Garden Assistant at The Omega Institute

Rhinebeck, New York, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

02 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

01 Feb, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Gardening, Landscaping, Permaculture, Plant Care, Communication, Teamwork, Independence, Interpersonal Skills

Industry

Health;Wellness & Fitness

Description

NOTE: This is a residential, seasonal (May - October) position. Before submitting your application, please read our Frequently Asked Questions [https://www.eomega.org/jobs-service/seasonal-staff-volunteer-opportunities#seasonal-staff-faq]. Omega Seasonal Staff Experience Omega’s seasonal staff experience offers the unique opportunity for individuals to contribute professional skills and compassionate customer service while thriving in a vibrant learning-oriented environment. * Contribute Meaningful Work – Join a team of people who are passionate about contributing to a meaningful cause. * Learn and Grow – Enjoy access to specially designed Holistic Education Program [https://www.eomega.org/jobs-service/seasonal-staff-volunteer-opportunities#benefits] classes, trainings, and events. * Immerse in Nature – Explore Omega's beautiful 250-acre campus and amenities [https://www.eomega.org/visit/visit/rhinebeck-campus]. Seasonal Staff Commitment We seek individuals who are committed to providing exemplary work in support of our mission [https://www.eomega.org/about/overview/vision-mission-values-aspirations], and who model our values – Holism, Community, Sustainability, Service, and Integrity. Seasonal staff members represent Omega as excellent stewards of professional and compassionate service. Each interaction with workshop participants, faculty and fellow staff members, creates the Omega experience. Job Description Garden Assistant: non-exempt, full-time; on average 35 hours per week. Reports to OCSL Garden Manager. Summary Central tasks for this OCSL position include work with Omega’s gardens, landscaping and lagoon greenhouse area, as well as Eco-Machine care, and permaculture project preparation and maintenance. May also help lead staff and participant OCSL educational offerings during the season and be available to support OCSL participants around campus. Essential Functions Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * General Care of the garden, flower beds and potted plants including: bed prep, weeding, planting, transplanting, harvesting, watering, etc. * General landscaping and care of the 250-acre campus including: raking, mulching, sheet mulching, digging, pruning, compost care, etc. * Upkeep of OCSL permaculture projects such as maintaining and harvesting from the mushroom yard, perennial plant holding bed, rain gardens, small food forest, and various other projects. * Ensuring a safe landscape for participants including: path and trail maintenance, poison ivy removal, etc. * Coordinate with Omega's OCSL Garden Manager and other departments on tasks that need assistance. * Help with student groups that come to visit and volunteer in the garden at Omega * Lead monthly, educational tours of the OCSL; engaging guests in a fun and dynamic manner. * Assisting with end of season shutdown including: clearing beds, raking, storing equipment, etc. * Other duties as assigned by OCSL Garden Manager. Work Details * This position functions outdoors on the Omega campus. * This is a full-time position, 35 hours a week. Occasional watering on days off (paid time). Weekend availability is required. Physical Requirements * Ability to constantly work in outdoor weather conditions. * Ability to frequently move items that weigh 50 pounds for various needs. * Ability to remain in a stationary position for 50% of work time. * Ability to traverse a hilly campus in diverse weather conditions. * Ability to position self to perform diverse job tasks as necessary. * Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. * Ability to work in a constant sate of alertness and safe manner. * Ability to observe details at close range. * Ability to exercise appropriate awareness and self-care in outdoor work settings (wearing appropriate gear and clothing for the work and weather) and awareness of poisonous plants, etc. Job Related Risks * The Omega campus has a high instance of poison ivy. * Living in the Hudson Valley and working outdoors comes with a high risk of contracting tickborne diseases, especially Lyme Disease, requiring special attention and preventative measures. * The climate of the Hudson Valley promotes mildew and mold growth and requires diligence in keeping housing spaces mold-free.. Required Experience/Qualities * At least 1 year of farming, gardening and/or landscaping experience. * Proven ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions for up to 8 hours per day. * Knowledge of chemical-free plant care, plant identification, seeding, transplanting, bed preparation. * Knowledge of or interest in permaculture principles as applied to a growing environment. * Excitement toward working in Omega's gardens, education, and creating a beautifully aesthetic and healing space for workshop participants. * Ability to be responsible, on time, and demonstrate strong communication skills (written and verbal). * Ability to work independently without supervision, and as a member of a team completing tasks together. * Interested in their own personal and professional growth and supporting the growth and safety of other members of the team and campus. * Excellent interpersonal skills. * Valid driver's license. * Alignment with Omega’s mission, goals and core values. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice. Preferred Experience/Qualities * Supervisory experience preferred. * Experience working in an integrated, live/work environment. * Availability and interest in working the shoulder seasons, assisting with bed prep in early spring and leaf cleanup in the fall. * Desire and ability to be the point person and lead one or two projects on campus, independently. Compensation Seasonal staff work full-time for six months, between early-May through late-October. Seasonal staff receive a compensation package that includes: * Wage * Indoor housing [https://www.eomega.org/jobs-service/seasonal-staff-volunteer-opportunities#seasonal-housing-tenting] * Three delicious meals [https://www.eomega.org/visit/visit/rhinebeck-campus/meals] per day in our mostly vegetarian Dining Hall * Access to Omega’s staff benefits [https://www.eomega.org/jobs-service/seasonal-staff-volunteer-opportunities#benefits] This compensation package is at minimum equivalent to the New York State minimum wage. ---------------------------------------- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Omega complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable New York State or local laws. Consistent with those requirements, Omega will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Inc. (“Omega”) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, New York State, and local laws. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. As a community of learners, we are committed to putting our organizational aspirations into practice, as outlined in our [https://www.eomega.org/about/more/justice-equality-diversity-inclusion-statement%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank]Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion (JEDI) Statement. [https://www.eomega.org/about/more/justice-equality-diversity-inclusion-statement] Omega strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of actual or perceived race; color; creed; age; religion; national origin; citizenship status; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions); gender (including gender identity); sexual orientation; disability; marital status; partnership status; familial status; status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses; genetic predisposition; veteran’s status; military status; or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. All Omega employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

Responsibilities

The Garden Assistant is responsible for the general care of gardens, landscaping, and permaculture projects on the Omega campus. This includes tasks such as planting, weeding, and leading educational tours.