Rock Bottom Ranch Agriculture Director

Rock Bottom Ranch, the agricultural hub of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, serves as a base for teaching environmental education to over 12,000 students a year. We are seeking a motivated, creative and experienced individual to manage agricultural operations. 

Position Overview:

The agriculture director is responsible for developing and implementing a vision best utilizing our 113-acre property to demonstrate sustainable agriculture practices for the Roaring Fork Valley community.  The property is in a conservation easement, with 75 acres of wildlife refuge, 30 acres of pasturelands, and 5 developed acres including 2 acres for vegetable production.  Rock Bottom Ranch is dedicated to sustainable agriculture, environmental education and wildlands preservation. 

We intend to demonstrate rotational grazing techniques and organic vegetable growing practices to serve the community by empowering people to sustainably produce their own food.  The agriculture director will be responsible for community outreach within the Roaring Fork Valley, volunteer recruitment, and some fundraising.  He or she will also live on site and be responsible for maintaining and operating the facility.  Other responsibilities include oversight of the wildlife refuge and wildlife management.

The agriculture director will work closely with the education director to manage staff and supervise an intern, and is also responsible for an agriculture budget.  This position is full-time and salaried, with seasonal variation in work hours.  He or she will report to the Rock Bottom Ranch Director (ACES executive director in the interim). 

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate significant experience with sustainable agriculture.  He or she will also have a strong dedication to creating a teaching and learning environment.  A bachelor's degree in a related field is strongly preferred; however we will make exceptions for exceptional candidates.

Compensation: Housing, salary commensurate with experience.  Full-time ACES employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package.  This position will include holidays and 4 weeks off, at director's discretion, between late November and late January.  Up to a week of additional time off may be offered to balance long summer hours.

Application Deadline: March 2nd, 2011

To Apply:

Please send letter of interest, resume, and 2 downloaded and completed documents.  Download RBR Agriculture Director Application part 1 and part 2 and e-mail it to us as well.