
Ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate.
Ability to frequently work in outdoor weather conditions; frequently lift, move or transport program & facility /gardening materials and produce; and constantly perform and demonstrate agriculture and horticulture techniques (for example preparing garden beds, planting, weeding, harvesting and washing vegetables and herbs, pest management, composting) by frequently positioning self (for example, pulling, bending, reaching, touching, kneeling, using hands to feel/reach) in greenhouses, garden beds and other program areas.

Nice To Haves

Some college experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the supervisor, lead a group of four to six youth participants (ages 14-18) who work together throughout a six- to eight-week summer growing program.
Work with and supervise a crew of youth participants to carry out educational based gardening activities in the Association’s urban gardens in Schenectady.
Demonstrate and assist in teaching agriculture and horticulture techniques to program youth participants (for example preparing garden beds, planting, weeding, harvesting and washing vegetables and herbs, pest identification/management composting) in greenhouses, garden beds and other program areas, primarily during the growing season.
Assists youth participants with involvement in the weekly community farm stand, utilized to strengthen youth development skills.
Under the guidance of the supervisor, conducts regular existing workshops and discussions focusing on program topics.
Crew Leaders are responsible for assisting in the safety and well-being of youth participants in all settings.
Immediately reports unique and/or emergency situations to supervisors.
Present as a positive role model for youth participants.
Interact with program participants, parents, and volunteers representing CCE in a professional manner at all times.
Sort, portion, and allocate harvested produce into weekly CSA shares and ensuring an equitable, market style distribution.
Perform agriculture and horticulture responsibilities (for example preparing garden beds, planting, weeding, harvesting and washing vegetables and herbs, pest identification/management, composting) in greenhouses, garden beds and other program areas.
Perform maintenance of gardening materials and tools.
Assist in operating and maintaining a community-based farm stand.
In cooperation with Supervisor and/or Executive Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a means to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to address changes and Association priorities.
Collaborate in activities that are in general support of Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned.
Support the Association to maintain a safe working environment.
Be familiar with and strive to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, Association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard.
Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.
Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Schenectady County policies, procedures and Cornell Cooperative Extension Skills for Success.
Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing all assigned duties in a professional, timely and accurate manner.