Student Employment Opportunities

Student Leader for Gardening

Morris Healthy Eating (MHE)

Position Description:

This position is 10 hrs/week during spring semester 2013, 20 hrs/ week during the summer of 2013, and 10 hrs/week during fall semester 2013.

University Classification: Employment Opportunities
Position Title: Morris Healthy Eating Student Leader for Gardening
Department: Morris Healthy Eating (within UMM Office of Student Affairs)
Position Reports To: Morris Healthy Eating Coordinator and/or Assistant Coordinator
Term: February 4, 2013 - November 22, 2013
Type: Part-time/temporary
Time: 10 hours/wk during spring semester, 20 hours/wk during summer, 10 hours/wk during fall semester.
Work Hours: Varies/to be determined may include some night and weekend hours.
Purpose of the Position
This part-time position will assist in leading the Morris Healthy Eating in its gardening initiatives and as a whole. The position reports to the Morris Healthy Eating Coordinator and/or Assistant Coordinator.

The MHE Student Leader for the Student Organic Garden works with the leaders of the Student Organic Garden (OGC) on campus , in cooperation with student volunteers, other members of the MHE leadership team, UMM faculty and staff, gardening mentors and advisors, and community partners. This position requires a good deal of hands-on work in the gardens.

1 Lead Morris Healthy Eating’s efforts for planning, maintaining and utilizing campus gardens, including hours spent working in the garden.
2 Work closely with the chair/president of the Student Organic Gardening Club and attend regular OGC meetings. Provide support to the OGC as needed (i.e. supplies, resources, tools, networking/outreach, event publicity, etc.).
3 Serve as an information source and campus/community contact person for Morris Healthy Eating.
4 Recruit and coordinate student volunteers throughout the planning, growing, and harvest season.
5 Communicate via e-mail, phone calls, and in person with a variety of partners (i.e. garden mentors, project partners, students, faculty).
6 Coordinate with the MHE Student Leader for Native American Foods and Gardening to ensure clear communication and efficient use of resources.
7 Attend all MHE Student Leadership team meetings.
8 Provide regular updates and/or written reports about gardening activities and accomplishments.
9 Coordinate efforts with the Sodexo/Campus Gardens liaison to provide food grown in the garden through Campus Dining Services.
10 Assist in the developing a sustainable garden staffing and funding plan.
11 Assist in implementing other healthy eating projects on campus and in the community as assigned.

Physical and/or Environmental Requirements
Work in the community in a variety of settings and locations, both indoors and outside, including stamina and the ability to engage in fast-paced, physically demanding work

Application Instructions
Apply electronically by sending all of the following information in a single email to Ashraf Ashkar, Morris Healthy Eating Assistant Coordinator aashkar@morris.umn.edu :

1. A letter of application that summarizes why you want the position and why you are the best candidate for the position.
2. A current resume.
3. Contact information for 3 references AND your information, including all of the following:
Full name:
Student ID #:
Cumulative GPA:
Primary phone:
Current year in college:
Major:
To learn more, visit the Morris Healthy Eating website at www.morris.umn.edu/healthyeating or contact Ashraf Ashkar at 320-589-6457, Welcome Center 205.

Morris Healthy Eating (MHE) is one of eight programs funded through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota’s tobacco settlement proceeds to promote healthier eating and thereby help to improve the health of Minnesotans. MHE works to expand the access and availability of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods on campus, within greater Morris, and in Stevens County.

Qualifications/Additional Comments:

● Enrolled student at the University of Minnesota, Morris
● Interest and/or experience in local food systems work
● Flexible schedule – hours may vary from week to week and include some evening and/or weekend hours.
● Good time management skills Reliable with the ability to juggle and prioritize multiple projects/responsibilities
● Willingness to work both individually and as a team
● Strong written and verbal communication skills
● Desire and ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds
● Desire to positively impact community health by making healthy and fresh foods more widely available in the Morris community.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
● Significant gardening experience and/or agricultural background
● Food preparation skills
● Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills
● Inventive, creative, and able to quickly adjust to changes in weather, volunteers, etc
● Experience in food systems and knowledge of food system impacts on the environment, economy, and/or health.

Hours Per Week:

10 hrs/wk during acad. yr 20 hrs/wk summer

• Arrangement of Hours: flexible
• Preferred Application Procedure(s): Contact Ashraf Ashkar

Number of Positions Available