YOUTH PROGRAM MANAGER – Chicago Lights Urban Farm

April 2024

Classification: Exempt

Status: Regular, Full-time

Reports to: Interim Director of Urban Farm

Program Summary

The Chicago Lights Urban Farm is a ¾ acre farm in the Near North community of Chicago. The Farm is dedicated to cultivating a thoughtful and engaged community of youth and adults through economic and educational opportunities, hands-on learning, and access to fresh, local, and sustainably grown produce. The Farm provides a safe sanctuary for community members, grows a variety of annual and perennial crops, offers programming for youth, distributes produce to the community, hosts volunteers, holds several community events, and provides space for community gardening.

Position Summary

The Youth Program Manager is an integral member of the Urban Farm team, working alongside staff, youth, community members, and volunteers to cultivate an engaged learning community. This role oversees many important Urban Farm initiatives: manages a high school development and job training program that engages high school age youth in farm-related tasks, community building, educational activities, and workshops on agricultural and social justice-related topics; and assists with other community engagement efforts.

Schedule

Much of this position is site-based but can accommodate some remote work as programs allow. This position is full-time 40 hours a week and will have seasonal fluctuations in the weekly schedule. During Spring and Fall sessions of the youth program, weekly hours could include two evenings per week. Exact days and hours may change and will be determined based on Chicago Public School schedules, After School Matters requirements, and seasonal farm operations. Saturdays are required for special events or program days.

Robust Benefits Package

• Medical insurance (church pays 85% of employee monthly premium and 75% of eligible dependents)
• Employer-paid life insurance and short-term disability insurance
• Optional dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance plans available
• Generous paid time off plus 11 paid holidays
• 403b retirement plan (employer contributions after one year of employment)
• FSA for unreimbursed medical and dependent daycare expenses
• Mass transit and commuter parking benefits

Responsibilities

Youth Development Program

• Plan and implement the high school program up to three sessions per year, including planning curriculum and recruiting students.
• Lead activities and teach workshops for youth, recruit guest speakers, and identify off-site experiences.
• Offer hands-on experience in farm and marketing skills through engaging with Farm microenterprises and education practices.
• Act as lead instructor and liaison for the Farm’s partnership with After School Matters (ASM) through protocol compliance and relationship cultivation.
• Attend professional development trainings through ASM and other organizations.
• Seek and cultivate partnerships that strengthen the youth program.
• Stay connected with past program participants and organize a yearly Youth Advisory Council meeting for program input.

Other

• Help manage the Farm’s Square payment site for utilization in the Volunteer program and for other uses, including the spring Plant Sale.
• Input participant info and other data from all programs into the Farm database when necessary.
• Assist with farm production tasks and public events as needed.
• Help lead groups of volunteers through farm tasks when youth programming is not in session.
• Attend staff meetings as required.
• It is impossible to convey every single task into one job description. As the role evolves over time, this job description will be adjusted accordingly.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with high school-age youth with education and interest in youth development models.
• Experience with gardening and/or urban farming practices is encouraged.
• Comfort working with basic Microsoft applications - Word, Excel, Forms as well as Google Forms.
• Commitment to social justice values and engaging youth and volunteers on these topics.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Able to build relationships with youth and adults.
• Flexible availability (with advance notice) and ability to shift gears quickly and efficiently.
• Physical and mental endurance - the ability to lift 40 pounds, stand for long periods, and work outside in any weather.
• Comfortable operating as a member of a team and working with people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Understanding of and commitment to providing trauma-informed care.
• Strong work ethic, judgment, apparent collaboration skills, and a commitment to Chicago Lights’ mission.

• Commitment to racial equity and social justice. Recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in shaping disparities, and work toward amplifying community voices to advocate for equity. Recognize how your own identities show up in the work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.

Physical and Work Requirements

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an

employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable

accommodation may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform essential. functions.

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing and working outside in any weather.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.
• If the current health conditions dictate, one must be able to participate in online virtual communications, including email, video conferencing, and other online tools used to facilitate virtual office culture and work sharing.
• Smoke- and drug (illegal or recreational)-free environment.
• Fourth Church/Chicago Lights aims for accessibility in any off-site location that we have control of, but some of them may not be fully accessible.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and
• scanners. An employee is regularly required to communicate effectively via computer, via phone, and in person.

Application Process

• Email subject line should read Your name/Youth Program Manager – Urban Farm

EEO Statement

Fourth Presbyterian Church/Chicago Lights is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, without regard to race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status or familial status, veteran status, military status, source of income, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law. Fourth Church/Chicago Lights seeks to build and retain a diverse staff and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated as a respected and valued member of the team. Fourth Church/Chicago Lights is committed to elevating the voices of women, young people, people of color, Native people, immigrants and refugees, low-income people, LGBQ , and transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people, people with disabilities, and young parents. We encourage people from these communities to apply.