Senior Program Assistant, Garden Events

Department:  Community Action Center (CAC)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Full/Part-Time:  Part-Time 

Compensation: $19.95 per hour

Reports To: Campus Community Garden Coordinator

Click here to apply!

Associated Students Summary

Associated Students’ (A.S.) mission is to support and represent the students of San José State University by continuing the organization’s legacy of student advocacy and leadership; to enhance SJSU students’ education through high-quality programs and services; and to prepare students as they move towards a thoughtful and purposeful life after graduation.

A.S. is a non-profit auxiliary corporation serving the students of San Jose State University whose primary source of funding is from mandatory student body fees. A.S. Departments include the Community Action Center, Child Development Center, General Services Center, Human Resources, Information Technology, Events, Marketing, Print & Technology Center, Student Government, and Transportation Solutions.

Position Summary 

The Community Action Center, a department of Associated Students, connects San Jose State University students with community service opportunities that deepen the educational experience while promoting a lifelong commitment to civic activism. This position works in a collaborative team environment, facilitating volunteers/students at the garden, serving as the key spokesperson for all programs and events to students and working with staff to strengthen daily garden operations. You will be responsible for helping with program and event day planning, garden operations, mentoring garden program assistants, and leading small groups of volunteers during workdays. This position is ideal for someone interested in sustainable gardening practices and community organizing.

Essential Functions 

● Leads the facilitation of the Next Generation Garden Leadership Program, completing tasks including but not limited to contacting prospective speakers, ordering supplies, ordering food, assisting with application review process, and day of facilitation.

● Supports the coordination of garden events aimed at educating the campus community about sustainability, gardening, and environmental justice. This includes but is not limited to conceptualizing events, communicating budget constraints, creating supply lists, reviewing marketing materials, creating staffing plans, and day-of-event support. Hold regular group event planning meetings to collaboratively plan events as a team.

● Advises the garden program assistant team in the development of events, best practices, and addressing program challenges.

● Assesses garden programs for impact and makes recommendations for improvement to the Community Garden Coordinator.

● Assists Community Garden Coordinator in planning the event calendar each semester.

● Develop and assist in implementing marketing plans for events and programs.

Additional Garden Functions

● Assist with volunteer sessions, open hours, and garden tours.

● Assist in the operations of the Campus Community Garden. For example, ensure all equipment (shovels, hoses, etc.) are in good working order, help manage the greenhouse to ensure proper seed propagation, collect compost from campus partners, assist with seasonal planting, and ensure that the garden is well-maintained and is both a productive and safe working environment.

● Research and help practice GAP (good agricultural practices) as set forth by USDA.

● Represent the CAC and garden to the campus community (students, staff, faculty, leadership) and local community members and organizations via meetings, events, conferences, tabling opportunities, email communication, etc.; work to build reciprocal partnering relationships. 

● Participate in all CAC and garden staff meetings and professional development sessions.

● Participate in summer orientation events if applicable.

● Contribute to all CAC and garden special events and programs.

● Complete tasks (e.g., errands, flyering, clerical support, research, phone calls, etc.) as assigned.

● Perform other duties for CAC, garden, and AS as requested.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

● Experience with gardening and agricultural practices or currently enrolled in the Environmental Studies or similar department.

● Ability to gain core understanding of food justice, and organic food systems. 

● Capacity to work effectively in a University environment and represent the goals and mission of Associated Students.

● Effectively work with a wide population of students and cultural needs. 

● Ability to work independently with little supervision and make decisions that impact community safety.

● Ability to follow complex written and oral instructions.

● Ability to manage a project from start to finish.

● Ability to facilitate group activities, lead volunteers, and coordinate group projects.

● Excellent oral and written communication skills

● Ability to work as a team player.

● Preferred: supervision experience.

● Preferred: event planning experience.

Work Environment, Hours, and Physical Demands

● This job operates in a garden environment and routinely uses standard garden equipment.

● Must be able to properly use garden equipment; i.e. hoses, shovels, etc. 

● Must be able to occasionally lift or carry garden supplies, up to 40 pounds.

● Must be available Monday through Friday from 8:00AM -5:00PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

● Must be available to work 18-20 hours per week.

● Reliable and consistent work attendance and professionalism is required.

Other Duties

● This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Activities, duties, or responsibilities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Required or Preferred Education and Experience

● Must be a current matriculated San José State University graduate student.

● Served as a volunteer at the A.S. Campus Community Garden or equivalent experience OR is currently enrolled in the Environmental Studies Department, Department of Urban and RegionalPlanning or related department.

 ● Requires an interest in gardening/agriculture. 

● Requires excellent time and project management skills.

● Requires strong ability to multitask.

● Requires excellent interpersonal skills.

Notes to Applicants

All Associated Students employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than September 30, 2021, unless they are exempt from this requirement because an exemption has been granted based on a medical contraindication or sincerely held religious beliefs. Fully vaccinated means that an individual has received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that has received Emergency Use Authorization or full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that it has been at least two weeks since the final recommended dose.  

The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

This position may be exposed to sensitive or personal information and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Integrated CSU Administrative Manual 8000 series and Associated Students Information Security Standards as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily after a conditional offer of employment. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect a conditional offer of employment.

Equal Employment Statement

Associated Students provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. A.S. provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Applications

Applicants must submit a complete application through the Associated Students applicant tracking system, ADP. Only complete applications will be considered. 

Deadline

The position will remain open until filled.

Click here to apply!