Posting DetailsPosition Information
Classification Title Temporary Hourly
Employment Category Temporary
Is this an Hourly position? Yes
Work Hours/Week 15
Overtime Eligible? Yes
Position Location Loveland, CO
Does this position qualify for hybrid or remote work? No
Description of Work Unit We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review-
Colorado State University's Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service and engagement.
Established in 2015, the partnership between CSU Extension and AmeriCorps aims to provide people power to the communities of Colorado. The CSUE AmeriCorps Program is an AmeriCorps State program funded by AmeriCorps through Serve Colorado - The Governor's Commission on Community Service. Our program facilitates members serving across the state of Colorado. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit our
website. To learn more about AmeriCorps, click
here.
To learn more about the CSU Extension AmeriCorps Program, visit
https://engagement.colostate.edu/ramcorps/.
The High Plains Environmental Center is a 501©(3) that works to educate communities to become replicable "living laboratories" which demonstrate restorative examples of land-stewardship, native plants, and wildlife habitat. We consist of three primary departments: Outreach, Lands Restoration, and the Native Plant Nursery. Our 276 acre nature center contains two reservoirs, wetland, grassland, and shrubland habitat, and 3.5 miles of public trail. Also housed on site is our nursery facility, demo gardens, and classroom which is utilized for public education via our own programming as well as our partners.
Search Contact Email Melinda.Macpherson@colostate.edu
Position Summary The primary role of this position will be to facilitate the propagation of regionally native plant material and participate in managing volunteer events. Duties may include: collecting, preparing, storing and sowing seed; transplanting; facilitating weekly to bi-weekly volunteers; record keeping; watering/irrigating; preparing trays, flats, and pots/potting media; and preparing plants for pick-up. Some fieldwork projects with sister organizations may occur throughout the year (e.g. bioblitz, Earth Day clean up, seed collection, or outplanting in a restoration area). Most of the service time will be spent either outside in the elements or within a greenhouse setting.
Term of Service / Time Commitment:This is a Minimum Time national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 300 hours during the term (approximately 15 hours/week). The position begins March 24, 2025 and ends August 8, 2025. Wednesday - Sunday 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Training and Support Provided:Members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% (or 60 hours) of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved trainings. Members will be supervised and supported by Stephen Hornbeck as well as by Melinda Macpherson, RamCorps Program Manager, melinda.macpherson@colostate.edu. The cohort of members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.
Location and Service Conditions:This position is based at High Plains Environmental Center 2698 Bluestem Willow Dr. Loveland, CO 80538. Most of the service time will be spent outside in the elements or within a greenhouse setting.
Program Benefits:- A living allowance of approximately $438.00 per pay period on a bi-weekly cycle for an approximate total of $4,380.00 for the term of service. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
- An education award of $1,565.08 earned upon successful completion of term of service.
- It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member.
- Mileage reimbursement for travel to required trainings and days of service.
- Access to ongoing professional development trainings and resources through the university.
- Experience working with professionals in the field with on the ground training.
- Non-tangible benefits including extensive making a difference in a community, valuable networking opportunities, and serving the local community in an identified area of need.
- Alumni benefits include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt.
- Specialized conservation horticulture experience.
- Networking with sister orgs such as Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado Native Plant Society, Gardens on Spring Creek, City Trails and Open Space divisions, regional conservation districts, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, etc.
Position Minimum Qualifications - At least 18 years old at start of service.
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
- Able to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website checks) per 45 CFR 2540.202.
- Wear official AmeriCorps identity items such as name tag, T-shirts, and lapel pins during all AmeriCorps service.
- Cultural sensitivity and ability to work respectfully and inclusively with a diverse population.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Computer skills: familiarity with MS Office 365, especially Outlook and SharePoint, and Zoom.
- Ability to learn and retain complex information with accuracy and to follow procedures consistently and with attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- A courteous, professional demeanor with HPEC volunteers and visitors/public trial users
- Ability to lift or lower up to 50 lbs.
- Basic arithmetic calculations.
- Capacity to work outside/in the elements of a nursery setting.
- Must have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain a driver's license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
Preferred Qualifications - Be dedicated to community service.
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and complete multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to complete physically demanding tasks in extreme weather conditions.
- Basic horticultural/agricultural experience or knowledge.
- Basic familiarity or interest in regional flora, biology, or ecology.
Posting Details
Working Title RamCorps Native Plant Nursery Horticulturist
Posting Number 202500119T
Department Extension Community Engagement
Salary Range $14.60 per hour
Employee Benefits Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
- Review our detailed benefits information here.
- Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
- For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
- Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!
Close Date 03/17/2025
Special Instructions to Applicants For full consideration, all materials must be received directly at
https://jobs.colostate.edu/ no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Please submit the following to apply:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- List 3 Professional References: name, title, organization, relationship, contact phone, and contact email.
For questions regarding the application process, contact the Talent Acquisition office at
HR_TA@colostate.edu. For questions regarding the AmeriCorps program, the position, qualifications, or job duties please contact Melinda Macpherson at
melinda.macpherson@colostate.edu.
Background Check Policy Statement Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all 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.
Essential Job Duties
Job Duty Category Direct Service
Duty/Responsibility - Propagation
- Plant care
- Transplanting
- Potting
- Organization
- Data keeping
- Project preparation
- Plant pick-up preparation
- Education
- Volunteer facilitation
- Community interaction
- Programming involvement
Percentage Of Time 80%
Job Duty Category Member Training and Professional Development
Duty/Responsibility - Participate in performance reviews with the site supervisor.
- Meet regularly with site supervisor to discuss programming topics and issues.
- Participate in on-going trainings and events as required and requested by AmeriCorps, CSU Extension, and/or partner sites.
Percentage Of Time 10%
Job Duty Category Service Commitment
Duty/Responsibility - Complete contract service hours (Minimum Time: 300 hours) and site-specific responsibilities by August 8, 2024.
- Commit to complete your term of service.
- Have dependable transportation to and from host site, program/partner site, and programming activities.
- Wear official AmeriCorps identity items such as name tag, T-shirts, and lapel pins during all AmeriCorps service.
- Represent AmeriCorps, Colorado State University Extension, host site, and program/partner site in a professional manner.
- Accurately complete and submit enrollment paperwork and reports.
Percentage Of Time 10%
References
Minimum References Required 3
Maximum References Required 3
