About Urban Growers Collective

Urban Growers Collective is a Black- and women-led non-profit farm in Chicago, Illinois working to build a more just and equitable local food system. We aim to address the inequities and structural racism that exist in the food system and in communities of color. Rooted in growing food, our mission is to cultivate nourishing environments which support health, economic development, healing, and creativity through urban agriculture.

We provide hands-on job training and create economic opportunities for youth, beginner BIPOC farmers, and men who are at high risk for gun violence. Our aim is to provide jobs while working to mitigate food insecurity and limited access to affordable, culturally-affirming, and nutritionally-dense food.

Our team cultivates eight urban farms on 11 acres of land, predominantly located on Chicago’s South Side. These farms are production-oriented but also offer opportunities for staff-led education, training, and leadership development. Our produce is available at farmers’ markets, in our Collective Supported Agriculture program, and at the Fresh Moves Mobile Market.

To apply, please upload a cover letter, resume and three professional references on our Career page: https://urbangrowerscollective.apscareerportal.com/jobs

Only complete applications will be considered.

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 Community and Volunteer Coordinator will ensure that UGC’s Farm Programs are inclusive, accessible and enjoyed by community members. They will provide primary coordination and communication for the community garden program, supervise/work-alongside on site volunteer activities and support coordination for workshops & public events. The Community & Volunteer Coordinator will work closely with program staff to support onsite programming at UGC Farms, partner sites, and will engage the surrounding community in farm offerings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Volunteer Program Support & Lead Engagement (45% - 18hrs/week*):

Recruit, supervise, and support volunteers for on-farm programs and special events - this involves working directly alongside volunteers on the farm;

Provide volunteer tours & orientations during growing season for individuals, community groups and schools;

Coordinate with farm staff to identify volunteer activities that support programming onsite;

Support farm production goals through volunteer activities;

Support community members in meaningful ways to create lasting relationships;

Develop advanced opportunities for long-term volunteers;

Support accurate volunteer reporting and recording, liability waivers, hours, contact information etc.;

Plan and coordinate volunteer appreciation events;

Ensure accurate volunteer reporting and recording, liability waivers, hours, contact information etc.

Community Garden Lead (15% - 6hrs/week*):

Serve as primary liaison between UGC and community garden participants;

Enhance and expand the community garden program through outreach and programming;

Ensure the garden site is inclusive, accessible and enjoyed by community members;

Host seasonal community garden orientations & events;

Assign individual plots and manage community garden participant expectations;

Ensure community garden participants maintain plots throughout the growing season;

Develop and facilitate educational programs related to UGC’s community garden efforts;

Provide regular updates and outreach to community garden participants;

Ensure accurate community garden reporting and recording, liability waivers, hours, contact information etc.

Apprenticeship Program Support (10% - 4hrs/week*):

Herbal & Growers Apprentice

Support Direct Programming and Participant Engagement, as needed; this may include:

Support onsite learning in the farm;

Coordinate work-share hours and opportunities for apprenticeship participants;

Support online program engagement and learning through Mighty Network Management;

Ensure accurate apprentice workshare reporting and recording: program impact, liability waivers, hours, contact information, photo documentation, evaluation, etc;

Partnership Program Support (10% - 4hrs / week):

Support community events and volunteer engagement onsite at partner gardens, as needed

Ensure accurate reporting and recording of program impact, liability waivers, hours, contact information etc.;

Participate in outreach and relationship building with potential community partners, as needed

Workshop Support (5% - 2hrs/week*):

Enhance and expand workshops through outreach and programming;

Ensure accurate workshop reporting and recording: program impact, liability waivers, hours, contact information, etc;

Targeted outreach for community engagement;

Support and collect evaluation surveys and protocols;

Organization Outreach & Community Events Lead (10% - 4hrs/week*):

Cultivate opportunities and coordinate outreach materials for community events;

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

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

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

Participate in outreach and relationship building with community partners;

Lead communication to South Chicago Community Partners;

Provide volunteer tours & orientations during growing season for individuals, community groups and schools;

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

Promote UGC programs at special events and community meetings; and

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

General Admin (5% - 2hrs/week*):

Contribute to monthly program reports;

Complete weekly work plan and daily checkouts;

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 in a program coordination role;

Experience and knowledge of food systems and organic sustainable farming;

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

Competency working with communities of color and diverse workplace; experience in dismantling racism and anti-oppression work is important;

Ability to problem solve, think critically and creatively;

Must work well as a member of a team and have the ability to supervise staff in a consistent, direct, thoughtful way geared towards educating and problem solving;

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

Excellent organizational, communication and follow-through skills;

Must have the ability to use Word, Excel, Google Docs;

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

Love for urban farming and passionate about social equity issues with ability to cooperate and communicate with diverse partners, including neighbors, supporters, funders and public officials;

Preferred: Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record

Preferred: Conversational fluency in Spanish

Preferred: CPR Certified

Required: COVID-19 Vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption with mandatory weekly testing

Required: Able to work on Saturdays and occasional holidays

Schedule:

This is a full time position, 40 hours per week

Tuesday-Saturday 8:30a-5:00p / 11a-7:30p

30min unpaid lunch, 2 - 15min paid breaks

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

Compensation: $42,000 - $45,000 (commensurate with experience)

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