Title: Windy City Harvest Apprentice

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship Instructor and WCH Site Supervisor

Full-time (30-37.5 hours per week depending on placement), Seasonal 

Position Overview:

Windy City Harvest apprentices work as part of a diverse, dedicated, energetic team to gain meaningful, hands-on, guided experience at one of the following sustainable urban agriculture sites: Windy City Harvest (AVI, Rodeo, Legends, McCormick Place Rooftop, Washington Park Youth Farm, Farm on Ogden, or PCC Austin Farm), or a placement at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Glencoe campus. A minimum of internship program hours worked are required for certification through City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Garden. Paid work experiences are generally 30 or 37.5 hours per week depending on placement. Schedules also vary depending on placement. 

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Work collaboratively on farm production with growers, Harvest Corps crew leaders and WCH operations team, including (but not limited to), implementing crop plan, following production schedule, procuring supplies, planting and maintenance of vegetable production and ornamental areas, and distributing produce through WCH sales channels. 
• Be flexible to work at Windy City Harvest sites to help meet the site’s sales goal.
• Assist at Windy City Harvest sites with post-harvest handling, packing, planting, weeding, composting, pruning, watering, and overall site maintenance.
• Support maintenance of detailed farm and post-harvest handling logs and records. 
• Support deliveries of produce and work at farmers’ markets. 
• Safely operate hand tools and power tools including a weed whacker, lawn mower, 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 (e.g. repair WCH hoop houses and raised beds).

 Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors:

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Capacity to problem solve while working with diverse team and crew
• Be dependable and responsible
• Be comfortable filling out daily WCH logs for reports
• Be able to lift 50 pounds
• A valid driver’s license is preferred 
• Commitment to being a supportive team member
• Dependable and punctual 
• Demonstrate ability and willingness to work a manual labor job in all weather conditions

Physical Demands: 

This is an urban farm setting. Staff must be able to work on feet all day in all weather conditions performing manual labor. There will be frequent lifting, standing, walking, bending, farm tool usage, machinery operation, as well as speaking to the public, staff, and program participants. There will also be daily use of small farm machinery and post-harvest handling equipment. Staff is required to lift, push, and pull items up to 50 pounds.

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.