About Denver Botanic Gardens: Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens was founded in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, The Gardens has a robust living plant collection, natural history collection and art collection along with temporary art exhibitions. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family – as well as world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs. 

For more information, visit us online at www.botanicgardens.org.

Denver Botanic Gardens is currently seeking a Lead Seasonal Grower at our Chatfield Farms location! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:

Position Summary

Under the general direction and supervision of the CSA Assistant Manager, this position will assist in growing various mixed vegetable crops with organic management methods and will act as a lead to the seasonal staff for the CSA team. This role will have more responsibilities and duties directed toward taking the lead on daily tasks in the field. 

The lead seasonal grower will oversee the CSA duties and daily tasks in collaboration with and under the direction of the CSA Management team.

Responsibilities associated with this position will include but not be limited to: 

• Directing crew members and volunteers in daily tasks such as harvest, weeding, planting, etc.
• Ensure tasks are accomplished in a timely manner while maintaining attention to detail.
• Leading independent projects that assist the team in accomplishing weekly goals.

Growing mixed vegetables for production with a team of 6?is still the main goal of this role. 

The Chatfield CSA harvests approximately 350 vegetable/herb shares each week during the season and distributes the produce in two weekly market-style pickups. The CSA also harvests vegetables for our outreach and donation program, and this position will assist in those weekly activities. The lead seasonal will assist in all aspects of day-to-day farm activities. 

HOURS: this is a full-time seasonal position. Monday through Friday,7am to 3:30pm. 6 months from May 5 through October 31.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the seasonal CSA team on all farm tasks assigned by the CSA management team throughout the season and makes independent decisions about the methods and order of tasks. 
• Demonstrates the proper methods per the management to groups such as volunteers, seasonal staff, and community partners. 
• Performs assigned tasks including but not limited to harvesting, washing, and packing of vegetables.? 
• Performs weekly tasks including small machine work, transplanting, mechanical and hand-weeding, harvest and post-harvest packing and processing. 
• Assists in all aspects of day-to-day farm activities. 
• Maintains freshness and quality of produce at all distributions and help with a pleasant display.? 
• Speaks with CSA shareholders and volunteers about growing practices, recipes, methods of farming, etc.?? 
• Acts as a mutual partner in the learning process of farming and land stewardship.? 
• Employs creativity and kindness when working with veterans, volunteers, and other staff in the fields.? 
• Assists in weed management including hand weeding, mowing, and weed whacking.? 
• Ensures quality, timeliness, and accuracy in all aspects of farm work specifically arriving on time and managing the schedule of tasks day to day.? 
• Assists in the donation of fresh vegetables into the community through our strategic partnerships including restaurants, caterers, and food procurers.?? 
• Attends regular meetings with CSA staff and Chatfield staff.? 
• Assists with sales and delivery to wholesale or donation customers.? 
• Assists with staffing seasonal public events, such as Lavender Festival or Pumpkin Festival, as required by leadership.? 
• Maintains satisfactory working relationships with managers, co-workers, and others.? 
• Maintains a positive, helpful, and solution-oriented demeanor when responding to or serving members and visitors.? 
• Regular attendance at the worksite may be required. As with all positions at Denver Botanic Gardens, the incumbent must be in good performance standing to be eligible for remote work. Remote work is at the discretion of management at all times.
• All Gardens employees must be committed to the mission of connecting people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

Position Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have knowledge working with CSA distribution.  
• Must enjoy working outside, using hands and body all day and be physically able to do so. Having an interest or passion for farming, community engagement, education, food systems or growing plants in general is ideal for the position.? 
• Ability and desire to learn new farming techniques with attention to detail and a strong work ethic is crucial for the position.? 
• Ability to work independently as well as working in groups.? 
• Must be adaptable to a fast-paced, schedule driven farm environment. 
• Ability to write simple correspondence. 
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.?? 
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. 
• Must have proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public. 
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations. 
• Ability to be flexible and willing to modify plans, when necessary, throughout the day. 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and/or holidays. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams.?? 
• Ability to work overtime as necessary. 
• Must be a positive representative of the Gardens both internally and externally at all times. 
• Must work with respect and cooperation at all times with fellow employees and the public. 
• Must be committed to working safely at all times. 
• Must have proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations.
• Ability to be flexible and willing to modify plans, when necessary, throughout the day.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams.  
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.
• Must be a positive representative of the Gardens both internally and externally at all times.
• Must work with respect and cooperation at all times with fellow employees and the public.
• Must be committed to working safely at all times.

Experience/Education:

• High school diploma / GED and/or combination of education and equivalent experience is required.
• Course work that includes food systems, social work, small-scale agriculture, or horticulture preferred. 
• Experience working on a farm for 3 full seasons on a small-scale, organic, or sustainably managed farm. 
• Food Safety Training and Safe Food Handlers trainings record annually. 
• Must attend the yearly “seasonal Safety Procedures” training offered by Associate Director of Farm Programs 

Travel:

Up to 10% travel required. Requires the ability to travel to remote locations (or other Garden locations) where environment may vary significantly.  

Come work for a place that offers you SO much more than just a paycheck!