Farm Site Coordinator

About the job

FarmSite Coordinator– Chicago FarmWorks

Summary: Chicago FarmWorks is a 2.6 acre farm in Garfield Park that fights poverty. We do this through two related goals: to distribute local produce of the highest quality to those who need it most, and to help people with multiple barriers to employment find fulltime, permanent jobs. The Farm Site Coordinator will coordinate and execute urban farm operations. The Farm Site Coordinator is responsible for planting, maintenance, harvesting, post-harvest handling, distribution, record keeping, participant supervision, relevant participant education. The Seasonal Farmer will assist in livestock care as needed. The Seasonal Farmer will contribute to communications and coordinate with wholesale customers, contractors, volunteers, and other partners. The Seasonal Farmer works collaboratively with internal and external partners to coordinate health, wellness, engagement, employment and community objectives for participants and residents.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible, in conjunction with Chicago FarmWorks Manager, for daily activities including maintenance, growing vegetables, flowers, or other crops in accordance with participant and partners’ interests, nutrition considerations, and wholesale customer demand, and distribution of produce
• Execute and coordinate crop plan, contribute to planting schedule, and calculate projections for yield per resident or consumer needs
• Maintain site, buildings, supplies, and equipment to standards of cleanliness, effectiveness, and availability
• Coordinate work of Transitional Jobs participants, residents, volunteers, youth participants, and others engaging in urban agriculture activities as needed in absence of Chicago FarmWorks Manager
• Develop and execute an integrated pest management strategy to maintain farm health
• Facilitate career pathways for Transitional Jobs participants, such as offering ServSafe certification as needed.
• Assist in livestock care as necessary in partnership with Chicago FarmWorks manager and resident volunteers.
• Maintain accurate records of harvests, volunteer engagement, and other activities
• Engage participants and residents with regular hands-on experience and education
• Utilize Heartland Alliance Philosophy of Care when engaging with participants
• Lead scheduled tours with community members and students from partner organizations
• Provide necessary reports to internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to grant proposals and other external communications
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders for program development and expansion
• Attend internal and external meetings as required
• Assist with resource development as needed
• Ensure the implementation of organization and program/department policies and procedures (e.g. personnel, financial, client eligibility, Standards of Professional Conduct, etc.)
• Perform other duties as assigned

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies.

• Ability to identify and resolve problematic issues in a timely manner; demonstrated ability to problem solve and develop alternative, creative, and/or innovative solutions
• Ability to execute a field plan, adjusting to possibly unforeseeable variables such as weather, disease, or pest pressure
• Ability to engage in conflict resolution and maintain confidentiality and objectiveness
• Demonstrated ability in presentation skills and leadership of group activities
• Ability to write clearly and informatively; edit work for spelling and grammar; vary writing style to meet needs; present numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Ability to read and comprehend contract and budgetary requirements and ensure program outcomes targets are met
• Adaptability to changes in the work environment management of competing demands; Ability to change approach or method to address and resolve scenarios; Ability to handle frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Responsive to management direction.
• Ability to involve others, coach for improvement, build in quality, and provide developmental support

Qualifications:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education and/or Experience:  Associates degree and three years related experience required.  May give credit towards years of experience if attained a degree higher than a Bachelor’s degree. Documented agriculture experience required. Urban agriculture, program implementation, or management experience preferred. Experience working with persons overcoming barriers to employment preferred.
• Other Qualifications:   Be able to independently travel throughout Chicago. May require weekend and evening hours.
• Language Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills required.
• Computer Skills:  Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange; Windows operating systems; and other software routinely used by Heartland Alliance.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit and walk.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to lift at least 50 pounds
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to grasp, pull, push and drag.

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The work environment is primarily outdoors, in variable temperatures and weather conditions.
• The work environment includes livestock, including chickens, bees, or other livestock.
• The work environment is may not have electricity or other utilities.
• The noise in the work environment is moderate.
• Heartland Alliance makes all hiring and employment decisions, and operates all programs, services, and functions without regard to race, receipt of an order of protection, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, amnesty, physical or mental disability, protected veterans status, genetic information, sexual orientation, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, use of FMLA, VESSA, military, and family military rights, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the organization’s AIDS Policy Statement of September 1987.