Company description

The Atlanta History Center was founded on the big ideas and relentless fascination of 14 Atlantans who were emphatic about our city’s historical relevance in society. In a sense, our organization was created by Atlanta’s biggest fans, and we love that detail. In 1926, these founding members introduced the Atlanta Historical Society into the world with one mission: to help preserve Atlanta’s history. In 1990, after decades of collecting, researching, publishing and celebrating the early stories of our great Southern community, the Atlanta Historical Society and all of its holdings officially became the Atlanta History Center.

Job description

The Atlanta History Center is looking for a highly motivated and results-oriented professional to fill a full-time position, within the organization of Urban Agriculturist.

This individual’s primary responsibility includes all aspects of research, planning, planting, and day-to-day maintenance of the interpretive historic gardens at the Smith Family Farm, as well as production of crops and annuals in the greenhouse. Expectations include keeping all garden areas at the Farm planted and productive throughout the year, and coordinating the use of produce with interpretive staff. The secondary area of responsibility is assisting with farm animal care, the on-site composting operation, and upkeep of other gardens as needed. 

The successful candidate will be a strategic and innovative thinker, as well as a self-starter who demonstrates strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills and energy, creative vision, and a sense of humor and charisma; has strong organizational and analytical ability, in addition to a positive attitude and human relations orientation; is goal-oriented and able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet myriad deadlines; and possesses a strong sense of personal and professional integrity with the ability to exercise authority and accept responsibility.
 

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of the Smith Family Farm gardens – research historic varieties and practices, evaluate and update existing crop plans to maintain a sustainable crop rotation, order all necessary seeds, tools, and materials, and carefully record all aspects of the gardens’ management
• Collaborate with and train education and interpretation staff at the Smith Family Farm to utilize farm produce and effectively communicate horticultural information to daily visitors, school group tour participants, and family program attendees
• Perform horticultural tasks at the Farm and greenhouse – includes propagation, planting, mulching, watering, weeding, staking, pruning, deadheading, training, seed saving, programming the automated irrigation timer, and soil improvement practices
• Handle daily care for farm animals – poultry, small ruminants, bees, cat – twice a week when Manager of Animal Collections is not available (training provided)
• Manage all aspects of on-site composting program, including daily collection of discarded produce from Souper Jenny Café, weekly addition of farm animal bedding, and tracking regular turnings and temperature readings to ensure the production of a safe, healthy soil amendment for use in the Goizueta Gardens
• Assist with team effort to create an Integrated Pest Management program, including scouting for pests and diseases, pest identification and recommendations for control, applying herbicides, pesticides, fungicides or other products as necessary; keep detailed records
• Provide a positive visitor and volunteer experience
• Learn about the history and significance of the gardens and collections and be prepared to answer visitor questions and lead tours

Other Responsibilities

• Collaborate with community partners and other History Center departments to develop and assist in garden-related programming at the Center and offsite
• Exhibit familiarity with and willingness to receive training and work with common landscape hand-held and power equipment, including blowers, mowers, tillers, weed-eaters, saws, pruners, sprayers, etc.
• Perform other maintenance tasks as necessary throughout the campus, including leaf and snow removal, path maintenance, assistance with irrigation repairs and removal of litter and debris
• Learn unfamiliar plant material in assigned areas, their names and cultural needs
• Assist Curator by keeping records of any changes to plant material in assigned areas (plantings, removals, relocations, major pruning’s, dead plants, etc.) and notifying Curator of plant material that is unidentified and needs labelling, particularly if in flower
• Be observant and report back any horticultural, technical, animal, safety or other concerns promptly
• Occasional weekend work may be required, with flex time available

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture, biology, environmental science or related field from an accredited college or university or demonstrable equivalent in training and experience
• Minimum two years hands-on professional experience growing vegetables and fruit, organic methods and experience with composting preferred
• Demonstrated communication skills including effective oral/speaking skills and writing skills
• Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in southeastern agricultural history preferred
• Experience with heirloom ornamental annuals and perennials a plus
• Hands-on experience caring for poultry, small ruminants or bees a plus
• Must be able to sustain moderate physical exertion with full range of body motion for lifting up to fifty pounds
• Must demonstrate a history of working independently and in a group setting
• Ability to work in all weather conditions
• Valid driver’s license
• Fluency in English
• Computer literacy, including internet research and use of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel; some training provided if necessary

Background Check Requirements

• Satisfactory criminal background check required
• Satisfactory MVR background check required to drive company truck

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $14.00 - $17.00

Application instructions

Deadline

December 03, 2017