Octopus's Garden Associate Work Study

This job is only available to students who qualify for Work-Study.  If you are unsure whether you have been awarded Work-Study, please contact the Financial Aid office at [email protected].

The person filling this role will support Octopus's Garden (Union's organic garden) by recruiting, coordinating and confirming with volunteers. Several hours each week will be spent in The Office of Sustainability working on volunteer coordination and Octopus's Garden promotion. Remaining hours will be spent working in Octopus's Garden (weeding, planting, water, etc.) alone and alongside/leading volunteers. This position offers an opportunity to help build a consistent volunteer base to support one of the star features of the Union College campus. If you have an interest in sustainability or organic gardening/farming, then this is the job for you!


Please note: all students in their first year as an Octopus’s Garden Associate will be paired with a peer mentor (a returning Octopus’s Garden Associate).

Department: Office of Sustainability, Facilities Services
Location: Facilities Services & Octopus's Garden

Supervisor: Sustainability Manager

Hours/Shifts Available: 10hr/week

Rate of Pay: $9.70/hr

Number of Positions available: 2

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Work with other garden associates to perform regular garden maintenance as required by season 

• Promote Octopus's Garden via campus wide emails, posters, flyers, events, social media and outreach tables on campus

• Develop a system to realize the needs (list of tasks and number of volunteers/hours needed) of the garden each week in advance

• Recruit, coordinate and confirm volunteers to meet the needs of the garden each week

• Meet new volunteers at Octopus's Garden, familiarize them with the shed, tools, equipment, techniques

• Develop effective recruitment methods and accountability measures for volunteers

• Meet regularly with the Sustainability Manager and other members of the Office of Sustainability 

• Communicate with other dedicated members/leaders of Octopus's Garden to ensure a smooth transition and preserve valuable practices and relationships

• Participate in Octopus's Garden and Office of Sustainability events

Qualifications:

• Energy and initiative

• Experience with gardening or farming preferred but not required

• Excellent organizational and communications skills (oral and written)

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs and internet use

Location: Schenectady, NY

E-Verify Participation: Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar).