Job Description

The Tidewater Farm Food Security Apprentice is based at the University of Maine Gardens at Tidewater Farm, in Falmouth, which promotes the Harvest for Hunger Program and provides education opportunities for children and adults. This position will focus on vegetable production and food security initiatives at Tidewater Farm and in the Greater Portland area with the Cumberland County Gleaning Initiative, including but not limited to:

• Assisting with general field work, planting, record-keeping, tool maintenance, irrigation, harvesting and pest management at Tidewater Farm.
• Supporting gleaning initiatives on-site and in collaboration with the Cumberland County Food Security Council.
• Delivering gleaned produce from local farms to community partners in the Greater Portland area.
• Communicating with garden visitors about their horticulture needs and providing research-based answers to their horticulture-related questions.

This position is a part-time (16 hours/week), temporary position from May 26 - November 14, with an hourly rate of $20.90.

Please see the full for more details.

About Cooperative Extension:

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has been a vital resource for over 100 years, connecting communities with university research to improve lives across the state. Our focus areas include the Maine Food System and Positive Youth Development through 4-H programs, delivered by a network of experts based in county offices statewide.

We pride ourselves on being an equitable, sustainable, and enjoyable workplace, and we welcome diverse perspectives and experiences. We also believe in work and life balance and offer benefits to support you. Learn more about our mission and work at extension.umaine.edu.

About the University:

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu

Qualifications:
Required:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)
• Must have one year of experience in a horticulture/agriculture field OR successfully completed the Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must have a driver’s license.
• Must be able to perform physical activities, lift heavy objects (up to 50 pounds), and work in various weather conditions.
  

Other Information:

To be considered for this position you will need to “Apply” and upload the documentation listed below:
1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae
Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.
Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on April 21, 2026.
For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Pamela Hargest
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening and post offer physical.
The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/

Clery Act
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.