Company description

Growing Solutions Farm is a 1.2-acre urban farm in the Illinois Medical District that provides hands-on job training for Chicago public high school transition students (ages 16–22) with autism and related disabilities.

Students learn core agricultural tasks — harvesting, soil preparation, raised-bed building, food safety, and compost maintenance — while developing transferable job skills like communication, teamwork, and completing tasks independently.

​About 50 West Side students train during the school year, with another 20–25 participating each summer through One Summer Chicago.

​Produce from the farm is sold at weekly farm stands and to local restaurants and wholesalers. A thirty-box CSA also supports the farm, with all proceeds directly benefiting vocational training.

Job description

Farmers Market & Volunteer Manager

Growing Solutions Farm | Urban Autism Solutions
Employment Type: Seasonal, Part-Time, Hourly
Compensation: $22–$25 per hour (based on experience)
Schedule: 14–16 hours per week | May 1 – October 30

Position Overview:

Growing Solutions Farm (GSF) is seeking a Farmers Market & Volunteer Manager to run and grow our on-site and off-site farmers markets and volunteer program. GSF is a program of
Urban Autism Solutions (UAS), whose mission is to build real-world pathways to independence, work, and community for young adults with autism and related disabilities.

This customer-facing role serves as a key brand ambassador for GSF – cultivating relationships with farmers market partners, volunteers, and community stakeholders to grow earned revenue, expand engagement opportunities, and strengthen our public presence. This position will initially work closely with both the Executive Director and Lead Grower and Educator, with responsibilities and day-to-day supervision gradually transitioning to the Lead Grower & Educator once programs are established and integrated into ongoing farm operations.

About Growing Solutions Farm:

Growing Solutions Farm is a 1.2 acre urban produce farm located in the Illinois Medical District and operated by Urban Autism Solutions. The farm combines sustainable agriculture with
hands-on job training, growing a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers while supporting workforce development for young adults with autism and related challenges. Through daily farm operations, Growing Solutions Farm promotes skill-building, community engagement, and access to fresh, locally grown food.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and manage on-site and off-site farmers markets, including scheduling, set-up, breakdown, and staffing
• Prepare produce for sale in coordination with farm staff
• Operate Square POS and track basic sales data
• Support CSA distribution and customer-facing communication
• Recruit, schedule, and coordinate individual and group volunteers
• Serve as a clear, professional point of contact for customers, volunteers, and partners
• Support marketing and outreach efforts, including signage, flyers, and basic graphics

• Strengthen community relationships and the farm’s public presence
• Coordinate closely with farm staff to align market and volunteer activities with production
needs
• Additional responsibilities as needed and related to role.

Qualifications:

• At least one year of growing experience at a farm
• Experience working at a farmers market or farm stand, or a demonstrated history of selling products in a retail or community-based setting
• Experience leading volunteer groups
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Comfortable serving in an outward-facing role and representing the farm professionally
• Experience with or interest in marketing, communications, or basic graphic design a plus
• Ability to work outdoors, lift market equipment (up to 40 lbs), and adapt to changing
conditions
• Availability to work required weekday hours and weekends during markets and volunteer
events
• Comfort using basic technology, including email, Google Docs, and Square (training
provided)
• Valid driver’s license required
• Must be able to pass a background check
• Alignment with the mission and values of Urban Autism Solutions

Schedule & Compensation:

Season: May 1 – October 15
Hours: 14–16 hours per week

Set hours:
Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Fridays: 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Additional weekly hours (may include some evenings and/or weekends):
Off-site farmer’s markets
Hosting volunteer groups

No employer-provided benefits. Paid sick leave and PTO accrued in accordance with Chicago
law.

Employees receive one box of farm-grown produce per week during the harvest season, subject
to availability.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Urban Autism Solutions is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national
origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline