Crew Member

Title: Farm Production Crew Member

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Work Force Development Manager and Field Supervisor

Seasonal: 1st Cohort April 13 – July 17

Full-time: 35 hours

Position Overview

Windy City Harvest Corps is a physically demanding 14-week, full-time position that requires employees to be able to bend, walk, kneel, stand, tolerate all weather conditions, and lift 25- 50 pounds frequently, sometimes a little more throughout their work week. Windy City Harvest Corps crew members will assist with all daily tasks for chosen work site including seeding, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting and washing produce as well as all maintenance work related to Windy City Harvest farm sites. All crew members will report to their assigned farm site daily and may have to travel to other sites as needed.

Farm Operations Crew Responsibilities –

• Be flexible to work at all Windy City Harvest sites to support in meeting entire program 250k 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 weed whacker, lawnmower, power drill, harvest knife, pruners, shovels and others 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 WCH 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 6 months after completing Harvest Corps 14 weeks.  

Qualifications

• 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-Friday


• Demonstrate a real interest in a full-time job


• Demonstrate ability and willingness to work a manual labor job in all weather conditions 


• 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

Contact ragardner@chicagobotanic.org with questions

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 lbs. Staff are expected to work in multiple locations.

What does the Windy City Harvest Corps program include?

• 14-week, full-time, paid, on the job training in urban agriculture and 6-months of follow up with Corps graduates and their employer


• 4 Certificates


• Certificate of Completion from Chicago Botanic Garden


• Certificate in Environmental Literacy from Roots of Success


• Food Handler’s Certificate from ServSafe


• OSHA 10hr 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 is eligible to join the apprenticeship program has an opportunity to apply for a Windy City Harvest Work-study position during their 14 weeks of Harvest Corps

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.