Resource Employee -Instructor, Windy City Harvest (Chicago)

Chicago Botanic Garden • Chicago, IL

3d

About The Position

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 [https://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/apprenticeship].

Requirements

• 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
• Ability to submit official college transcripts to City Colleges of Chicago.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees