Resource Employee -Instructor, Windy City Harvest (Chicago)

Title: Resource - Instructor, WCH Apprenticeship

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Program Director

Resource Part-time, anticipated to start in February 2026 for approximately 3 months, scheduled 10-19 hours per week

Supervises: Windy City Harvest Apprentices

Resource employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

• Wellness initiative benefit, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Retirement plan
• Garden membership - free to employees at Household Plus level
• Discounts to Garden Shop, Cafe, Garden-sponsored educational classes
• Employee events such as Orchid show, Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns, Lightscape employee & friends preview night

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate's qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate's salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual's contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview:

Join a dynamic team of dedicated agriculturalists and job trainers with a shared mission of fostering sustainable urban agriculture and workforce development. Windy City Harvest (WCH), an innovative urban agricultural job training program, is seeking a skilled instructor to lead our 9-month Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program. As an instructor, you will work closely with the WCH team and City Colleges of Chicago to deliver a supportive, hands-on learning experience for Apprenticeship students.

The Apprenticeship Instructor will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the sustainable urban agriculture training program. In partnership with the City Colleges of Chicago, this program offers a blend of classroom, lab, and field training at the Arturo Velasquez Institute (AVI) and Windy City Harvest farm sites. The curriculum is enhanced by a 12-week paid work experience at a WCH farm, equipping students with job readiness skills and hands-on industry experience.

Your role will involve mentoring students, providing career guidance, and supporting them in securing meaningful employment in urban agriculture. The ideal candidate brings extensive knowledge and experience in sustainable urban agriculture with a passion for workforce development and educating the next generation of farmers. The Apprenticeship Instructor should possess an innovative, entrepreneurial mindset, with a collaborative and community-focused approach to sustainable urban agriculture.

For more information on the WCH Apprenticeship program, visit: Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

Apprenticeship Course Instruction & Supervision (50%)

• Deliver the 9-month urban agriculture curriculum to a diverse class of 20-25 students.
• Conduct weekly classroom sessions (4 hours)
• Utilize interactive lectures, hands-on activities, and innovative technologies to engage students.
• Provide regular office hours, meaningful feedback, and connect students with resources.
• Coordinate guest lectures from industry experts and WCH colleagues.
• Manage course materials on Brightspace, including videos, resources, assignments, quizzes, and grade tracking.
• Demonstrate best practices in market gardening and diversified vegetable production.
• Collaborate with City Colleges of Chicago on the administrative and educational aspects of the WCH Apprenticeship, ensuring adherence to CCC's board rules, policies, and code of ethics.

Farm Site & Production Management at Arturo Valesquez Institute (AVI) (25%)

• Oversee student-led farm operations (including irrigation schedule) at AVI Farm, a 1/8-acre site with raised beds, a hoophouse, and a greenhouse
• Maintain inventory, track expenses, and ensure budget alignment.

Workforce Development & Mentorship (15%)

• Support Apprenticeship students and alumni in urban agriculture job placement.
• Collaborate with WCH Workforce Development Manager to track employment metrics.
• Establish a pipeline for student recruitment by building relationships with community partners and City Colleges of Chicago staff.
• Mentor and train WCH lab leaders and paid-work experience supervisors to cultivate an inclusive and productive environment.

Qualifications
Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in horticulture, agricultural science, ecological sciences, environmental sciences or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Ability to be onboarded as a City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Instructor
  1. Ability to submit official college transcripts to City Colleges of Chicago.
  2. Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check, employment and education verification, and a drug test.
• Two to five years of sustainable agriculture experience. Demonstrated experience and knowledge in crop planning and greenhouse production
• At least two years of experience teaching or training adults, preferably within a diverse educational or socioeconomic setting.

• Proven ability to build trust and foster collaborative relationships with program participants, employment partners, and recruitment partners
• Experience tracking production and programmatic data accurately
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite
• Strong communication skills across email, phone, and in-person interactions

• Creative and enthusiastic about experiential learning and student engagement.
• Effective at problem-solving, with resilience under pressure and adaptability to change.
• Demonstrates respect for diversity and models an inclusive, supportive environment.
• Committed to professional development and continuous improvement for themselves and students.

Physical Demands: Office, teaching, and farm setting. Frequent sitting, standing (4-8 hours at a time), walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers and scanners. Use of farm equipment such as wheelbarrows, seed blockers, shovels, hoes, etc. Frequent requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items more than 40 pounds.

Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.