Job Purpose: The Rise Community Garden supports gardening education and food access in northeast Wichita, and the Senior Garden Volunteer will support this dual mission, serving as steward, subject-matter expert, and community liaison.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Daily operations at the Rise Community Garden:
- Provide hands-on gardening, including plant care, site upkeep, and seasonal prep
- Maintain tools and supplies, ensure safe storage, track inventory, and submit orders
- Enforce site safety rules, ensure protective gear is used, and mitigate hazards
- Report operational updates to Project Manager and participate in Project Team meetings
Volunteer training and supervision:
- Interview and onboard new volunteers
- Teach volunteers horticultural techniques and safe tool usage
- Plan daily and seasonal work plans and delegate tasks to match volunteer skill levels
Gardening education and community services:
- Welcome and guide visitors, fostering a collaborative environment
- Field general gardening and horticulture inquiries from staff and volunteers
- Assist with programs and share personal gardening expertise with community members
Qualifications:
- Expertise in gardening and horticulture (Master Gardener certification preferred)
- Ability to educate the public
- Ability to lead community volunteer projects
Hours: Twenty hours monthly, from two to four hours per week to up to ten hours per week as necessary.
Working Conditions: Stamina and hydration are required for work in hot, humid, and occasionally damp conditions.
Physical Requirements: This is physically demanding work, requiring the ability to stand, walk, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, squat and use hand tools for extended periods and lift and carry supplies, ranging from 10 to 50 pounds, up to 10 feet.
To apply for this position, fill out the Senior Garden Volunteer Application
. Completed forms can be returned to the Library in person or by mail, or scanned and emailed to admin@wichitalibrary.org.
