Timeframe: 300 hours (Start Date: June 5th)

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Age Range: 18-24 years old

Job Description:

Horticulture Apprentices will facilitate garden management and landscaping tasks at a variety of sites around the Twin Cities. This position is designed for students and other youth who are looking for a seasonal apprenticeship where they can gain valuable skills and make an impact in their community. Through garden and aquaponic system maintenance, apprentices will gain valuable, hands-on experience in gardening and horticulture. These programs will help beautify and improve sustainability in local communities while also creating environments for youth engagement and sustainable education. Apprentices will gain a variety of skills including project management, garden construction and maintenance, and aquaponic system.

Deadline to apply: May 31st by 5pm

SCHEDULE

Start Date: Flexible Start Date (Preferred June 5th)

Scope: 215 - 300 Total Hours 

Timing: Flexible (minimum of 10 hours per week)

COMPENSATION

  • $250 stipend at the conclusion of training period + $15/hr wage activated after training 

  • Urban Agriculture Certification

  • Entrepreneurship Certification

  • Metro Transit Bus Pass (if requested)

ELIGIBILITY AND SKILLS

Apprentices must be 18-24 years old and have the ability and/or willingness to:

  • Be comfortable with manual labor and outdoor work 

  • Communicate effectively with interns, supervisors, other staff, and the public

  • Create a welcoming and safe environment that allows high school aged students to grow

  • Have an interest in teaching/learning about the topics of urban farming/horticulture, water stewardship, and aquaponics 

  • Perform tasks including bending over, kneeling, climbing stairs and ladders, standing for long periods of time, and walking significant distances

  • Work in varying weather conditions (ie. rain, humid, etc.)

POTENTIAL PROJECTS

  • City of Minneapolis Landscaping Projects: Provide native landscaping for 2 separate South Minneapolis street medians. Install native plants and sod and maintain sites throughout the season.

  • Holland Basin Rain Garden: Provide plant care and maintenance at the Holland basin, a local rain garden planted by Spark-Y youth in 2021. 

  • Urban Agriculture Lab: Facilitate running a small microgreen business. Relevant tasks include maintaining an aquaponic system as well as planting, growing, harvesting, and packaging microgreens. 

  • Wellness and Education for Everyone (WEE) Farm: Provide farm maintenance at the WEE Farm in Savage, MN

  • General Garden Maintenance: Provide garden maintenance and support at a variety of local garden sites. 

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter by May 31st. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Spark-Y is an Equal Opportunity Employer | Please contact jobs@spark-y.org for any accessibility accommodations.