Human Resources Manager, Windy City Harvest

Chicago Botanic Garden•Glencoe, IL

48d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Human Resources manager serves as the primary Human Resources (HR) leader and trusted employee relations partner for Windy City Harvest located at the Farm on Ogden in Chicago. The Farm on Ogden, a multiuse facility located in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood, supports and sustains a healthy urban community by bringing food, health, and jobs together in one location. Windy City Harvest, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s urban agriculture program, in partnership with Lawndale Christian Health Center, takes a “whole person” approach to community health and wellness. The Human Resources manager is responsible for supporting the day-to-day HR functions relating to all phases of the employee life cycle activities, such as recruitment, onboarding, employee data maintenance, employee relations, workers’ compensation, training coordination, and confidential record maintenance for Windy City Harvest. The person in this role will serve as the first point of HR contact for new hires for Windy City Harvest. Reporting to the AVP, Talent Acquisition and Human Resources, this position takes full ownership of Windy City Harvest’s employee relations and partners closely with program leadership to address the unique needs of a mission-driven, community-facing workforce.

Requirements

At least five years of progressive HR generalist experience required, with an emphasis on employee relations and recruitment; experience in a nonprofit setting preferred.
Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in human resources or related field; HR Certification a plus.
At least three years of full-cycle recruiting experience and experience with benefit plans with the knowledge to answer benefit-related questions for employees and applicants.
Proven ability to build trust and credibility with employees at all levels, particularly in diverse, community-based, or transitional workforce environments.
Strong working knowledge of federal, Illinois, and Chicago employment laws and compliance (e.g. FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, Chicago Fair Workweek, etc.).
Exceptional emotional intelligence, active listening, and conflict de-escalation skills; ability to remain calm, impartial, and compassionate under pressure.
Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) required.
Proficiency in virtual meeting technology such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
Adobe Pro and HRIS proficiency required; ADP preferred.
Strong attention to detail, follow-through, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Strong written/verbal communication skills; demonstrate good listening skills; able to communicate status on process with colleagues, keep team members informed, and respond clearly to employee inquiries.
Working knowledge of workers’ compensation, benefits administration, as well as leave management and compensation.
Independent and organized work style; ability to make independent decisions and regularly suggest ways to improve services and processes.
Effectively manage time and prioritize workload; assume and manage multiple projects or tasks, adapt to change, and consistently meet deadlines.
High degree of integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Responsibilities

Serve as the lead employee relations advisor for Windy City Harvest; act as the first point of contact and trusted resource for all employees, supervisors, and program participants on workplace concerns, conflict resolution, performance management, policy interpretation, and disciplinary matters.
Independently manage and resolve routine employee relations issues; conduct thorough, impartial investigations into concerns (harassment, discrimination, policy violations, etc.) in partnership with the AVP, Talent Acquisition and Human Resources, as needed.
Coach and provide guidance to managers on constructive feedback, progressive discipline, and performance improvement plans.
Partner with Windy City Harvest leadership to develop and deliver training on topics such as respect in the workplace, conflict resolution, supervisory skills, and cultural competency.
Full-cycle recruitment for all Windy City Harvest positions with a focus on inclusive hiring practices and building diverse talent pipelines in the Lawndale community and beyond.
Own onboarding and the new-hire experience for Windy City Harvest staff, ensuring a welcoming, thorough, and equity-focused integration into the organization.
Administer leave management, accommodations (ADA), and benefits inquiries for Windy City Harvest employees.
Administer workers compensation for the Garden.
Maintain accurate employee data, records, and compliance documentation in HRIS, currently ADP Workforce Now and E-Verify; run background checks and ensure I-9 compliance.
Continuously evaluate and improve HR processes with a lens toward accessibility, equity, and employee experience.
Collaborate on Garden-wide HR projects and serve as the vital link between Windy City Harvest and HR in Glencoe.
Work with and support the HR department on special projects and tasks as needed.