Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from BUILD Chicago
Job overview
The Austin Grown Specialist at BUILD Chicago supports urban gardening efforts by engaging youth and community members to teach gardening skills and promote sustainability and food justice.
Responsibilities and impact
The role involves maintaining garden plots, facilitating gardening education workshops, engaging with the community, managing gardening resources, promoting gardening benefits, and collaborating with staff and partners to integrate gardening programs.
Compensation and benefits
The position offers a 401(k) plan with 2% match, paid vacation, and wellness days as benefits.
Experience and skills
Candidates need a minimum high school diploma or GED, at least 2 years of gardening experience, knowledge of sustainable gardening and food justice, strong communication skills, and physical ability to perform gardening tasks; experience with youth and community groups is preferred.
Work environment and culture
BUILD Chicago values empathy, passion, persistence, and innovation, fostering a supportive environment focused on community impact and youth development.
Company information
BUILD Chicago is a respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization founded in 1969, serving Chicago's West Side communities.
Team overview
The specialist will report directly to the Manager of Austin Grown and work closely with staff, volunteers, and local partners in a collaborative team environment.
Job location and travel
The job is based in Chicago's West Side with work conducted both indoors and outdoors, requiring physical activity in various weather conditions.
Unique job features
This role uniquely combines urban gardening with community engagement and education to promote sustainability and food justice in a high-impact nonprofit setting.
Company overview
BUILD Chicago is a non-profit organization established in 1969, dedicated to gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development on Chicago's West Side. The organization focuses on helping vulnerable youth escape gangs and violence through various programs and community support initiatives. BUILD Chicago generates revenue through sponsorships, donations, and grants, working with individuals and organizations to strengthen youth and communities. The organization has a significant history of addressing systemic obstacles faced by young people in some of Chicago's most challenged neighborhoods.
How to land this job
Position your resume to highlight your hands-on gardening experience, community engagement skills, and passion for sustainability and food justice, aligning with BUILD Chicago's mission and core values of empathy, passion, persistence, and innovation.
Emphasize your ability to teach gardening techniques, facilitate workshops, manage garden maintenance, and collaborate with diverse community groups and local organizations, as these are key responsibilities for the Austin Grown Specialist role.
Apply through multiple channels including BUILD Chicago's corporate careers page and LinkedIn to maximize your application visibility and increase your chances of being noticed.
Connect with current employees or team members in the Austin Grown division on LinkedIn to learn more about the role and BUILD’s culture; use ice breakers like commenting on recent community projects or asking about their favorite sustainable gardening practices.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'urban agriculture,' 'community gardening,' 'sustainability practices,' 'food justice,' 'community engagement,' and 'gardening education' to ensure your resume passes screening filters.
Leverage Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate tailored applications, identify multiple application portals, and find LinkedIn contacts to network with, allowing you to focus more on preparing for interviews and refining your skills.
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