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Horticultural Instructional Advisor

Employer
Milton Hershey School
Location
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Salary
$46,000 - $61,400, plus benefits.
Closing date
Sep 17, 2022

View more

Discipline
Education
Job Type
Faculty, Instructor, Other
Organization Type
Nonprofit

Founded in 1909 by Milton and Catherine Hershey, Milton Hershey School (MHS) is a tuition-free, private home and school for over 2,000 pre-K through 12th-grade students. Since its’ founding, the lives of more than 11,000 children from lower-income and working-class families have been transformed through high-quality education and a positive, nurturing home life.

MHS is located in Hershey, PA, “the sweetest place on earth” ™ and is seeking a Horticultural Instructional Advisor in the School’s Agricultural and Environmental Education department which provides agricultural and educational experiences and programming for all students enrolled at MHS. 

This position provides joint leadership for the MHS Horticultural Center which is a 135-acre horticultural enterprise including greenhouses, surrounding acreage and an education center. The position includes oversight of greenhouse vegetable and strawberry production, indoor and outdoor floriculture, plant research and propagation, floral design, instructional responsibilities, and agribusiness components. The successful candidate will have the unique opportunity of working with and further developing cutting-edge indoor and vertical growing systems while preparing students for STEM college programs and careers. 

Responsibilities include:

  • Collaborating with faculty and others to deliver high-quality, age-appropriate, horticultural STEM instruction and experiences in K-12 classes.
  • Running an 8-week summer horticulture internship for high school students.
  • Overseeing and assisting with greenhouse production operations including crop care and production, fertility management, insect and disease management, research, and aspects of facility maintenance.
  • Supporting and further developing a year-round, student-run agri-business - the Student Project Market - and wholesale of produce and plants.
  • Creating and overseeing after-school and occasional weekend programming and activities, including fostering participation in extra-curricular activities.
  • Supervising assistant staff members as well as student co-ops and interns.
  • Ensuring student and staff safety throughout full scope of operations.
  • Budget oversight, purchasing, inventory control, and other administrative duties.  
  • Acting as a liaison with universities, local businesses, external vendors, external customers and resources such as PSU Extension, 4H and FFA. 
  • Participating in regular, industry-specific training and education.

This position pays  $46,000 - $61,400, plus benefits. 

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agriculture or closely related degree.
  • 3-plus years of experience developing and delivering horticultural and/or agricultural learning experiences with children and youth preferred. Experience with multi-cultural and/or lower-income students a plus.
  • Experienced in production horticulture and demonstrating a strong interest in olericulture.
  • Experienced in the management and oversight of greenhouses and gardens, including hydroponic technologies.
  • Demonstrated skills in safely utilizing trucks, tractors, mowers, roto-tillers, and other gas-powered equipment.
  • Knowledgeable regarding emerging plant science technologies and research.
  • Knowledgeable regarding integrated pest management strategies.
  • Experienced in safe utilization of chemicals (acids, fertilizers and pesticides). 
  • Commercial pesticide license Category 23 – Schools and Parks required. (May be obtained on the job)
  • Basic computer skills with Microsoft Outlook, Word and PowerPoint and their Google counterparts. 
  • Ability and aptitude to learn new software and control systems for greenhouse management required.
  • Demonstrated skills in pro-actively and effectively collaborating with others to implement and complete projects and programs.
  • Proactively and independently manage time effectively to complete multiple tasks and projects efficiently.
  • Must be willing to actively engage with students as a teacher, a mentor and a supervisor.
  • Candidates should demonstrate a high degree of integrity as all MHS staff are considered to be role models for students.

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