FCW Specialist/Garden Operations (Part-Time)

Latino-Center-of-the-Midlands-1; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Latino Center of the Midlands in Omaha, NE is seeking a FCW Specialist – Garden Operations for Cultivate Wellness. This part-time, seasonal role supports daily garden operations, irrigation monitoring, harvest coordination, and program activities, with 15–20 hours per week during the garden season.

The position emphasizes outdoor work, reliability, teamwork with volunteers, and documentation. Compensation is hourly, with no employer-sponsored benefits for this temporary role, and employment may

Qualifications

• Experience with vegetable gardening or horticulture is helpful.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Reliable, able to work independently and follow set schedules.

Responsibilities

• Maintain garden beds, irrigation, paths, and shared garden spaces during the growing season.
• Plant, water, weed, mulch, harvest, and prepare beds according to seasonal plans.
• Assist with seasonal garden prep, maintenance, harvesting, and end‑of‑season cleanup.
• Provide basic gardening guidance to volunteers and program participants.
• Document garden activities and communicate progress to the FCW Manager.

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

FCW Specialist/Garden Operations (Part-Time)

Omaha, NE, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1020

Salary Range: $22.00 To $22.00 Hourly

Mission

The mission of the Latino Center of the Midlands is cultivating generations of engaged, thriving Latinos.

Position Summary

The Family and Community Well-Being (FCW) Specialist – Garden Operations supports the implementation of the Cultivate Wellness program by managing the daily operations of the LCM Health & Innovation Garden at the Dorothy Patach Natural Environmental Area. The position helps ensure the garden remains safe, productive, welcoming, and prepared for programs, volunteers, workshops, produce distribution, and community events.

Cultivate Wellness is a free, at-home gardening and health program that empowers families to grow fresh, culturally relevant produce while increasing access to affordable, healthy food. The LCM Health & Innovation Garden supports the program by providing space for hands-on education, demonstrations, volunteer engagement, community activities, and fresh food production and distribution.

The Specialist works independently within established garden plans, safety procedures, and program priorities while maintaining regular communication with the FCW Manager. Responsibilities include routine garden maintenance, irrigation monitoring, plant care, volunteer support, harvest coordination, inventory management, and documentation of garden activities.

This is a temporary, part-time seasonal position working approximately 15–20 hours per week during the Cultivate Wellness program season, generally from late April through August. Employment may continue through September based on program needs, available funding, and seasonal garden activities.

Employment Classification, Schedule, and Benefits

Employment Status: Temporary, part-time, seasonal, non-exempt (hourly).

Expected Hours: Approximately 15–20 hours per week. Actual hours may vary depending on weather, garden conditions, scheduled activities, and operational needs.

Employment Period: Generally late April through August, with the possibility of continued employment through September for harvesting, garden cleanup, documentation, and program closeout activities.

Benefits Eligibility: This temporary position is not eligible for LCM's employer-sponsored medical, dental, or vision insurance, paid holidays, paid time off (PTO), or other benefits reserved for eligible regular employees, except as required by applicable law or governing benefit-plan terms.

Compensation: Employees will be compensated for all hours worked in accordance with applicable wage-and-hour laws, including overtime when applicable.

Temporary Employment: The position is limited to the seasonal assignment. Continued employment, extension, conversion to a regular position, and a minimum number of weekly hours are not guaranteed.

The ideal candidate will:

Demonstrates a strong commitment to community health, food access, environmental stewardship, and culturally responsive programming.

Applies practical knowledge of vegetable gardening, raised beds, irrigation, soil care, pest management, harvesting, and seasonal garden maintenance.

Works reliably and independently outdoors while following established priorities, schedules, safety procedures, and documentation requirements.

Communicates clearly and respectfully with LCM staff, program participants, volunteers, interns, service-learning students, and community members.

Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, organization, and willingness to ask for guidance when garden, safety, or program needs fall outside the scope of the position.

Is comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions and adjusting tasks based on seasonal garden needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Garden Operations and Maintenance

Maintain vegetable beds, pollinator areas, pathways, and shared garden spaces throughout the growing season.

Plant, water, weed, mulch, stake, prune, harvest, and prepare garden beds according to seasonal plans and plant needs.

Maintain clean, organized, and safe tools, pathways, work areas, storage spaces, and garden features.

Complete routine garden tasks according to established schedules while adjusting priorities for weather, plant development, and upcoming program activities.

Assist with seasonal garden preparation, planting, maintenance, harvesting, and end-of-season cleanup.

Irrigation, Plant Health, and Safety

Monitor the automated irrigation system and adjust watering schedules based on weather conditions, soil moisture, and plant needs.

Inspect plants and garden areas regularly for signs of pests, disease, nutrient deficiencies, irrigation problems, damage, or other concerns.

Address routine plant-health and maintenance needs using approved methods and notify the FCW Manager of significant or recurring concerns.

Identify and report hazards involving pathways, tools, equipment, structures, irrigation components, weather conditions, or other garden features.

Follow LCM policies and procedures related to heat safety, severe weather, tool use, emergency response, incident reporting, and safe outdoor work.

Program, Volunteer, and Event Support

Prepare the garden, tools, supplies, and educational materials for Cultivate Wellness workshops, volunteer activities, tours, garden builds, produce distributions, and community events.

Provide day-to-day guidance and clear gardening instructions to volunteers, interns, and service-learning students working in the garden.

Provide basic gardening education and demonstrations to program participants, volunteers, and visitors using approved program guidance.

Coordinate with the FCW Manager and other program staff regarding upcoming activities, volunteer needs, garden priorities, and required materials.

Welcome participants, volunteers, partners, and visitors and represent LCM professionally during garden activities and events.

Support volunteer activities while ensuring participants follow established garden procedures and safety expectations.

Harvest and Produce Distribution

Harvest produce at the appropriate stage of maturity and follow approved procedures for handling, cleaning, weighing, storing, and preparing produce for distribution.

Coordinate with FCW staff regarding harvest quantities, distribution schedules, recipient needs, and use of produce in programs or events.

Maintain accurate harvest and distribution records and report produce quality, storage, or food-safety concerns promptly.

Assist with organizing produce for distribution to participating households and other approved recipients.

Inventory, Data, and Documentation

Maintain an accurate inventory of plants, seeds, tools, soil amendments, irrigation supplies, safety equipment, educational materials, and other garden resources.

Monitor supply levels and submit requests for replacement tools, materials, repairs, or purchases to the FCW Manager in advance when possible.

Maintain weekly records of completed work, volunteer participation, harvests, distributions, supply needs, plant-health concerns, irrigation issues, and follow-up items.

Take photographs and prepare brief garden updates for grant reporting, program evaluation, and approved communications.

Participate in end-of-season review and provide practical recommendations for future planting, maintenance, volunteer coordination, supplies, and garden improvements.

Maintain accurate time records and submit timesheets in accordance with LCM payroll procedures.

Program and Team Support

Participate in required orientation, training, regular check-ins, team meetings, and planning sessions.

Communicate completed work, upcoming priorities, supply needs, schedule changes, safety concerns, and unresolved garden issues to the FCW Manager.

Share observations and feedback that may improve garden operations, educational activities, volunteer experiences, or seasonal planning.

Assist with seasonal garden closeout activities, including inventory, tool organization, storage, cleanup, and documentation.

Other

Complete approved local travel to obtain supplies or support related Cultivate Wellness activities, as assigned.

Support special projects and perform other duties related to the position as assigned by the FCW Manager.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not supervise LCM employees. The FCW Specialist may provide day-to-day guidance, task assignments, and safety direction to volunteers, interns, and service-learning students working in the garden.

Competencies, Skills, and Abilities

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the position successfully.

Gardening Knowledge - Applies practical knowledge of planting, watering, soil care, mulching, staking, pruning, pest management, harvesting, and seasonal garden maintenance.

Reliability and Accountability - Maintains an assigned schedule, arrives prepared and on time, follows through on responsibilities, and communicates promptly when circumstances change.

Planning and Organization - Prioritizes routine maintenance, program preparation, inventory, and documentation; uses time effectively; and anticipates seasonal and supply needs.

Safety Awareness - Recognizes outdoor, weather, equipment, pathway, and worksite hazards and follows appropriate prevention, reporting, and emergency procedures.

Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills - Communicates professionally and respectfully with staff, participants, volunteers, partners, and community members and provides clear instructions and demonstrations.

Data Entry and Recordkeeping - Maintains accurate and timely records of garden work, volunteers, harvests, distributions, inventory, supply needs, and concerns.

Judgment and Problem-Solving - Responds resourcefully to routine garden needs, recognizes the limits of the role, and seeks guidance or escalates concerns appropriately.

Adaptability - Adjusts to changing weather, plant needs, schedules, volunteer availability, and program priorities while maintaining quality and safety.

Qualifications

Experience with vegetable gardening, raised beds, community gardens, urban agriculture, horticulture, or a related area required.

Knowledge of basic planting, watering, irrigation, soil care, pest management, harvesting, and seasonal garden practices.

Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, organization, and ability to work independently within established procedures.

Ability to communicate gardening instructions clearly and respectfully; bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English preferred, but not required.

Ability to maintain accurate records and provide timely updates regarding garden conditions, completed work, inventory, and supply needs.

Ability to work approximately 15-20 hours per week during the primary program season, generally from late April through August, with the possibility of limited work through September for harvesting, cleanup, and program follow-up.

Availability to work primarily weekday mornings, when outdoor temperatures are generally safer, and occasional evenings or weekends for workshops, volunteer activities, or community events.

Successful completion of required background checks, orientation, and LCM training.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance are required. First Aid/CPR/AED certification may be required and may be obtained through the employer after hiring. No other certificates, licenses, or registrations are required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand and walk for extended periods; use hands for gardening and tool-related tasks; reach with hands and arms; and frequently stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, push, pull, or work at ground and raised-bed level. The employee may occasionally need to lift and/or move plants, soil, tools, water, produce, or program supplies weighing up to 25 pounds and, on occasion, up to 40 pounds.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The position is based primarily outdoors at the LCM Health & Innovation Garden at the Dorothy Patach Natural Environmental Area. The employee will regularly work in heat, humidity, wind, sun, rain, and other varying weather conditions and may be exposed to soil, pollen, plants, insects, garden chemicals or amendments, dust, mud, water, sharp tools, and uneven surfaces. Work may occasionally take place at LCM offices, participant homes, community sites, or partner locations. Some evening or weekend work may be required for workshops, volunteer activities, and community events. The noise level is usually moderate.

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

The Latino Center of the Midlands acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. LCM believes in creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences and is committed to equitable treatment and the elimination of discrimination in all its forms at all organizational levels and throughout all programs.