Title: Farm Production Crew Member

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Corps Crew Leader & Manager, Workforce Development

Seasonal Full-time, 14 weeks, scheduled Monday through Friday approximately 36 hours per week:

First cohort program anticipated to start April 15 to July 19, 2024

Position Overview

The Windy City Harvest Corps program provides opportunities to individuals who were previously justice-involved and veterans in closely mentored, full-time, paid transitional jobs and supports them in finding full-time, long-term employment upon successful completion of the program. Crew members work on Windy City Harvest farm sites Monday through Thursday, gaining hands-on technical training. On Fridays, crews participate in Roots of Success and Job Club. Windy City Harvest Corps crew members will assist with daily tasks including seeding, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and washing produce as well as all maintenance work related to Windy City Harvest farm sites in Chicago. May have to work at one of our eight farm sites in Chicago. All crew members will report to their assigned farm site.

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Be flexible to work at all Windy City Harvest sites to support in meeting entire program $250,000 sales goal.
• Assist all Windy City Harvest sites with post-harvest handling, packing, planting, weeding, composting, pruning, watering, and overall site maintenance.
• Safely operate hand tools and power tools including a weed whacker, lawnmower, power drill, harvest knife, pruners, shovels, and other garden tools.
• Assist with harvest pack-out for wholesale, retail, and CSA style distribution.
• Maintain plant health.
• Assist with small construction program (i.e. repair Windy City Harvest hoophouses and raised beds)
• Participate in Roots of Success and Job Development class every Friday for 14 weeks.
• Commit to monthly employment check-ins for six months after completing Harvest Corps.

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors

Qualifications for the Windy City Corps program:

• Live in the City of Chicago
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be able to provide Rap Sheet from the state of Illinois or state where crime was committed
• Be able to provide a DD-214 to document military service-honorable/dishonorable discharge
• Be able to provide a Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, and a valid State ID/Driver's license upon hire
• Be available to work full-time Monday through Friday
• Commit to the Windy City Harvest standards of full-time employment performance
• Priority will be given to individuals who have a high school diploma or GED

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 the public, staff, and program participants. Staff are also required to lift, push, and pull items up to 50 pounds. Staff are expected to work in multiple Windy City Harvest farm sites as assigned.

What does the Windy City Harvest Corps program include?

• Windy City Harvest staff supports each crew member in developing a resume and cover letter, preparing for interviews, and searching for jobs. Crew members also receive weekly feedback from their crew leader on Fridays to help develop workplace readiness skills. Each year, Windy City Harvest Corps offers three cohorts and recruits from January to May. Graduates of Windy City Harvest Corps work in many fields, including food service, commercial food handling, urban agriculture, and more. Windy City Harvest Corps is offered in partnership with the Department of Family and Support Services.
• 14-week, full-time, paid, on-the-job training in urban agriculture, and six months of follow up with Corps graduates and their employers
• Four certificates
  1. Certificate of Completion from Chicago Botanic Garden
  2. Certificate in Environmental Literacy from Roots of Success
  3. Food Handler's Certificate from ServSafe
  4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ten hours of warehouse training
• Job readiness activities including Individual Employment Plan (IEP), resume & cover letter development, mock interviews, and job search assistance
• Weekly documented feedback of performance
• Letter of recommendation from crew leader when in good standing
• Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship and work-study opportunity. The apprenticeship is a nine-month certificate in Sustainable Urban Agriculture, offered in partnership with Richard J. Daley College, Arturo Velasquez Institute, and is worth college credit. Graduates of Harvest Corps who are eligible to join the apprenticeship program have an opportunity to apply for a Windy City Harvest work-study position during their 14 weeks of the Harvest Corps program.

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, 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.