Field Assistant at Fort Lewis College

Position Summary:The Farmer Training Program focuses on three areas: running a productive farm providing an educational experience for Farmers-in-training (FITs) and providing a space for reconciliation and healing. Field Assistants continue to gain hands-on experience growing vegetables at high elevation while taking on additional responsibilities. Field Assistants work with other staff to tend about three acres of vegetables learning new and traditional skills and techniques vital to farming at high elevation and join a network committing to supporting beginning farmers through incubator and land access opportunities business planning and community support. Field Assistants work with and assist other program staff in tasks including but not limited to the following which may take place in both the FIT Plot and the Education Garden: working with FITs in field work; leading FIT groups; running the campus Farm Stand; assisting with the CSA; using hand tools; operating small equipment; assisting with irrigation and repairs and daily operation; succession planting; weed management; harvest/processing; deliveries; events; and assisting in other daily farm tasks.Job Description:Essential Functions and Responsibilities:The team of Field Assistants will work to accomplish highest priority tasks which may take place in the FIT Plot or the Education Garden and may include weed management equipment operation harvesting processing propagation tasks cleaning general farm maintenance and other tasks as identified by program staff. A team of Field Assistants will work to complete the following tasks:Approximately 50%: Working with other managers to determine and accomplish highest priority tasks which may take place in the FIT Plot or the Education Garden and may include weed management equipment operation harvesting processing propagation tasks cleaning general farm maintenance and other tasks as identified by the Production Manager or Assistant Director.Approximately 25% (depending on the time of year): Lead harvest prep harvest and post-harvest processing including doing crop counts; adhering to food safety SOPs including twice daily harvest shed cleaning on harvest days; overseeing the cleaning of harvest bins and supplies; establishing size and quality standards for produce with other managers and Assistant Director; training FITs and volunteers in produce standards; leading harvest shed-packout for markets CSAs and wholesale orders of produce from both the FIT Field and the Education Garden; and leading harvests in the Education Garden.Approximately 25%: Providing overall care for the Education Garden including watering maintenance succession planting high tunnel management and care of perennials which includes managing weekly irrigation and providing crop counts when in production.Field Assistants are also responsible for setting a positive professional and respectful tone; following training and work guidelines created by management and setting an example for farm team and volunteers in terms of timeliness focus pace and accuracy in the field; adhering to Food Safety SOPs; following instructions and training and responding to feedback; demonstrating care for tools and farm equipment by appropriate use cleaning and storage and completing online trainings to become a FLC authorized driver.Field Assistants take on additional areas of responsibility including leading groups of FITs running the Farm Stand and/or assisting with CSA coordination.Additional Functions and ResponsibilitiesContributing to staff meetingsCreating content for social media and newslettersWorking at the Farm Stand or Country StorePacking the CSARestocking and cleaning the Country StoreCaring for perennials in the Education GardenProcessing storage cropsAssisting with setting up for hosting and cleaning up from public eventsRequired Education Specialized Skills and Experience:One or more seasons of vegetable growing experienceAt least one season growing at high elevations or in short seasonsOne or more years experience in leadership or teaching roles especially in a farming contextExperience working with teams from diverse backgroundsSignificant experience working independently as a farmer or in a physical jobSignificant experience working in fast-paced environments especially as a pace-setterSuccessful experience working collaboratively as part of a teamProficient with the use of Microsoft Office programs Google Suite and DropboxInterest in using google sheets for farm coordinationEase with email Slack messages and phone calls as forms of team and professional communicationPreferred Education Specialized Skills and Experience:College degree in agriculture or related fieldExperience using small equipmentReports To / Supervisory Responsibility:Reports to the Production Coordinator and Old Fort DirectorWork Environment:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Work is primarily conducted outside or in high tunnels in all weatherWork may occur in heat cold snow rain wind and other extreme weather conditions.Work may occur adjacent to tractors or require use of tractors or small machines (moderate noise).Office space is shared.Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee tosuccessfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made toenable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand sit; talk hear and use hands and fingers to perform fine motor functions such as weeding harvesting packing gripping typing texting and operating tools.The job is highly physical and requires nearly constant activity.The use of hand tools is likely including shovels broad forks digging forks spades rakes and other tools.The employee is required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.The employee is required to lift many items each day weighing between 5 and 40 pounds especially on harvest days.On a daily basis the field manager must perform actions such as lifting stooping kneeling crouching and reaching and use tools to dig rake tilth and additional actions as needed.Travel:Less than 5% is expected for this position.FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of WorkExemptincludes workmans compensation and sick leaveHourly 15-35 hours/week depending on season and responsibilities ;March and April: 15-20 hours/weekMay through October: 30-35 hours/weekEarly November: 15-20 hours/weekStart times: 8 a.m. or 7:30 a.m. for peak harvest daysHarvest days may run until 4 or 5 p.m.45 minute unpaid lunch breakMarch 15/May 1 through October 31/November 15th depending on responsibilitiesMay take one unpaid week off during the farming seasonMust be available May 12-14 (FIT Orientation) and August 28-29 (Convergence)CompensationThe hourly rate for this position is $19-$21/hourAdditional living stipends may be available from the Native American Agriculture Fund grant.A complete application packet includes:Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and desired start and end datesResumeNames and contact information for three current professional referencesApplication packages received by February 2 2026. The position will remain open until filled. The successful candidates will be required to pass a background check and possess a clean driving record.About Fort Lewis College: On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorados premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3300 students identifying as people of color FLCs academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving Non-Tribal Institution FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts business education health sciences humanities and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural cultural and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students faculty and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around DurangoNotice to Prospective Employees:The Fort Lewis College is required by theCleryAct of 1990 to notify prospective employees current employees students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report. The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 Federal Student Right-to-Know the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:Fort Lewis Colleges alcohol and other drug policySexual assault policyCampus security policiesCampus/community resourcesThe Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollmentWhere to find registered sex offender informationCrime statistics for the previous three calendar yearsReporting crimesThe Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:By going to the internet website at: Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request. You can reach them at .Equal OpportunityFort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race age color religion national origin sex* disability sexual orientation gender identity gender expression family or domestic status political beliefs veteran status pregnancy or genetic information. Accordingly equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity equal treatment and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students faculty and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report get resources read policies or make an appointment See QuestionsOffice of Compliance and Community StandardsDavid Pirrone Director of Compliance210 Berndt Hall 1000 Rim DriveDurango Colorado 81301 Questions about Title IX sex discrimination Office of the Title IX CoordinatorMadeleine Gillman Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator210 Berndt Hall 1000 Rim DriveDurango Colorado 81301 Information about Fort Lewis Colleges alcohol and drug policy sexual assault policy campus security policies campus crime statistics fire safety procedures and fire statistics and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLCs Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.ADAA AccommodationsAny person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation please contact Kristin Polens by phone or email at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information including medical documentation regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date. Key Skills Entertainment,Customer Service,Actuarial,Communication,IT Sales Employment Type : Part-Time Experience: years Vacancy: 1 Hourly Salary Salary: 19 - 21