Departmental Assistant - Cranberry Station

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

Seasonal Departmental Assistant/Field Assistant (May - November) to help with general bog and facilities upkeep supervised by the Farm Manager at the UMass Cranberry Station, East Wareham, MA.

Established in 1910, located 140 miles east of the main campus in the town of East Wareham, Southeastern Massachusetts, the Cranberry Station is administratively linked to the UMass Amherst Campus. It is a research and outreach center charged with the mission of enhancing the economic viability of the Massachusetts Cranberry Industry and serving the public welfare by supporting economic development and the protection of the environment. The facility has 18 acres of cranberry bog for research and production, with 11 acres on site.

Essential Functions

• Maintain irrigation, ditch, and dike system.
• Perform weeding.
• Apply fertilizer by hand.
• Mow, trim weeds, perform light painting, and perform carpentry.
• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Take initiative, be creative, and operate with self-direction.
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the UMASS Cranberry station to support research and extension priorities.

Other Functions

Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the UMASS Cranberry Station.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively and work productively in establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with a diverse population of faculty, staff and students.
• Ability to organize and prioritize goals; ability to collaborate well to formulate plans and objectives in accordance with overall college goals; ability to identify and implement process improvements.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Knowledge of a working bog, previous experience working on a cranberry bog or horticultural experience.
• Valid driver's license.
• Completed worker protection training.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Must be willing to work outdoors on cranberry bogs, occasionally in inclement weather, for most of the day.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds.
• Must be able to walk on uneven terrain.

Work Schedule

• 24 hours per week/Monday-Friday 6:00 am - 2:30 pm.
• This is a temporary, non-benefited position.

Salary Information

• $15 - $19 per hour, dependent on level of experience working on a bog.

Additional Information

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.