Facilities Manager, Windy City Harvest - Chicago - Chicago Botanic Garden

Description

Title: Facilities Manager, Windy City Harvest

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Operations Director, Windy City Harvest

Year-Round Full-time

Supervises: Facilities Assistant

Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

• 2026 A Guide to Your Benefits

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate's qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate's salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual's contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview:

The Windy City Harvest Facilities Manager is part of the Windy City Harvest (WCH) team. They will work closely with the operations team and all members of our urban agriculture programs. The ideal candidate is comfortable managing shared-used facilities. The Facilities Manager oversees operational facilities, including custodial, maintains vendor and site maintenance relationships at Farm on Ogden, and supports facilities management for the rest of WCH farms repairs. This role is responsible for managing all of WCH vehicle fleet in collaboration with maintenance department at the main campus, overseeing WCH department-wide site tool inventories, support with WCH site production needs relating to production, repairs, irrigation, sales and distribution of over 100,000 lbs. of produce from over 12 sites annually, and supports department production and earned revenue goals.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

Operations:

• Setting and enforcing departmental equipment protocols, including WCH fleet management
• Manage aggregated WCH tool inventories, assist staff with container organization and train in proper tool maintenance. Organize maintenance and repair logistics for tools and equipment.
• Manages ticketing system for facilities at WCH.
• Oversee the maintenance of irrigation systems properly working at all WCH sites, including landscaping areas, working collaboratively with other managers, site coordinators and growers.
• Oversee facility operations of Farm on Ogden food hub - aggregation room, greenhouses, landscaping, custodial, outdoor farm, aquaponic system, and general repairs. Work collaboratively with staff based out of Farm on Ogden and meet regularly with team to foster efficiency.
• Maintain operational vendor and maintenance relationships for Farm on Ogden and support team with billing and budget tracking.
• Serve as the primary point of contact to manage contracts with vendors and land use partners to ensure efficient use of resources, collaboratively managing maintenance schedules with fellow managers.
• Monitor and oversee site security system at Farm on Ogden; maintain a good relationship with vendors, security team at Glencoe campus and community partners.
• Support with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) compliance in the aggregation room at Farm on Ogden.
• Repairs and upkeep to wash pack areas at all sites and commercial kitchen, along with protocols of compliance at all WCH sites
• Make deliveries and transport produce, equipment, and staff as necessary.
• Support all WCH sites in the maintenance of upholding site aesthetic standards.

Staff Supervision, and Management

• Train and manage Facilities Assistant
• Enforcing WCH staff standards of performance and support direct reports to feel empowered to uphold standards.
• Review and approve payroll for all reports, ensuring payroll best practices are being followed.
• Report out updates and support direct reports to effectively communicate and report out at weekly meetings.
• Recruiting, hiring, and onboarding staff as appropriate.
• Support with management in other areas as needed and is capable of training individuals with varying levels of work experience.
• Organize staff training for all department protocols including equipment management and site facility maintenance.
• Maintains good relationships with community partners and residents. Serve as a resource for community partners, lead tours as needed.
• Make decisions appropriate for level of responsibility with self-awareness; knowing personal strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback and is open to constructive feedback as an opportunity for improvement. Builds capacity in program participants to operate similarly.

Qualifications
Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Three years of sustainable farming and management experience.
• Familiarity with all aspects of maintaining sustainable farm sites to designated organization standards and food safety compliance.
• A valid driver's license with a clean driving record and at least two years of experience operating large vehicles.
• The ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively to coordinate site production as part of a dedicated urban agriculture training team.
• Detail-oriented, flexible, dependable, and has punctual work ethic.
• Experience following strict best practices for post-harvest handling and food safety standards.
• Experience following and tracking budgets accurately with Excel.
• One year of experience in facilities maintenance or equivalent related functions.
• Knowledge of OSHA and other environmental regulations.
• Knowledge of general maintenance methods, operating requirements, and safety precautions related to facilities management.
• Proficiency with repair tools and techniques.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to speak with all levels of employees, guests, vendors and team members and the ability to communicate effectively via email, phone, virtual video meeting, in-person, etc.
• Able to efficiently use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and Outlook email system.

Physical Demands: This position is based at an urban farm and involves a combination of indoor office work and outdoor activities in various weather conditions. Essential functions may include extended periods of sitting or standing; walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding; use of office equipment such as computers, telephones, and copiers/scanners; and use of farm tools, small machinery, and post-harvest handling equipment. The role includes interaction with the public, staff, and program participants and may require lifting, pushing, or pulling items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.