Farm Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Title : Farm Assistant

Location : 407 N. Albany

Schedule : Monday-Friday 20 hours per week (Hours may vary depending on project schedule)

Summary :

The Workforce Development programs seek to provide high quality individualized employment placement services and wrap around supports to assist in building economic vitality and stability and long-term investment to build a better quality of life for participants and their families.

We strive to provide meaningful programming to mitigate barriers to employment, coupled with cognitive behavioral interventions, education, social services, and career development.

Under the direction of the Farm Supervisor, the Farm Assistant works collaboratively with internal and external partners to support the health, wellness, engagement, employment, and community objectives of the program.

We do this through two related goals : to distribute local produce of the highest quality to those who need it most. This role will focus on the produce production for the Rush Veggie Rx program.

The Farm Assistant is a part-time / seasonal position for the 2024-2026 growing seasons. The Farm Assistant is responsible for assisting with planting, maintenance, harvesting, post-harvesting handling, distribution and delivery, record keeping, and some volunteer management.

The Farm Assistant leverages industry knowledge and best practices to promote the mission and vision of Heartland Alliance.

Supports culture development and management efforts.

Why Join Us?

• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals seeking education and career pathways.
• Collaborate with a diverse and passionate team dedicated to the mission and vision of our FFForganization.
• Enjoy a hybrid work arrangement, providing flexibility and work-life balance.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and expertise.

Our Benefits :

• Medical insurance. BCBS PPO, EPO, and HSA Plans
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) 3% Employer Contribution.
• Paid maternity leave.
• Paid paternity leave.
• Commuter benefits.
• Student loan assistance.
• Tuition assistance.
• Disability insurance
• FSA Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Special Vendor Discounted Offerings on Travel, Amusement Parks, etc.

Essential Functions :

Duties & Responsibilities

• Supports the coordination and execution of farm operations.
• Executes crop plan, contributes to planting schedule, and calculates projections for yield per resident or consumer needs.
• Delivers and handles produce abiding by post-handling and health code regulations.
• Works independently without direct supervision
• Supports the maintenance needs of the site, buildings, supplies, and equipment to standards of cleanliness, effectiveness, and availability.
• Coordinates work of transitional jobs participants, volunteers, youth participants, and others engaging in urban agriculture activities
• Utilizes Heartland Alliance Philosophy of Care when engaging with participants.
• Assists with accomplishing program and contractual outcomes.
• Ensures the implementation of organization and program / department policies and procedures (e.g. personnel and Standards of Professional Conduct, etc.)
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience :

• Minimum High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Minimum (3) years of related experience in urban agriculture or related experience is required.
• Current driver’s license
• Able to qualify to be a certified Heartland Alliance Driver

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities (K / S / A) :

• Execute a field plan, adjusting to possible unforeseeable variables such as weather, disease, or pest pressure.
• Be able to independently travel throughout Chicago.
• Demonstrate ability in presentation skills and leadership of group activities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, Outlook / Exchange; Windows operating systems and other software routinely used by Heartland Alliance
• Excellent communication skills. Strong networker, convener, relationship builder and communicator with experience collaborating with diverse work teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information possessing skills to handle situations in a professional manner.
• A high degree of collaboration and emotional intelligence, self-motivation, and analytical ability
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

• Ability to work independently and remain self-motivated with minimal direct supervision.
• Strategic thought partnership and consultancy skills

Work Arrangement :

This role is not eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement.

Work Environment :

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Each program site operates on a Monday Friday 8 : 30am 5pm. To meet both the needs of our participants and contractual obligations, employees are required to be flexible regarding scheduling and work location.
• Program sites are located throughout the Chicago area, including the North, West, and South sides of Chicago, as well as the suburbs.

Employees may be required to report to any one of our locations on a temporary or permanent basis.

Physical Demands :

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk.
• The employee must be able to stoop, kneel and / or crawl.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to key, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.
• The employee must have unrestricted ability to provide physical restraint.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Heartland Human Care Services 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.