Rooftop Farm Coordinator

Title: Rooftop Farm Coordinator (McCormick Place)

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Senior Manager of Garden Partnerships

Year-Round Full-Time

Supervises: Urban agriculture program participants

Position Overview:

Windy City Harvest is looking for a farm coordinator to grow vegetables and herb crops, using sustainable management practices. The purpose of this farm site is to educate the public about urban agriculture, grow beautiful and delicious food, and provide a training site for Windy City Harvest program participants. This coordinator should be knowledgeable and comfortable with practicing at multiple sites including rooftops and production farms.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Rooftop farming and display gardening
• Create and implement annual crop plan using input from Executive Chef.
• Implement and support edible landscape design of a -acre rooftop terrace of concrete raised beds and two tiers of vegetable production.
• Meet hospitality group contract expectations.
• Manage production of seedlings, transplants, and direct seeding dates.
• Follow production schedule to maintain five days of irrigation, weeding, pest management, etc.
• Harvest, process vegetables, coordinate and deliver to Executive Chef.
• Project and send out availability to chefs and Windy City Harvest team.
• Maintain accurate records of harvest, food safety, and sales; report monthly to partners and weekly to production team.
• Maintain detailed daily farm logs for IPM, vermicompost system, food safety, bee maintenance, outside/inside logs, and sales; report monthly to partners and weekly to production team.
• Responsible for fall protection.
• Maintain beehives to ensure a balance of optimal bee health and honey production.
• Maintain microgreen production including harvest, logging, and supply to on-site restaurants.
• Supervise, teach, and be involved in the Apprenticeship program from February to October.
• Manage and inventory site supplies and equipment.
• Track expenses within budget and maintain copies of all receipts.
• Act as a resource for program information for project partners, community members, Chicago Botanic Garden staff, and the media as required.
• Host and lead planned and drop-in visitor farm tours.
• Create interpretive signage to enhance tour experiences.
• Obtain OSHA training in competent person fall protection.

Qualifications
Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Minimum three seasons of sustainable vegetable production on a -acre site or larger
• PSA Grower Alliance grower certified preferred
• A valid driver's license with good driving record
• Ability to strategically plan and work full days independently while performing physically demanding tasks in all types of weather
• Experience following strict best practices for post-harvest handling and food safety standards
• Experience selling produce to a wide variety of markets, including walk-up customers at farm stands, restaurants, small grocery retailers, and/or wholesale markets
• Experience projecting availability and following crop plans
• Experience training and managing individuals from varied backgrounds and skill levels
• Flexibility and comfort with shifting demands and schedules. Working outdoors and in an urban farm setting is dynamic. Early and weekend shifts are part of this position
• Beekeeping, compost, hoophouse, and greenhouse management experience preferred
• Detail-oriented, flexible, dependable, and punctual work ethic

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. There will be frequent lifting, standing, walking, bending, farm tool usage, and machinery operation, as well as speaking to public, staff, and program participants. There will also be daily use of small farm machinery and post-harvest handling equipment. Staff is required to lift, push, and pull items up to 50 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, 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.