Location: 33600 Pearl
Street, Kirkland IL. Approximately 70 miles west of Chicago, and 19 miles from
Rockford.
Walnut Grove
Vocational Farm (WGVF) is a program of DeKalb County Community Gardens (DCCG) a
nonprofit organization. The purpose of WGVF is to provide agriculture and
horticulture based training for individuals with special needs in a comfortable
and supportive integrated environment, so they will be prepared for meaningful
employment and involvement in the community. The farm has two 30’ x 100’
greenhouses, a one acre vegetable garden, a small orchard, and a 10 acre
restored prairie. The greenhouse produces bedding flowers, vegetable, and herb
plants in the spring, and mums in the fall. The one acre vegetable garden
provides vegetables for CSA boxes and donation to local food pantries.
Grower/Greenhouse
Assistant Job Description and Qualifications
Grower/Greenhouse
Assistant responsibilities will include:
·
Assisting
with the day-to-day operation of the farm.
·
Assisting
with planting and care of greenhouse crops.
·
All
facets of the garden including planning, planting, care, harvesting and
distribution.
·
Assisting
and working in cooperation with the program director.
·
Working
cooperatively with the Walnut Grove Vocational Farm program director and high
school transition program coordinators, individuals, and other agencies to
schedule and oversee the on farm training program for individuals with special
needs.
·
Working
with other professionals to customize training curriculum for individuals with
special needs.
·
Working
an average of 30 to 40 hours per week. However, during certain parts of the
growing season this individual may work 50 or more hours a week. Must be
willing and able to work some weekends. The person in this position will also
operate a cash register, be able to greet and serve retail shoppers in the greenhouse,
and handle cash transactions.
Qualifications
·
Good
oral and written communication skills.
·
Friendly
and capable of good customer relations skills.
·
Knowledge
of Word and Excel
·
Ability
to work well with others.
·
Comfortable
and capable of working with individuals with special needs.
·
Demonstrated
experience in horticulture and agriculture.
·
Capable
of doing physical labor, including ability to lift at least 50 pounds.
·
Ability
to be self-directed and interested in growing into organizational leadership
opportunities.
·
Must
be able to work weekends.
·
Ability
to work a varied seasonal schedule. During the growing season some weeks will
require more than 50 hours of work; during the winter fewer hours will be
required. Average of 30 to 40 a week over the course of the year.
Compensation
·
Salary
of $25,000-30,000 per year
·
6
personal or sick days with pay
·
one
week of vacation with pay
·
$500
per year toward continuing education
For
questions and more information contact Dan Kenney, executive director, at dkenney53@hotmail.com or call 815-793-0950.
Interested
applicants should mail cover letter and resume with references included to:
DeKalb County Community Gardens
PO Box 348
DeKalb IL
60115
