You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

Wellness Associate

Garfield Park Community Council
Email

Wellness Associate Job Description

 

The Garfield Park Neighborhood Market and Garden Network are projects of the Garfield Park Community Council (GPCC). GPCC’s Community Wellness Initiative prioritizes improving health outcomes and bringing health resources to families on Chicago’s West Side, with a focus on food security and green space improvements. The wellness programming includes supporting community gardeners with the Garden Network, sharing and selling gardener’s harvested produce through the Garfield Park Neighborhood Market at The Hatchery, and operations and record-keeping for these projects. Additionally, GPCC works with local partners to develop a new community fruit orchard and improve health outcomes specifically along the Madison and Pulaski corridors.  

 

Wellness Associate Position

We are currently seeking a Wellness Associate to carry out day-to-day operations of the Neighborhood Market, Garden Network and administrative responsibilities. This position is hybrid, though the Wellness Associate will be expected to work at a variety of locations across East and West Garfield Park, including gardens, the Hatchery and the GPCC office. The Wellness Associate supports the work of and reports directly to the Wellness Director. 

 

Compensation & Hours: This position is a Full-Time position, to commence in April 2025. Position is a Full-Time position with a $35k - $45k salary range to be negotiated based on experience at the time of hire. Due to the frequent weekend, and occasional evening hours required to perform this job, this position requires a flexible schedule. Company paid health insurance and 401k are other benefits for this position.

 

Duties—in season 

  • Manage logistics for and work at the Neighborhood Market, held twice a month on the second and fourth Saturdays from June through October at the Hatchery, and additional events and pop-up markets, as needed
    • Arrive first, leave last.
    • Manage staff and volunteers through set-up, tear down, and to address issues as they arise
    • Create market layouts and direct vendors to their stalls.
    • Work with Wellness Director to ensure all rules and regulations and safety protocols are followed
  • Set up and Manage Garden Network stall at Neighborhood market and pop-ups.
    • Responsible for operating or overseeing cash and POS machine
    • Administer SNAP/EBT and Match Incentives programs
    • Provide information about produce and answer questions about the network and incentive programs.
  • Act as liaison to the market's governing body, providing accounting and performance reports, including harvest amounts, produce sales, market statistics, vendor sales and reimbursement information.
  • Support the Wellness Director and Director of Development and Communications in vendor and volunteer recruitment, communication and enrollment.
  • Recruit, schedule, train, and manage event crew personnel, volunteers, and Youth Garden Corp together with the Wellness Director for garden projects, Playstreets, and market days.
  • Assist the Wellness Director in crop planning of and provide assistance with maintenance and harvest of “Market Bed” at Member gardens.
  • Harvest and wash produce from Garden Network for market days (Fridays before markets and as needed)
    • Create produce lists and price items
    • Maintain best practices and create procedures
    • Maintain Wash and Pack Station at the Hatchery
  • Assist the Wellness Director with external partners, facilitate food safety and garden skills training for Members and Vendors
  • Assist the Wellness Director with developing relationships with active and potential Garden Network partners to expand the capacity of the Garden Network and attract other related businesses to Garfield Park
  • Facilitate Garden Network Agreements between GPCC and Garden Network partners
  • Assist the Wellness Director with updating safety plans with GPCC, GPCC partners, and city departments
  • Additional responsibilities as requested. 

 

Administrative Duties—in season 

  • Support the work of the Wellness Director by documenting work with editorial content, photos, and other information to be used for promotional material, social media, and reporting.
  • Track reporting and have the ability to create templates as needed.
  • ​​ Assist the Wellness Director with developing and supports other initiatives to support the GPCC’s Community Wellness Initiatives.

 

Duties—off season

  • Assist the Wellness Director with coordinating and work indoor markets, as scheduled.
  • Assist the Wellness Director with developing evaluations and carry out annual Needs Assessments for both the Market and Garden Network to identify successes and opportunities for improvement
  • Assist the Wellness Director with maintaining updated list of Garden Network sites and leaders
    • Assist the Wellness Director with market opportunities at dormant urban agriculture sites to new growers and organizations looking for land.
  • Contribute to communications and program development, including special events planning

 

Administrative Duties—off season

  • Assist the Wellness Director with research and share opportunities and trainings with Garden Network members and community.
  • Assist the Wellness Director with preparation for the upcoming market season, including creating or updating market notebook, developing templates for record-keeping, setting schedules, timelines, meetings and organizing volunteers.
  • Assist the Wellness Director with recruiting vendors, volunteers and other assistance for the markets.
  • Participate in off season markets (Dec. -May)
  • Other duties and responsibilities will be added as needed (in-season & off season)

 

Qualifications - Required 

  • One year of experience in urban agriculture, crop planning, records keeping, understanding of harvest procedures and GAP best practices
  • Self-motivated with strong analytical, writing, and editing skills
  • Ability to multitask, think creatively, and meet deadlines
  • Computer savvy, knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and social media platforms
  • Ability to work nights and weekends as needed (up to 3 weekends a month during market season)
  • Valid Driver’s License and access to vehicle (preferred)
  • Diplomatic, willing to listen, and interested in building relationships within the community
  • Ability to lift 25- 50 pounds

 

Qualifications - Preferred 

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Familiarity with Garfield Park and other neighborhoods on the West Side of Chicago
  • Passionate about local agriculture, economies, and food systems
  • Prior experience in retail and/or farmers market operations
  • Some financial knowledge helpful, especially bookkeeping
  • Willingness to work in the elements (heat, rain, cold, temperatures, etc.)
  • Prior experience with Little Green Light, Salesforce, Manage My Market, or other database management software


 

To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and related references to phyllis@gpcommunitycouncil.org. 

No phone calls please.

 

 Garfield Park Community Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer