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) is a nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1963 to provide post-award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. RFCUNY’s services allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries, on projects and programs that serve our local and global communities, proposing concrete solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.

RFCUNY serves as a fiscal agent and works closely with all the CUNY campus Grants Offices to perform the core functions of post-award financial management for CUNY research projects and sponsored programs. These functions include legal assessment and signing of agreements where RFCUNY is named as a fiscal agent; setting up award accounts; preparing sub-awards and assisting PIs in monitoring the work of the recipients of sub-awards; supporting project directors with hiring and managing research project and sponsored program staff; supporting the purchasing and paying for goods and services with grant and program funds; managing financial aspects of projects including accounts receivable, financial reporting, invoicing, budget monitoring, and cost compliance with uniform guidance; ensuring that sponsor financial requirements are met; monitoring compliance with applicable project and financial management rules and laws; supporting the management of independent and external audits and financial reviews; and providing data, information, management expertise, and other supports to CUNY’s research and sponsored programs.

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

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