Job Title: Hydroponics Laboratory Instructor

PVN ID: KB-2407-006365

Category: Instruction and Social Service

Location: KINGSBOROUGH C. C.

Job Description

General Description

Kingsborough Community College was founded in 1963 and is one of 25 campuses of the City University of New York (CUNY) system and offers liberal arts education, as well as career training programs. Kingsborough has been named one of the leading community colleges in the country by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. It has also earned national recognition for its creative and effective use of learning communities, for the large number of degrees it confers, for the high percentage of graduates who continue their studies, and for the innovative programs that draw thousands of non-traditional students to its campus every year.

The Kingsborough Community Farm and Garden is a quarter acre farm space located on campus. The mission of the Kingsborough Community College Community Farm and Garden (CFG) is to provide valuable learning opportunities by promoting gardening, growing nutritious and sustainable food, and cultivating a greater sense of community. The garden strives to be a trans-disciplinary space supporting the academic and non-academic values of a community college through sustainable urban agriculture and local food production. We will provide access to students, faculty, staff, and the wider community, with the purpose of developing a beautiful and nurturing space where it can continue to be used for educational and enriching activities and experiences including research and instruction while growing nutritious, organic vegetables and produce. The KCC Hydroponics Learning Lab located in T-605 is an important part of the KCC CFG, offering an opportunity to learn about technological advances in agriculture, workforce development, and a space for educational and research opportunities for the KCC community.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Teach courses on hydroponics growing systems for workforce development including installation and system maintenance (NFT, Dutch Bucket, Aeroponics, etc.), water quality and nutrient management, pest identification and management, propagation methods, crop planning and harvesting for commercial systems, and introduction of advanced technical systems and commercial hydroponics industry.

• Develop appropriate lesson plans around hydroponics workforce development training topics listed above in conjunction with Hydroponics Lab Technician and Farm and Garden Administrator.

• Prepare Power Point lectures and other necessary student materials and ability to utilize learning management systems such as Black Board or Brightspace.

• Assist with student development of workforce preparation such as resume writing, and soft skills development.

• Work in collaboration with Hydroponics Lab Technician to ensure lab is well maintained, students are kept on task and demonstrate professional and appropriate behavior in the space and growing/harvesting records are properly completed.

• Perform other general tasks as assigned by the Division.

Part Time – up to 120 hours per year (1 year appointment)

Other Duties

• Teach continuing education courses on hydroponics growing systems for workforce development including installation and system maintenance (NFT, Dutch Bucket, Aeroponics, etc.), water quality and nutrient management, pest identification and management, propagation methods, crop planning and harvesting for commercial systems, and introduction of advanced technical systems and commercial hydroponics.

• Maintain and troubleshoot various hydroponic systems in conjunction with lab technician such as nutrient solutions, pH and EC management, lighting, temperature, and humidity control.

• Work with lab technician to schedule planting, nutrient replenishment, maintenance tasks, and other activities to ensure optimal plant growth and smooth operation of the lab with student learners in the workforce development program.

• Enters and maintains Hydroponics lab records such as records, rosters, directories, and schedules that pertain to class sessions.

• May operate computers, computer software, and other electronic equipment in performing assigned tasks.

• This specification describes typical assignments; related duties may be assigned as needed.

  Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree

• 2+ years actively creating, installing, and growing in commercial/industrial level hydroponics facilities

• 1+ year teaching experience with adult learners

• Must demonstrate sufficient skills to perform the duties of the assigned tasks.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with hydroponics lab maintenance, organic and sustainable farm practices and gardening skills including familiarity with gardening tools, supplies and equipment strongly preferred

• Ability to work evenings and weekends

• Experience in Urban farming preferred (soil based)

• Some previous administrative experience

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to clearly communicate with lab team, gardener, Farm and Garden Administrator, students, volunteers, campus, and outside community members

• Inter-personal qualities conducive to one-on-one and small-group interactions

  RFCUNY Benefits RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

  About the Research Foundation

The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) was established as a not-for-profit educational corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1963. RFCUNY supports CUNY faculty and staff in identifying and obtaining external support (pre-award) from government and private sponsors and is responsible for the administration of all such funded programs (post-award).

RFCUNY stands between CUNY’s principal investigators (PIs) and the sponsors who support them and strives to fulfill its essential responsibilities to both groups. Working closely with individual PIs and Grants Officers on the campuses, RFCUNY oversees employment, accounting, audit, reporting, purchasing, and special responsibilities that include management of a planned giving program; liaison with governmental agencies and foundations; negotiation of agreements; facility construction and renovation; protection and commercialization of intellectual property; and compliance with applicable standards in research involving human subjects, animal care, environmental and radiological safety, and conflicts of interest.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Key Features

Department Workforce

Status Part Time

Pay Range $55.00-$65.00

Hour(s) a week 3.00-6.00

Closing Date Sep 29, 2024 (Or Until Filled)

Bargaining Unit No

Actions

• Apply

• Print

• Email

• Linkedin

• Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.rfcuny.org/careers/postings?pvnID=KB-2407-006365&title=Careers at RFCUNY)

• Google

• • Twitter (http://twitter.com/home?status=Job Openings at RFCUNY+https://www.rfcuny.org/careers/postings?pvnID=KB-2407-006365)