RamCorps Educational Farm/Ranch Manager and Planner

Description of Work Unit

Established in 2015, the partnership between CSU Extension and AmeriCorps aims to provide people power to the communities of Colorado. The CSUE AmeriCorps Program is an AmeriCorps State program funded by AmeriCorps through Serve Colorado – The Governor’s Commission on Community Service. Our program facilitates members serving across the state of Colorado. To learn more about CSU Extension, visit our website. To learn more about AmeriCorps, click here.

To learn more about the CSU Extension AmeriCorps Program, visit https://engagement.colostate.edu/ramcorps/.

The Colorado College (CC) Student Farm was founded in the early 2000s as a learning space to experiment with sustainable farming techniques, provide education about appropriate food systems, and to provide healthy, locally grown food for the college community. The Student Farm has evolved over time, and its current operations are led by the Student Farm club with guidance and support from the college Office of Sustainability.

Rock Ledge Ranch (RLR) is a living history landscape near Garden of the Gods in western Colorado Springs.The Ranch actively demonstrates the importance of the land,and agriculture in general, in Colorado’s history – immersing visitors in diverse cultural experiences. The Ranch is owned by the City of Colorado Springs, but managed by the nonprofit,Living History Association (LHA).

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service and engagement.

Position Summary

This position will serve with the CC Student Farm and LHA for Rock Ledge Ranch to help conduct day to day activities at both locations. This position will also support both organizations to plan future activities and identify resources needed to meet organizational objectives. Most of the service for this position will be physical activities done to assist partner organizations with plant and/or livestock management.

Term of Service / Time Commitment:

This is a minimum-time national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 300 hours during the term (approximately 15 hours/week). The position begins May 20, 2024 and ends October 18, 2024. The member will to develop a schedule with leadership that ensures enough opportunity to meet the minimum number of service hours.

Training and Support Provided:

Members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% (or 60 hours) of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved trainings.

Members will be supervised and supported by Derek Lowstuter, as well as by Melinda Macpherson, RamCorps Program Manager, [email protected]. The cohort of members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions:

This position is based at Colorado College Student Farm (1228 Wood Ave. Colorado Springs, CO, 80903) and will involve Rock Ledge Ranch (3105 Gateway Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80904). Position will involve frequent days of service outdoors and community building. This position will serve outside with plants, livestock, and site volunteers.

Program Benefits:

• A living allowance of approximately$282 for minimum-time members (300 hours) per pay period on a bi-weekly cycle for an approximate total of $3,105.00 for the term of service. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member.
• An education award of $1,459.26 is earned upon successful completion of term of service.
• It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member.
• Mileage reimbursement for travel to required trainings and days of service
• Access to ongoing professional development trainings and resources through the university
• Experience serving with professionals in the field with on the ground training
• Non-tangible benefits including extensive making a difference in a community, valuable networking opportunities, and serving the local community in an identified area of need
• Alumni benefits include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt.
• The member will develop experience serving with institutions of higher education, including Colorado College and Colorado State University. They will also serve with conservation partners responsibly manage farm/ranch resources.
• The member will gain experience serving with both plants and animals in an agricultural context.

EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected].

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected].

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected].

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education.

Read Full Description