Human Resources Manager, Windy City Harvest

Title: Manager, Human Resources Windy City Harvest

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department: Human Resources 

Location: Hybrid: Will be based on the Glencoe campus and remote, with on-site presence as needed at Windy City Harvest’s Farm on Ogden, 3555 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago.

Reports to: Associate Vice President (AVP), Talent Acquisition and Human Resources (Glencoe campus)

Year-Round Full-time 

Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

• 2025 Chicago Botanic Garden Benefit Guide - Year-Round Full-time

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate’s qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate’s salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual’s contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview: The Human Resources manager serves as the primary Human Resources (HR) leader and trusted employee relations partner for Windy City Harvest located at the Farm on Ogden in Chicago. 

The Farm on Ogden, a multiuse facility located in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood, supports and sustains a healthy urban community by bringing food, health, and jobs together in one location. Windy City Harvest, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s urban agriculture program, in partnership with Lawndale Christian Health Center, takes a “whole person” approach to community health and wellness.  

The Human Resources manager is responsible for supporting the day-to-day HR functions relating to all phases of the employee life cycle activities, such as recruitment, onboarding, employee data maintenance, employee relations, workers’ compensation, training coordination, and confidential record maintenance for Windy City Harvest. The person in this role will serve as the first point of HR contact for new hires for Windy City Harvest. Reporting to the AVP, Talent Acquisition and Human Resources, this position takes full ownership of Windy City Harvest’s employee relations and partners closely with program leadership to address the unique needs of a mission-driven, community-facing workforce.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:  

• Serve as the lead employee relations advisor for Windy City Harvest; act as the first point of contact and trusted resource for all employees, supervisors, and program participants on workplace concerns, conflict resolution, performance management, policy interpretation, and disciplinary matters. 
• Independently manage and resolve routine employee relations issues; conduct thorough, impartial investigations into concerns (harassment, discrimination, policy violations, etc.) in partnership with the AVP, Talent Acquisition and Human Resources, as needed.
• Coach and provide guidance to managers on constructive feedback, progressive discipline, and performance improvement plans. 
• Partner with Windy City Harvest leadership to develop and deliver training on topics such as respect in the workplace, conflict resolution, supervisory skills, and cultural competency. 
• Full-cycle recruitment for all Windy City Harvest positions with a focus on inclusive hiring practices and building diverse talent pipelines in the Lawndale community and beyond. 
• Own onboarding and the new-hire experience for Windy City Harvest staff, ensuring a welcoming, thorough, and equity-focused integration into the organization. 
• Administer leave management, accommodations (ADA), and benefits inquiries for Windy City Harvest employees.
• Administer workers compensation for the Garden.
• Maintain accurate employee data, records, and compliance documentation in HRIS, currently ADP Workforce Now and E-Verify; run background checks and ensure I-9 compliance. 
• Continuously evaluate and improve HR processes with a lens toward accessibility, equity, and employee experience. 
• Collaborate on Garden-wide HR projects and serve as the vital link between Windy City Harvest and HR in Glencoe.
• Work with and support the HR department on special projects and tasks as needed.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following: 

• At least five years of progressive HR generalist experience required, with an emphasis on employee relations and recruitment; experience in a nonprofit setting preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in human resources or related field; HR Certification a plus.
• At least three years of full-cycle recruiting experience and experience with benefit plans with the knowledge to answer benefit-related questions for employees and applicants.
• Proven ability to build trust and credibility with employees at all levels, particularly in diverse, community-based, or transitional workforce environments. 
• Strong working knowledge of federal, Illinois, and Chicago employment laws and compliance (e.g. FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, Chicago Fair Workweek, etc.).
• Exceptional emotional intelligence, active listening, and conflict de-escalation skills; ability to remain calm, impartial, and compassionate under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) required.
• Proficiency in virtual meeting technology such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Adobe Pro and HRIS proficiency required; ADP preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, follow-through, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong written/verbal communication skills; demonstrate good listening skills; able to communicate status on process with colleagues, keep team members informed, and respond clearly to employee inquiries.
• Working knowledge of workers’ compensation, benefits administration, as well as leave management and compensation.
• Independent and organized work style; ability to make independent decisions and regularly suggest ways to improve services and processes.
• Effectively manage time and prioritize workload; assume and manage multiple projects or tasks, adapt to change, and consistently meet deadlines.
• High degree of integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Physical Demands: 
 Office setting. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and typing. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds. This position will be hybrid, working at the Glencoe campus with flexibility to work remotely. Must be able to travel on-site to Windy City Harvest’s Farm on Ogden as needed.

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.