Garden Mentee
About the Student Environmental Center:
As a student-led initiative, the Student Environmental Center (SEC) engages students, faculty, staff, and the Asheville community in holistic conversation, advocacy, and action initiatives in regards to a variety of environmental issues. We serve as a hands-on campus resource for information on environmental stewardship, university sustainability processes, local community outreach, and more. The SEC manages three garden sites, ROOTS, Castanea, and Sol, which are maintained by our student employees and double as engaging, innovative learning spaces for sustainability workshops and volunteer workdays.
To achieve these goals, the SEC engages students from a variety of backgrounds in campus and community events and fosters sustainability initiatives by investing time and funds into these projects.
We strive for diverse inclusion of community and campus partners in fostering experimental and innovative projects, and we aim to increase collaboration between campus and community partners.
Summary of Position:
Under the supervision of the SEC Co-Directors and their respective Garden Manager, Garden Mentees will learn how to oversee garden growth and stewardship, and provide educational opportunities for the student body through Garden Workdays and Internships. They will promote the gardens through outreach and advocacy events and, once they have completed their menteeship, take over as Garden Manager. Responsibilities as manager include participating in the planning process for yearly events such as Greenfest and the Farm to Table Dinner. Incoming Garden Mentees will work closely with Garden Managers for the first semester of their tenure.
Job Responsibilities:
- Help maintain and develop garden sites to encourage sustainable production and aesthetic.
- Engage in sustainable land-use planning.
- Create educational opportunities by helping host Garden Workdays.
- Attend weekly SEC staff meetings and Garden Manager meetings.
- Support Garden volunteer and independent projects.
- Help staff annual programs/ special events.
Qualifications:
- An active interest in improving all aspects of sustainability at UNCA, with special focus on the grounds and campus gardens
- A desire to promote sustainable living for students, faculty, and staff
- A collaborative, supportive work style
- Self-motivation, innovation, and resourcefulness under pressure
- Excellent time management skills
- A commitment to representing the SEC responsibly and respectfully
- A willingness to learn new skills and perform independent research as needed
- An active appreciation for wildlife and its preservation
- Important Note: Applicants should be working toward a bachelor’s degree at UNC Asheville and preparing to graduate no sooner than December 2023. Spring Garden Mentees will graduate to managers in Fall 2023.
Skills and Experience Desired:
- Agriculture or gardening experience (knowledge in ecological agriculture strongly desired)
- Please Note: applicants are not required to have extensive gardening experience. The Menteeship position is a learning opportunity for students interested in gaining sustainable gardening skills and working with the campus community hands-on. So long as you are enthusiastic and committed to learning quickly, you are encouraged to apply for this position.
- Experience or knowledge of food justice issues
- Leadership experience
- Volunteer recruitment and coordination skills
- Special consideration will be given to applicants who have spent significant time volunteering or interning at SEC gardens previously. (This is NOT a requirement for the position and outside perspectives are valued and welcomed.)
Hours & Compensation:
During the academic year Garden Mentees will work an average of 8-10 hours per week (including required weekly staff meetings) depending on their garden of focus. Garden Mentees will take on an increasing share of responsibility from the current Garden Managers as the semester progresses and will be expected to increase their time commitment accordingly. Compensation is $13.00 an hour and must be reported on a biweekly basis via Oneport and Google Sheets. Spring Garden Mentees are asked to make a commitment through 2 semesters (Spring 2023 and Fall 2023). Once you graduate into the Garden Manager position, your compensation will increase to $13.50.
Garden Locations:
ROOTS Garden is located on UNC Asheville’s Rhodes Property, just behind the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs’ house, Sol Garden is located behind Brown Hall and overlooks the new Woods properties, and the Edible Permaculture Forest Garden, Castanea, can be found just beside the Sam Millar Facilities Complex.
How to Apply:
Please apply with your current resume and a one page cover letter. In your cover letter, describe any key skills, knowledge and experience that you could contribute to this position and whether you have a specific interest within our three gardens. If you are currently on campus, we highly encourage you to attend at least one garden work day before applying. Check out our Instagram (unca_sec) for the current garden workday schedule.