Windy City Harvest Field Supervisor - Chicago, IL

Title: Windy City Harvest Field Supervisor

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department:  Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Manager of Workforce Development  

Year-Round, Full-time 

Supervises: 5 to 10 Harvest Crew Members

Position Overview:

The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest is looking for dedicated Field Supervisors to work with our transitional jobs and workforce development programs. Field Supervisors 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. 

Windy City Harvest is looking for Field Supervisors prepared for outside work and who are self-motivated with high energy to train and educate participants by working with them side-by-side. Experience working with adults returning to or entering the workforce is preferred. The ideal candidate for these positions is well-versed in leading others and enforcing workplace standards. 

Field Supervisors will work on multiple Windy City Harvest sites with farm coordinators to train Corps participants in workplace skills related to local food systems. The Field Supervisors also assist with job development classes. 

In addition to supporting the Corps program, Field Supervisors will also offer support with leading programming and operational aspects of the other Windy City Harvest workforce development programs (i.e. Production Assistants and Apprenticeship).

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

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/urban_agriculture_windy_city_harvest_corps 

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:   

Corps Participant Supervision & Training (approximately 60% of role)

• Lead your crew in developing employability skills including technical and interpersonal skills, attendance, communication, teamwork, productivity, and workplace safety.   
• Supervise and approve staff timecards and maintain clear, accurate records for payroll and grant compliance procedures. 
• Ensure all Harvest Corps participants observe Windy City Harvest standards agreement. Document crew members’ performance and share written and verbal feedback with crew members weekly. 
• Work side-by-side with program participants to help them identify training/educational needs, develop/enhance their soft skills, and assist them with resources to get them employed.  
• Support participants with Individual Employment Plan goals and connect farm transferrable skills to their employment goals.   
• Guide participants toward full-time employment opportunities.  
• Complete one-on-one weekly check-ins with crew members to advise them in reaching their employment goals.    
• Assist with hiring and onboarding 30 to 40 participants per year for two 14-week cohorts.  
• Support in overseeing other Windy City Harvest participants, as needed.

Workforce Development Training & Recruitment (approximately 20% of role)

• Teach job development classes. Provide general support for job development search activities, including assisting participants with writing resumes and letters, completing job applications, and preparing for interviews.
• Lead classes for Roots of Success, an environmental literacy and job readiness curriculum for Windy City Harvest participants.
• Act as a resource for program information for project partners, community members, Chicago Botanic Garden staff, and media.
• Lead weekly study hall classes for production assistants.
• Assist with the recruitment of program participants from partner organizations.
• Support with leading work shadows during recruitment season. Provide feedback evaluations to support decision-making. 

Farm Operations (approximately 20% of role)

• Guide and work side-by-side with Corps participants, production assistants, and apprentices on farm site tasks such as: planting, weeding, harvesting, post-harvest handling, composting, and site maintenance.
• Work closely with the Windy City Harvest Operations team to carry out daily work assignments for Windy City Harvest participants to meet farm production goals.
• Demonstrate best practices in market gardening and diversified vegetable production. Guide participants with technical farm skills including planting, weeding, integrated pest management, watering, and harvesting of produce. 
• Follow set crop plan, task lists, production schedules, and harvest availability at the farm you are reporting to.  
• Give and log weekly safety talks and complete farm production logs to ensure compliance with food and safety standards.
• Willing to work with all departments and/or at all farm sites depending on the operational needs.   

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors: 

Qualifications
 

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Available to work full-time Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Site assignment and task list will be based off of operational needs. In the event of inclement weather, schedules may be subject to change.  
• One to two years 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.
• Understanding and 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. 
• Ability 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, 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.