[Community_garden] Community garden coordinator-type job open in Charlotte, NC

[Don Boekelheide]

Hi, all,

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is looking for someone to become
the resource person and manager for their fledgling community gardening
program - in spite of the confusing job title, it really means becoming
the "community garden coordinator" for local Park and Recreation, the
first time this job has existed in Charlotte's history. It is a great
opportunity for someone who is a self-starting pioneer who loves
community gardens, understands their value and potential, and who isn't
afraid of a BIG challenge.

You won't get rich at this job, and there are no benefits. However,
let's hope it can grow into something more secure if you can succeed in
establishing an outstanding program. At least you will be a "regular"
Park and Rec employee, with at least some ability to get things done.
Not sure about the budget you'll have to work with, though (not a lot).

Right now, Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) has 3 thriving community
gardens within Park and Rec, plus another 2 or 3 that are moving in the
right direction, and 1 that has failed. There are also a couple of
other non-Park and Rec CG programs in the area, with fertile but
currently unexplored ground for collaboration and cooperation.

An unusual situation in Charlotte is that Cooperative Extension here is
a part of Park and Recreation. The Extension Director, Jim Monroe, is a
good guy who appreciates community gardens, and at the State level we
have Lucy Bradley at NCSU - she's a super resource.

Sorry to get this out so late, I just found out about it 30 minutes ago myself! The deadline is ... tomorrow! 

Don Boekelheide
www.urbanministrycenter.com
Charlotte, NC

To see the information, go to:

https://jobs89.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/psc/XTERNAL/MKAPPLY/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL

Then click on the "next" button to see the list of jobs. This one,
called (confusingly) Recreation Assistant (Master Gardener) is at the
top of the list on the second screen. You can follow the links to their
online application process (be careful - it is clunky and may erase
your form if you click the wrong thing, so be careful!).

Here's the text:

Job Description
    
Posting Title:     
Recreation Assistant(Master Gardener)

Position Title: Recreation Assistant
Job ID: 3980 PRK5630     
Structural Services Department:
    
Market Rate: $28,530.000 
        
Hiring Range:    $22,824.000 to $29,956.500     
    
Full-Time

Temporary

Please apply before: 07/22/2008

Responsibilities/Qualification

This is the first level in a recreation programs series.  Incumbents
are responsible for providing direct care for clients and the general
public in area of assignment.  Specific duties might include:
transporting clients, providing general customer service, referring
clients with basic issues or problems to other programs or agencies,
and collecting basic information from clients/public.

High School Diploma, or G.E.D. or an equivalent combination of training
and experience.  Licensing Requirements:  Valid NC Driver's License.

Special Requirements

This is temporary position with no Mecklenbury County benefits.  This
Master Gardener position wil be responsible for recruiting and
registering gardeners, collect fees, resolve disputes between
gardeners, perform inspections, and partner with Cooperative Extension
to coordinate training and education.  Work on some Saturdays.  Will be
required to attend some evening meetings.

Monthly work schedule:  Feb-April- 40 hours per week, May-June- 20
hours per week, July -Aug-10 hours per week, Sept-Oct- 20 hours per
week, Nov-10 hours per week , and Dec -Jan - 0 hours per week.  Must
have a valid State of North or South Carolina Driver's license.  Must
be able to obtain and maintain a Mecklenburg County Operator driving
permit.  Proficient in microsoft word and excel. Basic math skills.
    
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