Title: Windy City Harvest Youth Farm Intern

Exemption Status: Hourly

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Urban Agriculture Educators

Seasonal-Full-time

Position Overview:

Work with Chicago's most innovative sustainable urban agriculture training program, the Chicago Botanic Garden's Windy City Harvest Youth Farm! The Youth Farm interns will work as part of a dedicated, energetic team at one of our sustainable farms, working alongside high school students to produce sustainably grown food in the Chicago communities of North Lawndale and Washington Park. Youth Farm participants learn about principles of sustainable agriculture, teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurship as they cultivate crops and their own career and professional skills. Chicago Botanic Garden has 3 three-month internships available. Positions are available at the Washington Park Youth Farm and North Lawndale Youth Farm.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Assist with training 16 to 19 high-school-age students on organic growing techniques, including weeding, planting, and harvesting.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for working alongside program participants, including youth, adult learners, veterans, and formerly justice-involved trainees in an agriculture-focused job development setting.
• Facilitate team-building exercises.
• Support coordinators/educators in supervision of students during work in a variety of activities including, but not limited to, farm tasks, landscaping, safe tool usage, and following food safety protocols.
• Facilitate weekly hands-on lessons for crews of three to five Youth Farmers.
• Provide detailed feedback at the end of each day for each student to the coordinator and student crew leader following Windy City Harvest Straight Talk format.
• Report any concerns about student safety or well-being or conflicts among students to coordinator or manager immediately.
• Assist with other program and operational needs as assigned, such as meal/snack preparation and set up, and securing daily supplies.
• Support farm operations at all Windy City Harvest locations as directed.
• Support deliveries of produce and programming supplies as needed, using Chicago Botanic Garden vehicles and following department Fleet Standards.
• Assist with implementing crop plan for sustainable vegetable production to meet a designated sales goal, using succession planting, integrated pest management, and season extension in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
• Act as a resource for program information for project partners, community members, and Chicago Botanic Garden staff. Support with tours as necessary.
• Assist with site maintenance, such as tool/machinery care and maintaining a safe environment.

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors:

• Communicates in a manner that gains the trust and support of others at all levels.
• Works effectively with others despite differences of opinion and style; builds alliances.
• Has a tolerance for opposing points of view.
• Strives for collaboration. Works cooperatively, as a positive contributor to the team.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and shows kindness in all workplace interactions.
• Makes decisions appropriate for level of responsibility.
• Can effectively adapt to change; can shift gears comfortably; is flexible and embraces change with a "can-do" attitude.
• Is self-aware; knows personal strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback and is open to negative feedback as an opportunity for improvement.
• Is cool under pressure; can be counted on to hold things together during tough times; can handle stress; is not knocked off balance by the unexpected; is a settling influence during a crisis.
• Recognizes problems, constructively identifies and articulates solutions.
• Follows safety guidelines to ensure a safe working environment and consistently demonstrates safe work behaviors.
• Is welcoming of new hires.
• Is capable of training individuals with varying levels of work experience.
• Thrives in high communication environments and is capable of public speaking, presentations, and providing tours.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Experience working with youth; prior work in outdoor or experiential education a plus
• Ability to complete Illinois Mandated Reporter Training upon hire
• Basic knowledge of horticulture and/or sustainable agriculture a plus
• Flexibility and comfort working with shifting demands and schedules; occasional evening, early, and Saturday shifts are part of this position
• Willing and able to perform manual labor in all weather conditions, including rain and heat
• Positive, can-do attitude and an interest in the intersection of youth development and urban agriculture within a highly dynamic and collaborative environment

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, the 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.