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Assistant Curator for ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden’s

Heritage Farm

Position closes September 10, 2012   Advertisement #13061

The Heritage Farm at the Botanic Garden has an opening for an assistant curator, who functions as the farm supervisor.  The supervisor oversees the 10-acre farm operation, which includes a kitchen garden and one-acre crop field, livestock, and approximately 500 apple trees and 200 grape vines.  Last year, the farm produced 5,000 +  pounds of produce that was supplied to the on-site restaurant for their Farm to Table use and sold over 500 gallons of fresh cider at the annual Harvest Festival.  Produce also is delivered to the zoo for the enrichment of the zoo animals. Livestock includes horses (a Percheron and a paint), Navajo churro sheep, goats, chickens and a cow.  The farm has an adobe farmhouse used for demonstrations of old-time crafts and cooking, and a large red barn for educational classes and cider-pressing. Information on the farm can be found at:  http://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark/garden/exhibits/rio-grande-heritage-farm.

This is a City of Albuquerque position, with full benefits (retirement, vacation, sick, paid holidays). During the six month probation period, the salary is $17.36/hr; after six months, it is $18.80/hr.  In general, the work week is 40 hours/week, Monday – Friday.  Weekend work is occasionally required (approximately 6 times a year). The supervisor oversees the work of five full time employees.   

The person in this position must have knowledge and experience with farm animals and agricultural crops, and have worked in agriculture for a total of seven years (a relevant bachelor’s degree can count for four of those years).  Orchard experience is desirable. At least three years of supervising is also required.  Details on the position summary, minimum education and experience requirements, and preferred knowledge, skills and abilities can be found online by searching “City of Albuquerque Employee Job Opportunities” or at:  http://mesa.cabq.gov/cityjobs.nsf/57231a97e6c1628c87256fb100761dcb/8b0cc72b1e0bc66287257a6700513de1?OpenDocument.  Applications can also be made online at this link.  It is very important to include ALL relevant information on the city’s application (not in a supplemental resume).  Be very complete in the Job Duties/Responsibilities; be very specific with the Dates, including time supervised.  Feel free to use the “other skills/abilities” section and you can add Previous Position Held sections if you need it.  No applications will be accepted by the city after the expiration date (9/10/12).

For more information, feel free to contact Catherine Hubbard at Catherine.hubbard@cabq.gov.  The teams at the Botanic Garden and in BioPark Horticulture are terrific, and we are looking for someone to join us who has not only knowledge of agriculture but also passion, organization, initiative, inter-personal skills, a great attitude and a strong work ethic.  If you fit this description, apply now to join our team!