JOB VACANCY

Jackson Park Terrace Head Gardener

The JPT Head Gardener will be responsible for providing hoop house gardening and urban farm instruction to the residents of the Jackson Park Terrace Apartments. The Head Gardener will be hired by and will report to the 61st Street Farmers Market Manager.

The responsibilities of the Head Gardener include the following:

  • Gardening/Urban Farming 

    • Carry out organic-approved plant maintenance, including maintenance and planting of fruits and vegetables - assuring the cultivation of plants for course-related garden demonstration, produce, community education, and crop donation are treated according to instruction by Market Manager.

    • Recommend and maintain adequate garden supplies and equipment for annual budgeting. Assist with picking up materials and supplies when needed.

    • Communicate status of plants to Farmers Market Manager weekly including: watering needs, health of transplants, seed germination, pest control updates and other details.

    • Maintain area around beds (perennial/native plants) to create a pleasing environment

  • Food Education

    • Periodically Assisting Farmers Market Manager with instructing a garden-to-plate program with elementary students, including in-school gardening classes and family open-house events.

    • Periodically Assisting Farmers Market Manager with adult food education through tastings, gardening, and urban farming days at the Jackson Park Terrace garden and other events.

  • Community Outreach

    • Building and maintaining relationships with the residents of the Jackson Park Terrace Buildings through maintenance of weekly communication, signage, and verbal instruction to neighbors.

  • Volunteer Management

    • Assisting with volunteer recruitment for gardening season through reporting of information to Farmers Market Manager via volunteer sign up sheets.

  • Administrative and Continued Training

    • Weighing and logging produce harvested by residents or self during the growing season.

    • Filling out Daily Activity Log to track watering and activities carried out through the week.

    • Attend weekly in-person meetings to review Gardening Plan for the week with Market Manager.

Criteria and qualifications of preferred candidates.

  • A positive upbeat attitude and willingness to be flexible.

  • Able to work with a sense of urgency.

  • Must be self-motivated and able to take responsibility for all farm activities.

  • Weather will not inhibit your work

  • Valid driver’s license

  • Comfortable working with and around children with no history of offenses against youth.

  • Be able to meet the physical demands of the job (carrying heavy equipment and planters.  Setting up and taking down equipment, ability to lift 50lbs).

  • Be trustworthy and dependable.

  • Be a hard worker and motivated self starter.

  • Have a pleasant personality.

  • Be able to work independently and with a team.

  • Be a strong and dependable representative of the Experimental Station

WORK SCHEDULE: Part-time up to 20 hours a week, contractual, February - November. $18 - $20/ hour. Must be available on Saturdays to harvest produce for Jackson Park Terrace residents, work with volunteers and provide assistance to community gardeners. Availability on 2-3 weekdays to maintain garden and work with residents is also required. 

The main worksite will be in person at Jackson Park Terrace hoop house at 60th and Stoney Island, and sometime at 6100 South Blackstone Avenue and Carnegie Elementary School 1414 E 61st Place.

START DATE: April 4th or as soon as possible

If you have any questions or would like to apply, please email your resume to our 61st Street Farmers Market Manager, Emily, at emily@experimentalstation.org

The Experimental Station fosters a dynamic ecology of innovative educational and cultural programs, small businesses, and community initiatives. Since 2006, we have addressed local needs by building our programming and fostering, hosting, and sponsoring many other initiatives. Current programs include Blackstone Bicycle Works, Link Up Illinois, 61st Street Farmers Market, small business incubation, and public arts and cultural events.

It is the policy of Experimental Station to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.