Position Title: Urban Agriculture Program Manager
Dept & Initiative: Urban Ag Department 11
Reports to: Urban Agriculture Director
Status: Full Time Salaried Permanent
Schedule: M-F 9am-5pm
Gary Comer Youth Center: Having opened its doors in June 2006, the state-of-the-art Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC) offers positive extracurricular alternatives in a welcoming and safe environment. The mission is to provide the support for all of our youth to graduate from high school, prepared to pursue college and careers. Located on Chicagos South Side, the Gary Comer Youth Center draws its primary membership from the youth residing on the South Side of Chicago with a focus on Grand Crossing residents. GCYC is the oldest and largest institution sitting on the Comer Education Campus which includes our organizational partners Gary Comer College Prep High School, the South Shore Drill Team and Gary Comer Middle School. For more information, please visit: www.garycomeryouthcenter.org.
Comer Education Campus: With a comprehensive approach to education and youth development, the Comer Education Campus is devoted to guiding young people to and through college and into adult life. The campus constitutes a unique partnership between Gary Comer Youth Center, Gary Comer College Prep, Gary Comer Middle School, and the college success initiative UtmostU. The campus serves over 2,000 youth from across Chicagos South Side, offering out-of-school time enrichment, academic enhancement, and college success programs. Working with best-in-class partner organizations, the Comer Education Campus empowers young people with the tools they need for post-secondary and life success. For more information, please visit: http://comereducationcampus.org/
Position Summary
The Urban Agriculture Program Manager serves as a leader of the innovative urban agriculture initiatives at the Gary Comer Youth Center, developing opportunities for future leaders in areas such as community development, food access, environmental and social justice, and broader STEM fields. The Program Manager links Urban Agriculture programming and youth participants with other Comer Education Campus (CEC) programs and resources, broadening and deepening impact to fulfill the GCYC mission. The Program Manager is responsible for tracking youth progress and outcomes in collaboration with other program leaders in the Urban Agriculture department and as a direct leader of enrichment and work-readiness programs working alongside youth and young adults in the CEC network of gardens, including an 8,600 square foot intensive rooftop garden, an environmental education garden, an indoor hydroponics operation, and a 1.75 acre urban farm with hoop houses, annual vegetables, perennials, fruit trees, and more.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Coordinate Urban Agriculture youth program participant involvement with GCYC Youth Advisors, College Preparation, UtmostU, Youth Employment, and other collaborative programs, facilitating access to these programs and tracking Urban Agriculture youth contact and progress.
Lead collaboration with Gary Comer College Prep high school science teachers and STEM club.
Coordinate the GCYC FFA and Jr.MANRRS chapters, conducting weekly meetings with youth leaders, attending required advisor meetings and trainings, and establishing connections between GCYC and external agriculture education partners.
Manage Part Time instructors, program related interns, and contracted instructional partners.
Track metrics for all Urban Agriculture out-of-school time programs, including Green Explorers, Green Teens, FFA, and MANRRS.
Analyze pre and posttests, coordinate administration of required surveys, and track enrollment and attendance.
Serve as point of contact for all Urban Agriculture youth stipend matters, collecting and maintaining all required paperwork, submitting invoice requests, and overseeing distribution of stipend checks.
Instruct groups of 10 to 20 teens during school and out of school.
Contribute to the development of urban agriculture curricula and lead program activities based in the CEC network of gardens.
Work both independently and with youth to lead urban agriculture tasks including plant propagation, site preparation/maintenance, planting/transplanting, weed management, integrated pest and disease management, irrigation, harvesting, washing and packing, distribution, and food safety.
Lead volunteers, groups, tours, workshops and demonstrations.
Miscellaneous:
Responsible for maintaining a physically and emotionally safe environment to further ensure proper youth supervision and managing conduct issues and incidents.
Attends required staff meetings and trainings.
Works with other staff to execute effective outreach, recruitment and retention strategies.
Responsible for accurate data collection and data entry for grant and program compliance.
Supports the mission of GCYC.
Works collaboratively in a team setting serving the needs of youth.
Is committed to the safety and development of all GCYC members.
Takes on other duties as needed.
Serves as a role model for youth and community.
Abides by the employee handbook and established GCYC policies and procedures.
Minimum of five years professional work experience, with a minimum of 2 years working directly with school-aged youth.
Minimum of two years experience as instructor of urban agriculture or related field in-school or out-of-school classes.
Experience leading conservation and stewardship activities with school-aged youth, teens preferred.
Knowledge of local flora and fauna, to include trees, shrubs, perennial plants.
Significant experience growing food in an urban environment preferred.
Effective and accountable project management experience required.
Education & Skill Requirements
Bachelors degree in agriculture education, environmental science/studies, sustainability or related field required.
Core Competencies
Ability to lead and collaborate with internal and external professionals to provide continuous innovation that serves the GCYC mission.
Must possess genuine care and concern for youth especially pre-teens and teens.
Program area management skills that are engaging, non-oppressive and age appropriate.
Strong project management and organizational skills. Must be able to initiate and finish projects.
Able to communicate effectively with youth, co-workers, stakeholders and families in a respectful and culturally competent manner via written and verbal communication.
Must enjoy working with teams but can also work independently.
Enjoys being the leader but is also confident enough to take directions from others.
Must be able to take initiative and problem solve. Must be a creative thinker.
Demonstrates strong accuracy in all areas of work.
Must possess adaptive vitality.
Demonstrates understanding of the positive youth development philosophy.
Demonstrates an understanding of guidance and discipline principles & conflict resolution strategies.
Must demonstrate cultural competency, dedication to working with youth, families and community members in our care.
Must have basic computer literacy skills including Microsoft Office, independent use of the internet and ability to learn and properly utilize software systems.
Physical Work Requirements & Environment:
The GCYC environment is consistently bustling with youth and community members. The Centers work is fast paced and varied. Our work is done on site where our youth and families are. Therefore, it is required that team members meet these requirements:
Have the ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
Must be able to lift 25 pounds and work outdoors in all types of weather. During the growing seasons, up to 75 percent of the Urban Agriculture Program Managers time will be spent working outdoors in the GCYC network of gardens.
The ability to use garden tools and equipment is needed.
Schedule may also include some evenings, weekends, and Chicago Public Schools holidays, professional development days, and winter/spring/summer breaks.