YOUTH FACILITATOR/FARM ASSISTANT

YOUTH FACILITATOR/FARM ASSISTANT

Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago, IL Job Details Temporary | Part-time From $19.75 an hour 20 hours ago Qualifications Food production Customer communication Teamwork Outdoor work High school diploma or GED Meal preparation Cleaning Working with youth Full Job Description

YOUTH FACILITATOR/FARM ASSISTANT

Job Description Classification:

Non-exempt Status:

Temporary, Part-time Location:

Chicago, IL.

Reports to:

Director, Urban Farm

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Chicago Lights Urban Farm is a ¾ acre farm in the near north community of Chicago. The Farm is dedicated to cultivating a thoughtful and engaged community of youth and adults through economic and educational opportunities, hands-on learning, and access to fresh, local, and sustainably grown produce. The Farm provides a sanctuary for community members, grows a variety of annual and perennial crops, offers programming for youth, distributes produce to the community, hosts volunteers, holds several community events, and provides space for community gardening.

POSITION

The Youth Facilitator/Farm Assistant will work with the Youth Program Manager and Farm Team to help facilitate the Harvesting Futures program, a high school job readiness program in an urban farm setting. This position will lead youth through a variety of tasks such as cooking, farmwork, customer service training/practice at the farmstand, beautification projects, and more. Outside of working with high school youth, the position will also be expected to harvest/prepare produce for markets and complete other farm tasks and projects when needed. In addition, participate in community outreach activities and work with volunteers. The Farm Assistant will be an integral part of the Farm, as they will be working alongside staff, youth program participants, and volunteers. They will need to be comfortable working with people of all ages and need to be flexible and able to work in a dynamic, outdoor, and changing environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Farm Assistant will work with the Youth Program Manager and Farm team to assist with:

• Gather supplies for daily activities, set up outdoor program spaces, and clean up at the end of each day for Harvesting Futures
• Lead program activities with youth which include farmwork and site beautification
• Create simple recipes, cook meals with teens, and lead discussions during/after meal prep around budgeting, meal planning, and shopping lists
• Help facilitate SEL-based discussions and co-lead peace circles focused on reflection, communication, and community-building
• Assist with direct seeding and transplanting crops, weeding, and other farm tasks as needed
• Help to run the weekly, on-site farm stand by harvesting and processing the produce, addressing customer service-related issues, managing money, and breaking down/cleaning up the farmstand with youth while programming is in session and when the program is over
• Participate in community outreach activities and work with volunteers when needed
• Provide trauma informed care lens to all, ensuring that program environments and interactions are safe, inviting, and demonstrate best practice.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma required
• Experience with working with youth is required and some experience with gardening and/or urban farming is recommended.
• Strong communication skills.
• Comfortable working in a team setting.
• Strong work ethics and judgment, apparent collaboration skills, and commitment to Chicago Lights' mission.
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice : Recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in shaping disparities, and work toward amplifying community voices to advocate for equity.

Recognize how your own identities show up in the work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.

SCHEDULE

This is a temporary position anticipated to run from mid-June through the end of September, with a schedule of up to 20 hours per week. The assignment end date may be adjusted based on business needs. Availability to work Saturday shifts is required.

COMPENSATION

• $19.75 per hour
• 1 full share of vegetables weekly from June-September.
• Reimbursement of authorized supplies and materials.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment and physical requirements described here represent those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform essential functions.

• Flexible availability. Able to shift gears quickly and efficiently.
• Physical and mental endurance
• the ability to lift 40 pounds.[SC1]
• Stand for long periods of time and work outside in any weather.
• Smoke
• and drug (illegal or recreational
• free environment.

Fourth Church/Chicago Lights offer accessibility in any off-site location that we have control of, but some of them may not be fully accessible EEO Statement Fourth Presbyterian Church and Chicago Lights are committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, without regard to race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status or familial status, veteran status, military status, source of income, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law. Fourth Church and Chicago Lights seek to build and retain a diverse staff and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated as a respected and valued member of the team. Fourth Church and Chicago Lights are committed to elevating the voices of individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to women and people of color, Native people, immigrants and refugees, low-income people, LGBTQ+, and transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people, people with disabilities, and accordingly encourage qualified individuals from all communities to apply.

Pay:

From $19.75 per hour People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location:

In person