About Urban Growers Collective

Urban Growers Collective (UGC) uses urban agriculture and community food system development to dismantle inequities and structural racism, which prevent communities of color from living healthy, vibrant lives. UGC cultivates nourishing environments in Chicago’s historically disinvested communities, seeding pathways to freedom while supporting residents’ health, economic development, healing and creativity through urban agriculture.

As a Black- and woman-led 501(c)(3) organization, we believe that achieving food justice is a necessary first step in healing the historical trauma experienced by communities of color, building their resilience, and, ultimately, achieving liberation. While our work is rooted in farming, UGC’s approach is holistic. Our eight farms over 11 acres primarily on the Southside of Chicago, IL growing over 25,000 pounds of fresh produce annually, enabling food access to tens of thousands of food-insecure Chicagoans and providing safe and healing spaces for educational and life-enriching opportunities to hundreds of individuals each year through public workshops, workforce development, and land stewardship.

Now, UGC is preparing to open a new renewable energy facility and hub for urban agriculture and green jobs on Chicago’s South Side, the Green Era Campus. Through this work, we are breathing new life into long-neglected communities, building a sustainable model for a just food sector, and redefining what’s possible for Chicago’s local food systems.

Position Summary

The position will require a high level of public engagement that demands aptitude for teaching, working with volunteers and community members, networking and inspiring new audiences. The Green Era Community Outreach Coordinator will provide primary coordination and communication for community facing programming at the Green Era Campus. They will welcome, supervise and work alongside on site volunteer activities and support coordination and outreach for public events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

*These projected time allocations represent an estimated average time only - actual time will be tracked weekly and adjusted seasonally based on seasonal needs.

Community Outreach and Engagement (70% - 28 hrs / week)

Host regular tours and volunteer opportunities for community members to learn about the Green Era Campus & Partners

Manage relationships with Campus project partners including Green Era Sustainability, Green Era Educational NFP and Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation within the AGAG Chicago Prize partnership.

Activate and facilitate Chicago Park District Advisory Council;

Attend and cultivate opportunities to share and connect community to campus;

Coordinate outreach materials for community events;

Set up, staff and break down information tables at public events and presentations;

Coordinate other event logistics for on-site and local events;

Promote community programs, including workshops to educate Chicagoans on a variety of topics focusing on agricultural growing techniques, renewable energy, social justice and healing;

Participate in outreach and relationship building with community partners;

Provide tours & orientations for individuals, community groups and schools;

Build directory of community entities, lead local outreach to partners;

Support onsite produce distribution & market;

Promote UGC programs at special events and community meetings; and

Represent UGC in a professional, inclusive and respectful way at meetings.

Develop and execute outreach strategies to engage students, faculty, community members, and organizations in organics recycling, renewable energy, environmental and STEM initiatives.

Organize workshops, seminars, tours and awareness campaigns to promote organics recycling, renewable energy, environmental sustainability and STEM disciplines.

Foster a sense of community involvement and responsibility for the environment among campus stakeholders and partners.

Work with schools and organizations to increase food waste recycling and renewable energy and environmental sustainability.

Community Site Production (20% - 8hrs / week)

Work alongside community in planting, maintaining and harvesting from onsite grow bags an hydroponic growing operations;

Deliver curriculum modules connected to hydroponic growing technology;

Provide tours and introduction to farm space.

General Administration (10% - 4hrs / week):

Collect and analyze data to assess the effectiveness of outreach and educational programs.

Prepare regular reports on the progress and impact of initiatives.

Contribute to monthly program reports;

Complete weekly work plan and daily checkouts;

Contribute to social media for GEC;

Submit accurate timesheets & expense reports;

Maintain appropriate supplies for projects;

Represent UGC in a professional, inclusive and respectful way at meetings and personal social media pages.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

At least 3 years experience engaging community members in an educational setting, including coordination and administrative responsibilities;

Must have a proven track record with establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with teens, parents, community partners and residents, especially underrepresented communities and communities of color;

Knowledge of food systems, renewable energy and organic sustainable farming;

Experience with curriculum development and delivery

Excellent organizational, communication and follow-through skills;

Maintains appropriate professional boundaries in working with co-workers and teens;

Ability to think critically and creatively;

Willingness to work as part of a team in a collaborative environment, but have the ability to work unsupervised to complete the job;

Basic familiarity with Google Workspace & GSuite, and/or willingness to learn;

Must be able to lift 25 pounds; and most importantly a

Passion for food justice, youth development and urban farming.

Valid Driver’s License and willingness to drive, preferred.

Required: Able to work on holidays / evenings / weekends

Physical Demands and Work Environment

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

Must be willing and able to work in an open-office environment; and

Position may require prolonged use of a computer, to be provided by Urban Growers Collective.

Must be willing and able to work in a farm environment; including all weather conditions (hot, humid, rainy, cold, snowy);

Schedule

This is a full-time salaried position, 40 hours per week;

Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm / 10:30a-7:00p (when evenings are required);

Breaks: 2 - 15 minute breaks (paid) + 30 minute lunch (unpaid); and

Occasional evening hours will be required to participate in farm and community events. Start time will be flexed to accommodate change in schedule.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Holidays, Vacation Pay, Personal/Sick Pay, Wellness Benefits, Employee Assistance Program, Student Loan Assistance Program, Retirement Plan

UGC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or genetics.