Position Information

Classification TitleTemporary Hourly

Employment CategoryTemporary

Is this an Hourly position?Yes

Work Hours/Week15

Overtime Eligible?Yes

Position LocationColorado Springs, CO

Does this position qualify for hybrid or remote work?No

Description of Work Unit

Established in 2015, the partnership between CSU Extension and AmeriCorps aims to provide people power to the communities of Colorado. The CSUE AmeriCorps Program is an AmeriCorps State program funded by AmeriCorps through Serve Colorado – The Governor’s Commission on Community Service. Our program facilitates members serving across the state of Colorado. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit ourwebsite (https://extension.colostate.edu/) . To learn more about AmeriCorps, clickhere (https://americorps.gov/) .

To learn more about the CSU Extension AmeriCorps Program, visithttps://engagement.colostate.edu/ramcorps/.

The Colorado College (CC) Student Farm was founded in the early 2000s as a learning space to experiment with sustainable farming techniques, provide education about appropriate food systems, and to provide healthy, locally grown food for the college community. The Student Farm has evolved over time, and its current operations are led by the Student Farm club with guidance and support from the college Office of Sustainability.

Rock Ledge Ranch ( RLR ) is a living history landscape near Garden of the Gods in western Colorado Springs.The Ranch actively demonstrates the importance of the land,and agriculture in general, in Colorado’s history – immersing visitors in diverse cultural experiences. The Ranch is owned by the City of Colorado Springs, but managed by the nonprofit,Living History Association ( LHA ).

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to reviewColorado State University’s Principles of Community (http://diversity.colostate.edu/principles-of-community) that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service and engagement.

Search Contact EmailMelinda.Macpherson@colostate.edu or Carli.Ianke@colostate.edu

Position Summary

This position will serve with the CC Student Farm and LHA for Rock Ledge Ranch to help conduct day to day activities at both locations. This position will also support both organizations to plan future activities and identify resources needed to meet organizational objectives. Most of the service for this position will be physical activities done to assist partner organizations with plant and/or livestock management.

Term of Service / Time Commitment:

This is a minimum-time national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 300 hours during the term (approximately 15 hours/week). The position begins May 20, 2024 and ends October 18, 2024. The member will to develop a schedule with leadership that ensures enough opportunity to meet the minimum number of service hours.

Training and Support Provided:

Members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% (or 60 hours) of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved trainings.

Members will be supervised and supported by Derek Lowstuter, as well as by Melinda Macpherson, RamCorps Program Manager,melinda.macpherson@colostate.edu. The cohort of members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions:

This position is based at Colorado College Student Farm (1228 Wood Ave. Colorado Springs, CO, 80903) and will involve Rock Ledge Ranch (3105 Gateway Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80904). Position will involve frequent days of service outdoors and community building. This position will serve outside with plants, livestock, and site volunteers.

Program Benefits:

• A living allowance of approximately$282 for minimum-time members (300 hours) per pay period on a bi-weekly cycle for an approximate total of $3,105.00 for the term of service. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.

• An education award of $1,459.26 is earned upon successful completion of term of service.

• It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member.

• Mileage reimbursement for travel to required trainings and days of service

• Access to ongoing professional development trainings and resources through the university

• Experience serving with professionals in the field with on the ground training

• Non-tangible benefits including extensive making a difference in a community, valuable networking opportunities, and serving the local community in an identified area of need

• Alumni benefits include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt.

• The member will develop experience serving with institutions of higher education, including Colorado College and Colorado State University. They will also serve with conservation partners responsibly manage farm/ranch resources.

• The member will gain experience serving with both plants and animals in an agricultural context.

Position Minimum Qualifications

• At least 18 years old at start of service.

• Must be a high school graduate or GED recipient.

• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.

• Able to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI , and National Sex Offender Public Website checks) per 45 CFR 2540.202.

• Wear official AmeriCorps identity items such as name tag, T-shirts, and lapel pins during all AmeriCorps service.

• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work respectfully and inclusively with a diverse population.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Computer skills: familiarity with MS Office 365, especially Outlook and SharePoint, and Zoom.

• Ability to learn and retain complex information with accuracy and to follow procedures consistently and with attention to detail.

• Ability to serve independently with minimal supervision.

• A courteous, professional demeanor with site volunteers and visitors.

• Ability to lift or lower up to 50 lbs.

• Basic familiarity and interest in plant care.

• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Be dedicated to community service.

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and complete multiple tasks with minimal supervision.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to complete physically demanding tasks in extreme weather conditions.

• Horticultural/agricultural experience and knowledge

• Basic familiarity or interest in regional flora, biology, or ecology.

• Experience working or interacting with visitors to a business or educational program.

Posting Details

Working TitleRamCorps Educational Farm/Ranch Manager and Planner

Posting Number202400317T

DepartmentExtension Community Engagement

Salary Range$10.35/hr

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/) .

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Close Date06/16/2024

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, all materials must be received directly athttps://jobs.colostate.edu/no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Please submit the following to apply:

• Resume

For questions regarding the application process, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at (970) 491-5836 or emailoeo@colostate.edu. For questions regarding the AmeriCorps program, the position, qualifications, or job duties please contact Melinda Macpherson atmelinda.macpherson@colostate.eduor Carli Ianke atcarli.ianke@colostate.edu.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .

Diversity Statement

Personal or professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes.

Essential Job Duties

Job Duty CategoryDirect Service

Duty/Responsibility

The primary goal of this service opportunity is to provide hands-on experiences with administrative farm upkeep and physical land management practices, while engaging with the Colorado College and community. Responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks outlined below:

• Successional planting, composting, seed collection, annual and perennial bed maintenance, and mulching.

• Identifying, tagging, removing, and properly disposing of invasive plant species, such as Siberian elms.

• Maintaining records of plantings, harvest yields, and major work undertaken during the internship.

• Developing a plan for fallow farm areas through independent research on regenerative farming practices.

• Identifying larger tasks that can be performed on volunteer engagement days.

• Engaging with the Colorado College community through workshops, volunteer days, and social media.

The member will serve with Rock Ledge Ranch as time and interest allow. By assisting with the planning, preparation, and execution of interpretive programs, the member will gain contextual experiences at the Ranch and deepen their understanding of Ranch activities and how they are perceived by visitors. The member’s observations and efforts will be used to help identify goals for improving and expanding interpretative offerings – particularly those pertaining to agriculture.

Percentage Of Time80%

Job Duty CategoryMember Training and Professional Development

Duty/Responsibility

• Participate in performance reviews with the site supervisor.

• Meet regularly with site supervisor to discuss programming topics and issues.

• Participate in on-going trainings and events as required and requested by AmeriCorps, CSU Extension, and/or partner sites.

Percentage Of Time10%

Job Duty CategoryService Commitment

Duty/Responsibility

• Complete contract service hours (minimum-time: 300 hours) and site-specific responsibilities by October 18, 2024.

• Commit to complete your term of service.

• Have dependable transportation to and from host site, program/partner site, and programming activities.

• Wear official AmeriCorps identity items such as name tag, T-shirts, and lapel pins during all AmeriCorps service.

• Represent AmeriCorps, Colorado State University Extension, host site, and program/partner site in a professional manner.

• Accurately complete and submit enrollment paperwork and reports.

Percentage Of Time10%

References

Minimum References Required

Maximum References Required

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents