Facilities Manager, Windy City Harvest - (Chicago, IL)

Title: Facilities Manager, Windy City Harvest 

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Operations Director, Windy City Harvest

Year-Round Full-time

Supervises: Vertical Farm Systems Supervisor

Position Overview:

The Windy City Harvest facilities manager is part of the Windy City Harvest (WCH) team. They will work closely with the operations team and all members of our urban agriculture programs. The ideal candidate is comfortable managing shared-used facilities. The facilities manager oversees operational facilities, including custodial, maintains vendor and site-maintenance relationships at the Farm on Ogden, and supports facilities management for the rest of WCH farm repairs. The person in this role is responsible for managing the WCH vehicle fleet in collaboration with the maintenance department at the main campus of the Chicago Botanic Garden; overseeing WCH department-wide site tool inventories; supporting WCH site production needs relating to production, repairs, irrigation, sales, and distribution of more than 100,000 pounds of produce from over 12 sites annually; and supporting department production and earned revenue goals.  

Responsibilities 

In this role you will be responsible for the following:  

Operations:

• Set and enforce departmental equipment protocols, including WCH fleet management.
• Develop and manage annual facilities budget. Submit monthly expense reporting. 
• Manage aggregated WCH tool inventories, assist staff with container organization, and train in proper tool maintenance. Organize maintenance and repair logistics for tools and equipment.
• Manage ticketing system for facilities at WCH. 
• Oversee the maintenance of irrigation systems at all WCH sites, including landscaping areas, working collaboratively with other managers, site coordinators, and growers. 
• Oversee facility operations of Farm on Ogden food hub. This includes aggregation room, greenhouses, landscaping, custodial, outdoor farm, aquaponic system, and general repairs. Work collaboratively with staff based at Farm on Ogden and meet regularly with team to foster efficiency.
• Maintain operational vendor and maintenance relationships for Farm on Ogden and support team with billing and budget tracking.
• Serve as the primary point of contact to manage contracts with vendors and land use partners to ensure efficient use of resources, collaboratively managing maintenance schedules with fellow managers.
• Monitor and oversee site security system at Farm on Ogden; maintain a good relationship with vendors, security team at the main campus of the Chicago Botanic Garden, and community partners.
• Support Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) compliance in the aggregation room at Farm on Ogden.
• Monitor repairs and upkeep to wash pack areas at all sites and commercial kitchen, along with protocols of compliance at all WCH sites.
• Make deliveries and transport produce, equipment, and staff as necessary.
• Support all WCH sites in maintenance to uphold site aesthetic standards.

Administration, Staff Supervision, and Management

• Train and manage Vertical Farm System supervisor.
• Enforce WCH staff standards of performance and support direct reports to feel empowered to uphold standards.
• Review and approve payroll for all reports, ensuring payroll best practices are followed.
• Report updates and support direct reports to effectively communicate and report at weekly meetings.
• Recruit, hire, and onboard staff as appropriate.
• Support management in other areas as needed and train individuals with varying levels of work experience.
• Organize staff training for all department protocols including equipment management and site facility maintenance.
• Maintain good relationships with community partners and residents. Serve as a resource for community partners and lead tours as needed.
• Make decisions appropriate for level of responsibility with self-awareness; know personal strengths and weaknesses; seek feedback and be open to constructive input as an opportunity for improvement. Build capacity in program participants to operate similarly.

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors:

Qualifications
Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Two years of experience in supervisory role 
• Three years of experience in facilities maintenance or equivalent related functions
• Experience developing and tracking annual budgets
• Microsoft Office suite experience required
• Experience developing systems like checklists for quality assurance and quality improvement purposes
• Familiarity with maintaining sustainable farm sites to designated organization standards and food safety compliance preferred 
• A valid driver’s license with good driving record
• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively 
• Detail-oriented, flexible, dependable, and with punctual work ethic
• The ability to lift 50 pounds and capacity to work in all weather conditions
• Knowledge of OSHA and other environmental regulations
• Knowledge of general maintenance methods, operating requirements, and safety precautions related to facilities management
• Proficiency with repair tools and techniques 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to speak with all levels of employees, guests, vendors and team members and the ability to communicate effectively via email, phone, virtual video meeting, in-person, etc. 
• Commitment to the mission of Windy City Harvest
• Commitment to being a resource for community residents, project partners, and program participants

Physical Demands: Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items over 30 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.