Graduate Support Specialist
| Position: | Graduate Support Specialist |
| FLSA: | Non-exempt |
| Reports to: | Juniper Gardens Training Farm Program Manager |
| Hours: | Full-time, 40 hours per week Mon-Fri, occasional evening or weekend work, as needed |
| Rate: | $19-$24 per hour; health benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan option, four PTO days usable at start, two weeks of vacation accrued during first year, increases to three weeks at year two, plus paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. |
Position Summary:
Juniper Gardens Training Farm is a 9-acre site just minutes from downtown Kansas City, KS and right across the river from Kansas City, MO. In partnership with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, we co-manage the New Roots program, helping resettled refugees and new Americans start and operate independent farm businesses. The Graduate Support Specialist assists?farmers in training and program graduates with establishing business structures and the continual improvement of their farms.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Farmer Education and Support
- Design and facilitate trainings on topics such as farm finances, land access and regulation, farm business management, and risk management.
- Meet farmers in training once monthly to review recordkeeping documentation and practices.
- Assist farmers in setting up farm business essentials: business plan, legal structure, licenses and permits, insurance, and budget guidance.
- Schedule check-ins with graduate farmers quarterly, or more frequently, to assess needs, provide support, and build relationships.
- Provide technical assistance with business planning and goal setting, applying for funding opportunities, infrastructure projects, and understanding municipal zoning and permitting.
Program Development and Support
- Support aggregated CSA operations by conducting annual graduate farm food safety inspections and assisting with production planning, CSA contracts, and seed ordering.
- Facilitate communication between farmers and other resource agencies including USDA, KS Farm Bureau, KSU/MU Extension Services, The Toolbox KCK, KC Food Hub, etc.
- Participate in team meetings, events, and planning sessions.
- Maintain program documents and record-keeping systems.
- Maintain regular farm hours to assist farmers with purchases and invoices.
- Contribute to maintaining the staff plot and demonstration garden, greenhouse, and other farm staff activities.
- Other duties as assigned.
Placement Criteria
The ideal candidate for this position will have:
- Three years of workforce, employment, or business development experience, or equivalent education and relevant experience.
- Knowledge of organic farming and sustainable agriculture practices.
- Ability to navigate local zoning, permitting, and business licensing requirements.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record; personal car insurance and reliable vehicle required. Mileage is reimbursed according to the standard federal rate.
- Strong organizational, facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to change, and work independently within deadlines.
- Experience with cross-cultural communication or working with non-native English speakers, preferred.
- Proficient with computers and adaptable to learning new software.
- Team-oriented, collaborative, and eager to learn from others.
This job will present occasional opportunities to participate in farm work, including walking, standing, reaching, stooping, squatting, lifting up to 50 lbs and working indoors and outdoors in cold, hot, or wet conditions. Ability to navigate rugged and uneven farm terrain is required.
Work Location
This position works onsite at Juniper Gardens Training Farm at 100 Richmond Ave, KCK 66101. Local travel is required. Office work can be completed at Cultivate KC’s office space at 1017 N 6th St, KCK 66101 and at Cultivate KC’s main office at 4049 Pennsylvania Ave #206, KCMO 64111. Some work can be performed remotely; guidance will be provided after hiring.
Workplace Culture
At Cultivate KC, we:
- Collaborate
- Care for each other, our work, and our community
- Promote a healthy balance between our work and our personal life
- Are adaptive, creative, open to learning
- Take time for organizational self-reflection
- Practice transparency with each other and with those we serve
- Agree that food systems work should be fun and bring joy to ourselves and our communities
Please send 1) a cover letter indicating why you are interested in working with Cultivate KC and what experience you bring to the position and 2) your resume to jobs@cultivatekc.org. First priority interviews will be given to applicants that submit materials by February 23rd, 2025 with an anticipated start date in the beginning of April.
Job Type: Full Time
Salary Range: Up to $29,999,$30,000 - 49,999
