Youth Programming Specialist Jobs

Summary

Chicago Lights Urban Farm is a ¾ acre farm in the near north community of Chicago. We grow roughly 5,000 lbs. of produce a year while providing programming to cultivate thoughtful and engaged communities of youth and adults through economic opportunities, hands-on learning, and access to local and sustainably grown produce. We strive to create a sanctuary that provides for the community by offering youth programming, distributing produce to and holding educational events for our neighbors, and providing space for community gardening.

Position Summary

The Youth Programming Specialist is a part-time, seasonal position at Chicago Lights Urban Farm responsible for making sure that our students’ day-to-day experience is safe, fun, educational, nurturing, and empowering. They will develop and lead programming with the Director to be offered during our After School Matters, 4-H, and other youth-oriented activities.

Schedule

Mid-June through mid-August. Programming is Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m.–3:15 p.m., 20–25 hours per week.

Job Responsibilities

• Deliver and help develop a curriculum with lessons in urban agriculture, food, environmental justice, and professional and personal development.
• Assist farm staff in other community engagement efforts throughout the season.
• Gather all supplies for daily activities, set up program spaces, lead program activities, perform basic administrative tasks (attendance, permission slips, etc.), and clean up at the end of each day.
• It is impossible to convey every single task into one job description. As the role evolves over time, this job description will be adjusted accordingly.
• Help build relationships with neighborhood families and assist in recruiting participants for programming.
• Deepen the student’s knowledge of core principles of urban farming, highlighting strong connections between the natural world and our society and keeping the students engaged within our active, outdoor farm environment.
• Use the S.P.I.R.I.T. principles of hospitality when interacting with visitors, guests, members, and staff of Fourth Presbyterian Church and Chicago Lights.
• Attend staff meetings as required.
• Provide trauma-informed care to all, ensuring that program environments and interactions are safe, inviting and demonstrating best practices.
• Partner with the Director to build a foundation of trust, respect, and positive communication between staff and students.

Qualifications and Experience

• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, handle pressure well, and have a sense of humor.
• Flexible, self-directed, organized, and goal oriented.
• • Previous teaching experience or experience working with kids in an educational after-school or community-based youth program.
• Strong work ethic, judgment, collaboration skills, and commitment to Chicago Lights’ mission.
• Experience, skill, abilities, or knowledge with any of the following: farm-based education, Farm-to-table practices, gardening, outdoor education or wilderness experience, social and environmental justice, crafts, arts, music, culinary arts, nutrition, environmental science, natural history, ecology, community building, and conflict resolution
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice: Recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in shaping disparities and work toward amplifying community voices to advocate for equity. Recognize how your own identities show up in work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.
• Act as a mentor to a job-training teenage intern by modeling positive workplace behaviors such as promptness, positivity, follow-through, and strong communication.
• Comfortable and enjoy working with traditionally disenfranchised 13–18-year-old youth.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 35 pounds at times.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform the essential functions.

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. The Employee is regularly required to communicate effectively via computer, via phone, and in person.
• Fourth aims for accessibility in any off-site location that we have control of, but some of them may not be fully accessible.
• Fourth Presbyterian Church/Chicago Light’s office is located in downtown Chicago.
• If the current health conditions dictate, must be able to participate in online virtual communications, including email, video conferencing, and other online tools used to facilitate virtual office culture and work sharing.
• Smoke- and drug (illegal or recreational)-free environment.

COVID-19 Considerations

In the spirit of caring for one another and our community, please note that upon accepting an offer of employment from Fourth Presbyterian Church or Chicago Lights, you will be required to share proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. This requirement is subject to accommodation in compliance with applicable laws.

EEO Statement
Fourth Presbyterian Church is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees, without regard to race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity and/or expression, age, creed, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status or familial status, veteran status, military status, source of income, political affiliation or any other factor protected by law. We intend that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity, and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

• Email subject line should read Your name/Youth Program Specialist /Chicago Lights
• Interested candidates should: (1) email their resume to [email protected]
• Fourth Presbyterian Church/Chicago Lights seeks to fill this position as soon as possible and will work actively to build a diverse pool of candidates.
• No phone calls, please.