Title: Windy City Harvest Field Supervisor

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Manager of Workforce Development

Year-Round, Full Time

Supervises: 5 to 10 farm production crew members

Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

2026 A Guide to Your Benefits JP.pdf

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: 

The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest is looking for dedicated field supervisors to work with our transitional jobs and workforce development program. Field supervisors are part of a collaborative team that works closely with all members of our Windy City Harvest program and operations teams.

The Windy City Harvest Corps program employs 30 to 40 justice-involved individuals and veterans for two 14-week cohorts each year in closely mentored, full-time, paid transitional jobs. Our goal is to support our graduates in finding full-time, long-term employment.  

WCH seeks field supervisors who are prepared for hard work and are self-motivated with high energy to train and educate participants by working with them side-by-side. Experience working with adults returning to or entering the workforce is preferred. The ideal candidate for these positions is well versed in leading others and enforcing workplace standards.  

Field supervisors will work on multiple Windy City Harvest sites with farm coordinators to train Corps participants in workplace skills related to local food systems. The field supervisors also assist with job development classes. Corps programming generally runs from April through November, with field supervisors supporting crews four days a week at farm sites and dedicating one day each week to classroom-based learning.

In addition to supporting the Corps program, field supervisors will also lead programming and operational aspects of the other Windy City Harvest workforce development programs including the Apprenticeship and production assistants.

For more information on the Corps program, please visit:    

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/programs/corps

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

Participant Supervision

Supervise five to ten Windy City Harvest Corps participants daily, ensuring adherence to workplace standards, including coaching and feedback, to reinforce standards and employability skills.
Document performance in required systems, applying program accountability as written in policy and team standards.
Support in supervising other Windy City Harvest participants as needed.
Oversee timekeeping and approve timecards, ensuring accurate payroll and grant compliance.

Workforce Development & Training

Deliver assigned workforce development programming, including scheduled classes, study hall, and Roots of Success.
Reinforce connections between farm-based skills and participants’ long-term employment goals.
Provide hands-on coaching to support employment readiness, placement, and retention, including soft skill development, job-readiness activities (resumes, interview prep, etc.) and connection resources for employment.
Conduct one-on-one weekly check-ins with crew members to support employment goals.

Recruitment Support

Assist Workforce Development manager and Outreach coordinator with participant recruitment activities including partner outreach, work shadows, info sessions, and onboarding, and providing feedback to support hiring decisions.
Participate in on-site visits, tours, or outreach events as requested.

Farm Operations

Provide hands-on guidance and work alongside Corps participants, production assistants, and apprentices to complete farm-site tasks and meet production goals including planting, weeding, harvesting, post-harvest handling, composting, and site maintenance.
Demonstrate best practices in market gardening and train participants in diversified vegetable production.
Follow established crop plans, task lists, and production schedules.
Give weekly safety talks. Complete required production and safety logs to meet food and safety standards.

Qualifications 
Our ideal candidate will have the following: 

Available to work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with flexibility for site assignments, weather-related schedule changes, and operational needs
One year of experience gardening, farming, landscaping, working outdoors, or in the local food system   
Experience working with adults returning to or entering the workforce is ideal
Understanding of and commitment to the model of transitional jobs   
Demonstrated experience in leading others, enforcing workplace standards and providing constructive verbal and written feedback
Strong relationship-building skills with team members, program participants, and employment partners  
A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record   
Commitment to being a supportive resource for program participants, community residents and project partners    
Excellent written and typed communication skills; strong professional reliability
Willing to work with all departments and/or at all farm sites depending on the operational needs

Physical Demands:  

This is an urban farm setting. Staff must be able to work on their feet all day in all weather conditions performing manual labor. This will involve frequent lifting, standing, walking, bending, farm tool usage, machinery operation, and speaking to public, staff and program participants. Staff is also required to lift, push, and pull items up to 50 pounds. Staff is expected to work in multiple locations.  

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, the 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.

Windy City Harvest Field Supervisor - Chicago, IL