Agricultural Assistant, Seed Bank

Job Description

Job DescriptionINTRODUCTION:

ECHO will accomplish its vision through the following framework:

• Goal #1: Strengthen & Grow the ECHO Network (Increase Breadth of Network).
• Goal #2: Serve to Increase Network Capacity (Increase Depth of Network / RIC specific).
• Goal #3: Strengthen & Build the Capacity of a Seed Banking Network (Advance Global Seed Banking).
• Goal #4: Strengthen and Build the Capacity of the Network to Practice Agroecology (Champion Agroecology).
• Goal #5: Partner in Biblical holistic mission with the global Church.

This position will primarily support:

• Goal #1&2 by providing materials and trainings related to seed banking/seed saving to network members.
• Goal #3 by strengthening and building capacity in seed banking for our network. Providing seed banking trainings, publications, and germplasm.
• Goal #4 by conducting seed banking trainings that communicate agroecology that allow implementation at the North America Impact Center (NAIC).
• Goal #5 by incorporating Biblical principles in training and serving the Global church.

SUMMARY:
To assist the Seed Bank Manager, implementing tasks necessary for the function of ECHO’s seed bank ministry in North Fort Myers. The Seed Bank serves as a resource to support ECHO’s global network, is an educational tool, and connects the public to ECHO’s mission. This position provides support primarily for seed bank operations and seed grow-out.  It will also provide technical advice and germplasm research while also providing support for the Small Farm Resource Center (SFRC) and training. This position will assist in training and workshops in all aspects of seed banking.  This position will collaborate and cross pollinate with each of the SFRC Departments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Seed Bank Operations:

1. Assist the Seed Bank Manager in the weekly training and supervision of interns and volunteers.
2. Assist the Seed Bank Manager in conducting trainings at the SFRC and NAIC
3. Assist in seed bank training during conferences.
4. Conduct germination tests, maintaining seed quality standards for the active and passive seed lots in the seed bank.
5. Manage the network and bookstore seed packet inventory, fill bookstore seed packet orders, and fill network seed orders.
6. Address questions from network members regarding seed saving, seed orders and account status.
7. Assist Seed Bank Manager as needed to catalog new seed accessions and lots coming in and enter them into the database.
8. Conduct trainings as needed for campus events such as Get Into Gardening and GF3.
9. Cross-train with the Seed Bank Manager on key responsibilities and tasks, and manage and supervise volunteers and interns in the absence of the Seed Bank Manager.
10. Additional duties as requested by the Seed Bank Manager or SFRC Manager.

Seed Grow-Out Operations:

1. Provide the day-to-day management of the seed grow out areas, with oversight from the Seed Bank Manager, including but not limited to:
   1. Making bio-fertilizer, fertigating, seeding up, transplanting, building trellises, spraying herbicides and pesticides, weeding, scouting for pests, mowing between beds, harvesting, removing crops, and establishing cover crops.
   2. Building and repairing irrigation systems as necessary.
   3. Coordinating and overseeing volunteers and interns when needed to help plant, harvest, weed, and maintain crops in the seed grow out areas. 
2. Collaborate with the SFRC Team Leader to dismantle beds, build beds, disc, and set up irrigation for new production cycles.
3. Operate farm equipment (skid steer, tractors, chainsaws, and mowers) as necessary to support the projects and activities of the seed grow-out areas.
4. Collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to utilize volunteer labor to accomplish tasks.
5. Apply pesticides under the guidance and oversight of a) the Seed Bank Manager regarding what is sprayed in grow-out areas and b) SFRC Team Leader regarding EPA worker protection standards.

Other Operations:

1. Assist Seed Bank Manager in exploring and researching new plants to add to ECHO’s collection and
2. Collaborate and provide support to all other SFRC departments.
3. Participate in farm work to lend support to other departments.
4. Provide emergency assistance on the ECHO campus during evenings and weekends for events such as irrigation leaks, freeze protection, fire, or other emergencies.
5. Support Seed Bank related farm work activities.
6. Complete tasks for department needs such as mowing or discing research plots.
7. Serve as an Area Advisor for an intern on the Global Farm.
8. Attend devotions and departmental meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

1. Prior farm, seed bank, and/or overseas experience helpful.
2. Experience in the operation of farm equipment.
3. Must have a strong interest in intern and ECHO partner development.
4. Must be willing to work with and supervise others to accomplish tasks.
5. Adequate verbal, written, and computer skills.
6. Attention to detail.
7. Possess character traits consistent with ECHO’s core values.
8. Must subscribe to the ECHO Statement of Faith.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
College degree, preferably in an agricultural related field. See “Qualifications” for required experience.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• Close collaboration with the Seed Bank Manager.
• Frequent contact and collaboration with all the SFRC staff.
• Collaborate with other Regional Impact Centers (RICs).
• Positions directly supervised: Volunteers
• Positions indirectly supervised: Interns

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment is both outdoors, under varying conditions for extended periods of time, as well as indoors in an office and lab setting.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must regularly work outdoors and may at times assist Ag staff with entering data and other tasks that involve writing or working on the computer.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand (for at least two consecutive hours), walk, use hands, talk, and hear. Fine motor skills, such as typing, using a computer mouse, and handling a telephone handset, are required. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and perform tree trimming from ladders. The employee is required to sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch. Additionally, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a full-time on-site position. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, with flexible start and end times. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required based on job demands.

TRAVEL:
Occasional travel to local conferences, events, or trainings.

OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT:
ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.

In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status, genetic information, or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes.  It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.

ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.

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