Farm Production Crew Leader, Windy City Harvest - Chicago, Il

Title: Farm Production Crew Leader

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Manager of Workforce Development

Seasonal, Full-time: Anticipated to start March 2024 and end November 2024

Supervises: Five to eight Harvest Corps crew members

Position Overview:

The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest is looking for dedicated Farm Production Crew Leaders to work with our transitional jobs and workforce development program. Crew Leaders will be a part of a collaborative team environment working closely with all members of our Windy City Harvest program and operations teams.

The Windy City Harvest Corps program employs 30 to 40 justice-involved individuals and veterans per year in closely mentored, full-time, paid transitional jobs. Our goal is to support our graduates in finding full-time, long-term employment.

WCH is looking for three Farm Production Crew Leaders who are prepared for hard work and self-motivated with high energy for day-to-day manual labor. Experience working with adults returning to or entering the workforce is necessary. The ideal candidate for these positions is well versed in leading others and enforcing workplace standards.

Crew Leaders will work on multiple Windy City Harvest sites with farm coordinators to train Corps participants in workplace skills related to local food systems. The Crew Leader also assists with job development classes on Fridays.

For more information on the Corps program, please visit our website:

chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/corps

Responsibilities

In this role, you will be responsible for the following:

• Guide and work side-by-side with crew on farm site tasks such as planting, weeding, harvesting, post-harvest handling, composting, and site maintenance four days a week.
• Work closely with the Workforce Development manager, Harvest Corps coordinator, and WCH farm coordinators to carry out daily work assignments for crews in order to meet Farm Production goal.
• Oversee crew punching in and out on workplace tablet and maintain clear, accurate records for payroll and grant compliance procedures.
• Lead your crew in developing employability skills such as appropriate workplace behavior, attendance, communication, pace, teamwork, and workplace safety.
• Ensure all Harvest Corps participants are held to the Windy City Harvest standards agreement through weekly feedback. Crew leaders will document crew members’ performance and share written and verbal feedback with crew members every Friday.
• Support participants with Individual Employment Plan goals and connect transferrable skills to their employment goals.
• Teach job-development classes. Provide general support for job development and job search activities including assisting participants with writing resumes and cover letters, completing job applications, and preparing for interviews.
• Give and log weekly safety talks.
• Act as a resource for program information for project partners, community members, Garden staff, and media.
• Assist participants in gaining full-time employment.
• Willing to work with all departments and/or at all farm sites at any time and any day. Expected to support in custodial work.
• Available to work full-time, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from March through the beginning of November.
• Site assignment, task list, and schedules may be subject to change depending on the needs of farm.

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors

VALUES

As an organization, we…

BEHAVIORS

As an organization, we…

Prioritize a culture of GROWTH.

We commit to remaining curious in how we approach our work.

• Create and maintain spaces for learning.
• Test new ideas and are willing to take risks to achieve our vision.
• Collaborate to strengthen our skills and impact.
• Demonstrate perseverance and humility as we work toward our long-term impact.

Seek to UNDERSTAND.

We seek to understand others from their perspective.

• Provide opportunities for input and feedback from others.
• Actively listen to all points of view.
• Consider individuals’ lived experiences.
• Advocate for and protect time for reflection especially during times of conflict or confusion.

See one another through a lens of RESILIENCE.

We believe that all individuals can experience good outcomes with support.

• Give others the space to balance work and personal needs.
• Support others and demonstrate empathy especially during challenging and stressful times.
• Seek opportunities to learn from and about one another.
• Ask questions about and anticipate the needs of others.

Build TRUST through TRANSPARENCY

We hold ourselves and others accountable by centering decision-making that honors all people.

• Communicate information in a timely manner.
• Provide clarity in complex situations with the goal of common understanding.
• Discuss both positive and negative outcomes openly.
• Evaluate the impacts of our actions.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• At least one year of experience gardening, farming, landscaping, working outdoors, or in the local food system
• Experience working with adults returning to or entering the workforce is ideal
• Commitment to the model of transitional jobs
• Demonstrated experience in leading others and enforcing workplace standards
• Experience giving constructive verbal and written feedback to staff and participants to prepare them for their next employment opportunities
• Demonstrated experience building successful relationships with team members, program participants, and employment partners
• A valid driver’s license with a good driving record
• Commitment to being a supportive resource for program participants, community residents, and project partners
• Excellent communication skills: email, phone, and in person
• Dependable and punctual
• Able to handle chemicals

Physical Demands:

This is an urban farm setting. Staff must be able to work on their feet all day in all weather conditions performing manual labor. This will involve frequent lifting, standing, walking, bending, farm tool usage, machinery operation and speaking to public, staff, and program participants. Staff is also required to lift, push, and pull items up to 50 pounds. Staff are expected to work in multiple locations.

Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.