Hourly Pooled - Sweetwater County Horticulture Coordinator, UW Extension

JOB TITLE:  

Sweetwater County Horticulture Coordinator

JOB PURPOSE:   

Are you seeking a career that will allow you to positively impact Wyoming communities and people? Do you value public service and seek an outlet that allows you to serve the public through educational programs you create? Are you committed to lifelong learning and find value in sharing that with others? Then please consider applying for this open position.

The mission of University of Wyoming Extension (UWE) is to empower the people of Wyoming to make choices that enhance their quality of life. By actively involving Wyoming people, institutions, and communities, UWE shows a commitment to relevance, people, connectivity, accountability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and respect. With this in mind, UWE will be responsive to the needs, concerns, and aspirations of the people of Wyoming as we provide learning for better living. If you seek a rewarding career that allows you to be a part of this mission and vision, please consider this open position.

The Sweetwater County Horticulture Coordinator will administer the Master Gardener volunteer program and meet the horticulture needs of community members by developing, delivering, and evaluating educational opportunities and research-based information on topics such as cultivation of gardens and landscapes, tree care, insect and disease identification and management, etc. This will be accomplished primarily through individual consultations in the office and during off-site yard visits, educational programs and events, as well as media products/releases.

This position is based in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the county seat for Sweetwater County.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Program Development and Delivery

• Administer Sweetwater County’s Master Gardener volunteer program; organize and coordinate Master Gardeners’ schedules; teach Master Gardener classes; facilitate Master Gardener training; and assist as needed in the coordination of the state Master Gardener program.
• Administer the community garden program (if applicable).
• Provide direct horticulture support through yard calls and answering horticulture inquiries.
• Provide educational programs about horticulture to various groups and organizations throughout the county.
• Establish professional relationships with Extension Specialists and other scientific experts to ensure programming is rooted in research-based information and initiatives appropriate for this position.
• Identify and implement strategies to expand the reach of educational programming, ensuring programs and processes are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive of community participants and staff with varying backgrounds and experiences.
• Develop and support community partnerships that expand programmatic impact.
• Maintain an awareness of current problems and concerns within the horticulture industry.
• Maintain an awareness of related community resources.

Volunteer Systems

• Identify needs/opportunities for volunteers to serve in management and delivery roles, and recruit and place individuals in these roles.
• Cultivate relationships with and build capacity of Master Gardeners through a support system consisting of effective orientation, training, utilization, recognition, and evaluation.
• Address issues/conflicts that arise with volunteer roles.

Communication and Reporting

• Develop and maintain respectful and responsive working relationships with volunteers, colleagues, community partners, clientele, and the general public.
• Interact positively with youth and adults.
• Develop content for media sources (e.g., newsletters, newspapers, radio, web, social media, podcasts, etc.) to promote programs, report on program impacts, and provide educational information to the public.  
• Collect data and prepare reports and presentations to share with local officials and others about the accomplishments, impacts, and public value of horticulture programming.
• Operate modern office machines and equipment including PCs, scanners, printers, copiers; routinely use a full range of word processing, database, and spreadsheet software applications. 

Program Operations

• Secure external funding to support and expand educational programming.
• Ensure potential and current participants have full access to programs, services, and facilities.
• Plan for and manage risk through established procedures and resources.
• Maintain organized records and provide reports.

     Essential Physical Demands and Typical Working Conditions

• Must be able to carry, stand, drive, kneel, speak, squat, hear, climb, stoop, walk, sit, reach, and pull on a regular basis. 
• Must be able to stand or walk for extended periods.  
• May be exposed to fumes, hazards, dirt, heat/cold, chemical, noise and toxins. 
• May work indoors or outdoors in any type of weather.

     Approximate Time Distribution

• This is a part-time position. The work week will consist of up to 20 hours.
• Horticulture Education 95%, including youth and adult audiences.
• General office support 5%.

Funding

This position is hired and supervised by the University of Wyoming but is a county-funded position and will therefore exist if these funds are available.

Remote Work Eligibility

This position provides vital support to Extension clientele in Sweetwater County, so will be required to work in-person at the Sweetwater County Extension Office.

Essential Attendance and Availability Requirements

• Must have the ability to work at the job site.
• Must have regular attendance.
• Must have the ability to travel.

Must have the ability to occasionally work in the evening and on weekends.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Associate’s degree in Horticulture or a related field, and
• One year of work experience in horticulture or a related field, or
• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities to fulfill essential duties and responsibilities 
• Reliable transportation and valid driver's license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) compliant with the Driving for University Business SAP. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture or a related field
• Vocational or professional training in horticulture
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a team of adult volunteers
• Demonstrated ability to provide timely, research-based information and education to volunteers and clientele
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through interpersonal interactions, speaking, and writing 
• Demonstrated ability to interact positively with youth and adults

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS: 

• Completed UW application. 
• A detailed letter of intent that specifically addresses your qualifications relative to the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Current resume.
• Copies of all college transcripts (if applicable); official transcripts required at time of hiring. 
• Contact information for four (4) references who can address your professional qualifications. 

This position will remain open until filled. 

Contact for application inquiries:
Ann Roberson, Business Manager
University of Wyoming Extension
1000 E. University Ave., Dept. #3354
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307)766-3566
Fax: (307)766-3998
E-mail: mrober38@uwyo.edu 

For specific position information, contact:
Dannele Peck, Associate Director
University of Wyoming Extension
Phone: (307)766-5124
Fax: (307)766-3998
Email: dpeck@uwyo.edu 

ABOUT ROCK SPRINGS:

This position will be based in Rock Springs, Wyoming. A small but diverse city with a rich western history along with a history of coal mining. The city population is 23,021 per the 2022 census. Rock Springs is surrounded by the Red Desert. The Red Desert is one of the last high-desert ecosystems in North America. Its landscape varies with buttes, dunes, sagebrush, among other natural features. The region is rich in oil, natural gas, uranium, and coal. 

ABOUT SWEETWATER COUNTY: 

This position is based in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and serves all of Sweetwater County. Located in the southwestern part of Wyoming, Sweetwater County is strategically situated at the crossroads of Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 191, with a population of 42,272. Rock Springs has historically been named the “Gateway to the West” and offers unique off-road and water recreation resources as well as a variety of wildlife species. Among the extraordinary natural sites are historic Flaming Gorge, Killpecker Sand Dunes, and the beautiful Red Desert. Sweetwater County is also a major cattle and sheep shipping point and the center of large natural trona mines. Other major industries of the area include oil and gas production, coal mining, electric-power distribution, food processing, and tourism. More information can be found at:

https://www.explorewy.com/ 

https://www.sweetwatercountywy.gov/