Description:
BUILD, Inc. (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) is presently seeking a committed, self-motivated, and innovative individual to join our team. BUILD is a nationally respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization based on Chicago’s West Side. Since 1969, BUILD has worked to save lives and mentor young people who live in the city’s most challenged neighborhoods. We set the bar high and lead by example, putting our values of respect, collaboration, and open communication into everything we do. When you work at BUILD you make an important difference to the thousands of youth and families we serve.
At BUILD, our services are collectively aimed at helping our clients connect, overcome, and thrive. Austin Grown is an urban gardening program addressing food insecurity among youth and families in Chicago’s West Side Austin community by promoting access to organic food options. Austin Grown programs promote youth and community development, lessons related to nutrition and sustainability, and opportunities to work on transformative community projects. They work closely with the Enrichment Team to design and facilitate youth activities and opportunities for community-based organizations and volunteers to learn about farming, nature, and sustainability. The Manager of Austin Grown must be able to build strong relationships with young people and develop innovative programs that center youth voice and choice. The Manager set clear expectations for staff related to programming and farm operations. They provide coaching and guidance on how to create a safe, engaging, and welcoming farm environment. The Manager of Austin Grown develops curriculum materials and public presentations. The Manager of Austin Grown reports directly to the Director of Enrichment.
Our core Values: Empathy, Passion, Persistence and Innovation.
Youth Development + Community Engagement:
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Establish meaningful relationships with young people. Serve as a positive role model and provide consistent support and coaching to help youth overcome challenges and achieve personal and professional goals.
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Plan and facilitate daily programming, educational workshops, activities for special events, and other experiential learning opportunities that promote positive youth development and community engagement.
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Work closely with BUILD’s Enrichment Team and external partners to design experiences that allow youth to develop new skills, access meaningful opportunities, and build strong relationships with peers and supportive adults.
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Create hands-on opportunities for community members and volunteers to learn about farming, sustainability, healthy foods access, and environmental and social justice.
Program Operations:
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Understands and utilizes best practices related to farming. Use appropriate strategies for maintaining raised beds, intensively planted sites, extension methods for winter growing in a hoophouse and low tunnels, farm irrigation, pest management, composting, etc.
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Develops and maintains a seasonal farm production schedule.
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Maintains the chicken coop and ensures the health and safety of the flock.
Management + Supervision:
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Directly supervises Austin Grown Coordinator, interns, and apprentices. Establishes clear performance expectations and provides both individual and group supervision to ensure goals are reached. Completes regular performance reviews and works with staff to set and achieve professional goals.
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Provides consistent support and technical assistance to help staff, youth and community members deal with challenges. Provides consistent and age-appropriate coaching to promote growth and learning.
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Provides clear guidance and instructions regarding farm operations to staff, youth participants, community members and other volunteers working on the farm. Demonstrates and teaches appropriate weeding, mowing, harvesting, washing, record keeping, and greenhouse seeding/watering techniques to those working on the farm.
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Understands grant requirements and closely monitors deadlines, outcomes, and data collection. Responsible for ensuring program compliance with all internal and external requirements and performance standards,
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Manages budgets and resources. Ensures program costs are reasonable and uses resources wisely when planning programs and ordering supplies.
Community Outreach:
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Establishes and maintains positive relationships with schools, government agencies, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders. Actively pursues partnership opportunities and new opportunities to promote environmental justice in Chicago.
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Takes lead role in recruiting and onboarding youth participants for programming related to the farm. Works closely with youth and their parents/guardians to complete intake paperwork, explain program requirements, and address any challenges to participation in a timely manner.
Administration:
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Coordinate youth intake process, create organization system for student paperwork, monitor and report attendance.
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Monitor budgets related to the farm program. Ensures property/inventory is maintained, and orders supplies as needed.
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Participate in program evaluation and data collection processes to ensure high-quality service delivery.
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Complete all required reports and documentation in accordance with agency/programmatic policies and procedures.
Requirements:
- Must be an excellent role-model, passionate about youth mentoring, and able to establish healthy relationships with young people.
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Ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with a wide variety of constituents including youth, parents, community partners, teachers, and school leaders.
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Demonstrated commitment to working on a team and engaging in collaborative problem solving to meet the needs of a diverse community.
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Skilled at conflict resolution and able to successfully intervene in challenging situations.
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Familiarity with restorative justice practices and trauma-informed services.
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Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm, and interest in supporting the organization’s mission.
Experience and Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in education or related field required.
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Previous experience working with and developing programs for youth impacted by community violence, poverty, and systemic racism.
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Provides clear guidance and instructions regarding farm operations to staff, youth participants, community members and other volunteers working on the farm. Demonstrates and teaches appropriate weeding, mowing, harvesting, washing, record keeping, and greenhouse seeding/watering techniques to those working on the farm.
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Able to maintain a flexible schedule and work evening and weekend hours.
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Proficient with technology integration into daily program operations and evaluation systems.
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Demonstrated cultural competence as it relates to community-based work.
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Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills
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Ability to pass a criminal record and child abuse/neglect registry check.
Physical requirements:
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Ability to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 lbs
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Ability to work with and in proximity of equipment with moving mechanical parts
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Ability to perform physically demanding labor outdoors and tolerate varying weather conditions
Benefits:
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401(k) plan + 2% match
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Medical, Dental and Vision
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Life Insurance
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Paid Vacation
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Wellness Days
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Flexible Spending Account
This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
BUILD, Inc., does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training.
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.