Graduate Assistant - Greenhouse
Position Title: Graduate Assistant - Greenhouse
# of Openings: 1
Department/Program: Environmental Studies 11090
Work Location: 100% On-Site
Campus Location: Arapahoe Campus
Reports to: Stephen Polk
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt/Hourly
FTE: 18% (7 hrs/week)
Compensation: $20 per hour and $2,250 scholarship for the academic year
Application Deadline: 3/31/25 or until filled
Job Summary
The Naropa Greenhouse Graduate Assistant will maintain Naropa’s greenhouse in collaboration with, and under supervision of, Stephen Polk, assistant professor in the BA Environmental Studies program.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
• Work with professor to manage the interior operation of the campus greenhouse to optimize use by the Naropa community, environmental studies department, other departments, as well as for promotional use by student services.
• Regularly water, trim, till, observe, and interact, etc., with greenhouse plants and systems.
• Communicate often with the professor regarding accomplishments, irregularities, or failures of plants or systems.
• Prepare seasonal beds for use by permaculture students, as well as intermittent upkeep in the Naropa Food Forest.
• Provide instructional support for Permaculture classes (3 each year).
Job Qualifications:
• Current graduate student at Naropa University in good standing.
• Training and experience in greenhouse operations and management strongly preferred
• Strong organizational skills
• Some teaching experience preferred
• Knowledge of Permaculture Principles (Permaculture Certification optimal)
• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• All job candidates must demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of and appreciation for the values of Naropa University and the capacity to demonstrate an integration and embodiment of these values as evidenced in work, communication, collaboration styles, and other general workplace behaviors.
Physical Requirements & Environmental Conditions:
In the classrooms and on campus may experience: interruptions, distractions, heat, cold, dust and/or dampness. As a graduate assistant, you may spend extended periods time with any of the following:
•Reading academic texts and materials, student papers, etc.
•Operating personal computer and audio-visual equipment.
•Standing or sitting for hours at a time.
•Moving around campus for classes and meetings.
Naropa recognizes the following holidays throughout the year: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Fall Break, 4th Thursday and Friday in November, and Winter Break, the last two weeks in December encompassing the Christmas holiday as well as New Year’s.
Naropa’s health and welfare benefits include the following: medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, an employer-sponsored pre-tax retirement savings plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching, and a variety of voluntary, employee-paid supplemental insurance plans.
A comprehensive benefits package is available to full-time employees who work a minimum of 30 hours each week. Employees who work 20 – 29 hours each week are eligible for only the employer-paid short-term & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment, and the retirement plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.
Employees who work fewer than 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in Naropa’s retirement plan only, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.
All regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff, including student workers, accrue sick leave benefits. Full-time and part-time staff positions accrue vacation and personal time. All leave accrual rates vary based on the position, hours worked, and years of service.
The University recognizes the importance of including its employees in its organizational mission and values and welcomes employees into the classroom to “touch the magic.” Specifically, regular employees are provided generous tuition remission opportunities for themselves and their family members.
Naropa University participates in the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP). CIC-TEP is a network of CIC colleges and universities willing to accept, tuition-free, students from families of full-time employees of other CIC participating institutions (full-time as designated by the employer/institution). Additional information can be found here: https://www.cic.edu/member-services/tuition-exchange-program.
Naropa University is an equal opportunity, non-discriminatory employer and Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual and relationship violence. This law applies to all students, faculty, and staff.