Indigenous Garden Coordinator

Position Summary:

The Indigenous Garden Coordinator (“Coordinator”) will coordinate garden work related to the Indigenous culture and knowledge priority area of Fort Lewis College’s Reconciliation Framework and the Center for Reconciliation. From 1891-1910, FLC operated as a federal Indian boarding school system. To address the intergenerational impacts of the federal Indian boarding school system, FLC has undertaken a comprehensive approach to reconciliation that is focused on healing, maintaining respectful, reciprocal relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, and caring for Indigenous students at FLC. Indigenous culture and knowledge is one of four priority areas of FLC’s Reconciliation Framework. The other priority areas are centered around Tribal Nation Building, Language Reclamation, and Health & Wellness. 



The Indigenous Garden Coordinator will be a member of the Reconciliation team and will also work collaboratively across campus to support the team’s cohesive and collaborative Reconciliation strategy that realizes FLC’s commitment to Indigenous communities.



This position oversees the establishment of a new 1,500 square foot Indigenous Garden, which includes medicinal, natural dyes, edible, craft and tool, and pollinator garden beds. Additionally, the Coordinator will provide gardening stupport to the Environmental Center Growing Spaces: a 750 square foot Campus Garden and a ¼-acre Food Forest Orchard. The position reports to the Director of Reconciliation.

Job Description:

 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities 

 

Indigenous Garden & Reconciliation Department 

• Develop and oversee the operational and programmatic goals of the Indigenous Garden, grounded in Indigenous culture and knowledge, in partnership with campus community input 

 

 

• Manage 3-5 Indigenous garden student staff to complete post-construction plantings, develop a long-term sustainability plan, and implement Indigenous-centered protocols for community use 

 

• Manage all educational programming related to the Indigenous Garden and develop resources and initiatives that support the Indigenous Garden as a site of learning and Indigenous culture & knowledge as part of FLC’s reconciliation work and the FLC 2025-2030 strategic plan 

 

• Cultivate and sustain collaborative partnerships with on- and off-campus stakeholders , including college departments, committees, the Old Fort at Hesperus, local nonprofits, and Tribal partners 

 

• Conduct assessments and evaluation to support the ongoing development and enhancement of the Indigenous Garden and cultural programs and processes at and beyond FLC 

 

• Implement and assess promotion strategies for reconciliation events, programs, and the Center for Reconciliation (e.g., newsletters, website, social media, posters). 

• Contribute to reconciliation curriculum development, professional development, and community engagement opportunities. 

 

Environmental Center Growing Spaces 

• Perform and oversee garden and orchard maintenance for the Environmental Center growing spaces including crop planning, controlling weed pressure, scheduling irrigation, and succession planting. 

 

• Maintain all garden equipment including but not limited to the water collecting tank, irrigation drip lines, and cider press. 

• Oversees EC Growing Spaces during the summer months, including managing Growing Spaces interns up to 5 hours per week

 

• Communicate the maintenance status of the Growing Spaces to the EC Assistant Director and Coordinator and engage in a collaborative decision process with consultation from the Director of Reconciliation 

 

• Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities and Section 508 

• Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards. 

• Perform other duties as assigned 

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree or four years of equivalent experience 

• 2 or more years of relevant professional experience  

• 2 or more years of experience in plant care and garden maintenance 

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience 

• Strong collaboration, communication and organizational skills 

• Experience or education in Traditional Ecological Knowledge systems or practices 

• Knowledge or education in cultural seed-keeping  

• Experience working with a diverse group of individuals, specifically Indigenous communities 

Report to / Supervisory Responsibility: 

This position reports to the Director of Reconciliation. 

Travel: 

• Approximately 10% of employees' responsibilities will include travel.  

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work 

• Exempt 

• Full Time – 1 FTE 

• Temporary- Fixed Term 

• Full Year 

• Typical Work hours are M-F 8-5, with occasional after hours and weekend coverage. 

• This position is grant-funded through June 30, 2028 

 

About Fort Lewis College:

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango

Notice to Prospective Employees:
 The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report.  The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:

• Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy

• Sexual assault policy

• Campus security policies

• Campus/community resources

• The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment

• Where to find registered sex offender information

• Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years

• Reporting crimes

 
 The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:
By going to the internet website at:   www.fortlewis.edu/AnnualSecurityReport Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request.   You can reach them at (970) 247-7331.

Equal Opportunity
Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.

Discrimination Questions?

Office of Compliance and Community Standards
David Pirrone, Director of Compliance
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?    
Office of the Title IX Coordinator
Madeleine Gillman, Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7049 mgillman@fortlewis.edu

Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.

* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.

ADAA Accommodations
Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.