Sustainability - Octopus's Garden 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].

Support Octopus's Garden (Union's organic garden) by recruiting, coordinating and confirming with volunteers, hosting programming and working in the garden. Several hours each week will be spent in the Office of Sustainability working on volunteer coordination and Octopus's Garden planning and promotion. Remaining hours will be spent working in Octopus's Garden (weeding, planting, water, etc.). If you have an interest in sustainability or organic gardening/farming, then this is the job for you!

Position will be for the Fall 2025 Term, and as needed after that.

Department: Facilities Services - Sustainability

Location: Facilities Building & Octopus's Garden

Supervisor: Grace Hotopp

Work Available- Daytime; Monday-Friday

Rate of Pay: $9.70/hr

Number of available positions: 1

Essential Responsibilities & Duties:

• Gain in depth knowledge of Octopus's Garden (including history, groups supporting, annual needs, seasonal needs, weekly needs, etc.)

• Work with other Octopus's Garden staff and volunteers to plan for planting schedules, and greenhouse needs, as well as host work parties, and perform routine garden maintenance

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

• 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

• 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 events

• Attend weekly Office of Sustainability staff meetings

Qualifications:

• Energy and initiative

• Excellent organizational and communications skills (oral and written)

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs and internet use

• Experience in gardening or farming preferred

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).