Laramie County Horticulture Project Coordinator - UW Extension

Laramie County Horticulture Coordinator

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Why Choose Us? At the University of Wyoming, we value our employees and invest in their success. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. Benefits include:

• Generous Retirement Contributions: The State contributes 14.94% of your gross salary, and you contribute 3.68%, totaling 18.62% toward your retirement plan.
• Exceptional Health & Prescription Coverage: Enjoy access to medical, dental, and vision insurance with competitive employer contributions.
• Paid Time Off: Benefit from ample vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and paid winter closure.
• Tuition Waiver: Employees and eligible dependents can take advantage of tuition waivers, supporting continuous education and professional growth.
• Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs: Stay healthy with wellness initiatives, counseling services, and mental health resources.

At the University of Wyoming, we are committed to creating a supportive and enriching workplace. To learn more about what we offer, please refer to UW's benefit summary.

Job Purpose

Are you seeking a career that will allow you to positively impact Wyoming communities and people? Do you value public service and seek an outlet that allows you to serve the public through educational programs you create? Are you committed to lifelong learning and find value in sharing that with others? Then please consider applying for this open position. The mission of University of Wyoming Extension (UWE) is to empower the people of Wyoming to make choices that enhance their quality of life. By actively involving Wyoming people, institutions, and communities, UWE shows a commitment to relevance, diversity, people, connectivity, accountability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and respect. With this in mind, UWE will be responsive to the needs, concerns, and aspirations of the people of Wyoming as we provide learning for better living. If you seek a rewarding career that allows you to be a part of this mission and vision, please consider this open position.

The Laramie County Horticulture Coordinator will administer the Master Gardener volunteer program and meet the horticulture needs of community members by developing, delivering, and evaluating educational opportunities and research-based information on topics such as cultivation of gardens and landscapes, tree care, insect and disease identification and management, etc. This will be accomplished primarily through individual consultations in the office and during off-site yard visits, educational programs and events, as well as media products/releases.

This position is based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the county seat for Laramie County.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development and Delivery:

• Administer Laramie County's Master Gardener volunteer program; organize and coordinate Master Gardeners' schedules; teach Master Gardener classes; facilitate Master Gardener training; and assist as needed in the coordination of the state Master Gardener program.
• Administer the community garden program (if applicable).
• Provide direct horticulture support through yard calls and answering horticulture inquiries.
• Provide educational programs about horticulture to various groups and organizations throughout the county.
• Establish professional relationships with Extension Specialists and other scientific experts to ensure programming is rooted in research-based information and initiatives appropriate for this position.
• Identify and implement strategies to expand the reach of educational programming, ensuring programs and processes are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive of community participants and staff with varying backgrounds and experiences.
• Develop and support community partnerships that expand programmatic impact.
• Determine fiscal resources needed for each program and identify external funding sources, as needed.
• Maintain an awareness of current problems and concerns within the horticulture industry; obtain current training in the horticulture field.
• Maintain an awareness of related community resources

Volunteer Systems:

• Identify needs/opportunities for volunteers to serve in management and delivery roles, and recruit and place individuals in these roles.
• Cultivate relationships with and build capacity of Master Gardeners through a support system consisting of effective orientation, training, utilization, recognition, and evaluation.
• Address issues/conflict that arise with volunteer roles.

Communication and Reporting:

• Develop and maintain respectful and responsive working relationships with volunteers, colleagues, community partners, clientele, and the general public.
• Interact positively with youth and adults.
• Develop content for media sources (e.g., newsletters, newspapers, radio, web, social media, podcasts, etc.) to promote programs, report on program impacts, and provide educational information to the public.
• Collect data and prepare reports and presentations to share with local officials and others about the accomplishments, impacts, and public value of horticulture programming.
• Operate modern office machines and equipment including PCs, scanners, printers, copiers; routinely use a full range of word processing, database, and spreadsheet software applications.

Program Operations:

• Secure external funding to support and expand educational programming.
• Ensure potential and current participants have full access to programs, services, and facilities.
• Plan for and manage risk through established procedures and resources.
• Maintain organized records and provide reports.

Essential Physical Demands and Typical Working Conditions:

• Must be able to carry, stand, drive, kneel, speak, squat, hear, climb, stoop, walk, sit, reach, and pull on a regular basis with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to stand or walk for extended periods.
• May be exposed to fumes, hazards, dirt, heat/cold, chemical, noise and toxins.
• May work indoors or outdoors in any type of weather.

Approximate Time Distribution: This is a full-time position. The work week will consist of 40 hours. Horticulture Education 95%, including youth and adult audiences. General office support 5%.

Funding: This position is hired and supervised by the University of Wyoming but is a county-funded position and will therefore exist if these funds are available.

Essential Attendance and Availability Requirements: Must have the ability to work at the job site. Must have regular attendance. Must have the ability to travel. Must have the ability to occasionally work in the evening and on weekends.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or a related field or equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities to fulfill.