Chicagoland Community Garden Coordinator

Mather Headquarters; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 41,328 - 45,460; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO and holidays

401(k) with employer match

Parking or transit benefits

Wellness spending account

Job summary

Mather HQ in Evanston, IL is seeking a Chicagoland Community Garden Coordinator to grow a network of inclusive gardens that support wellness, learning, and connection for older adults. The role blends virtual work, on-site meetings, and travel across Chicagoland.

You will build partnerships, coordinate programming, and support garden spaces that foster learning, creativity, and community engagement with older adults in mind.

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience in gardening or related work.
• 2+ years experience in project coordination or management.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentations.
• High level of dedication and personal responsibility.
• Interest in working with older adults from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with Chicagoland community gardens.
• Coordinate program offerings with garden partners and facilitators.
• Schedule and organize garden programming and events.
• Plan logistics and registration; procure materials and supplies.
• Occasional program facilitation and travel to partner sites.

Skills

Gardening

Project coordination

Verbal & written communication

Dedication & responsibility

Older adults outreach

Job description

Chicagoland Community Garden Coordinator

Mather HQ (Evanston, IL)

At Mather, a nationally recognized wellness-focused organization, we believe healthy aging thrives through connection, purpose, lifelong learning, and meaningful community engagement. Through our Community Initiatives team, we bring innovative wellness, educational, social, creative, and volunteer opportunities to older adults throughout Chicagoland, creating pathways for engagement, personal growth, and lifelong connection. We are seeking a passionate Chicagoland Community Garden Coordinator to help grow a network of inclusive community gardens that foster wellness, creativity, accessibility, and connection. In this unique role, you'll build partnerships, coordinate impactful programming, and help create welcoming outdoor spaces where older adults can learn, connect, and flourish through gardening, nature, and community.

This is a full-time, hourly position that combines virtual work, in-person meetings, community partner engagement, and occasional program facilitation. Frequent local travel throughout Chicagoland is an essential function of this role, as the Community Gardens Initiative Coordinator will regularly visit partner garden sites, attend meetings, assess garden needs, and support programming across the Chicagoland area.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Builds and maintains relationships with existing community gardens across Chicagoland.
• Works with garden partners to determine material and programming needs of partners and participant population and match with Mather opportunities and offerings.
• Works with garden facilitators to coordinate and schedule program offerings.
• Provides support for program logistics/planning (e.g., works with partner to ensure seating is available; work with CI team to manage program registration; order needed materials/supplies, etc.).
• Assists with garden programming facilitation on occasion as needed.
• Must possess valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation, or have the ability to arrange alternate reliable transportation, to travel to Mather Headquarters (Evanston, IL) and off-site locations for daily essential job functions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Required:

• 2+ years work experience related to gardening or related work.
• 2+ years work experience related to project coordination or management.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills, including presentation skills.
• High level of dedication and personal responsibility.
• Interest in working with older adults from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred:

• Experience working with older adults in an educational, gardening, or wellness setting.

The hourly base wage range provided is a good faith estimate of what Mather reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of the posting. The actual hourly rate offered will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant skills, certifications, years of experience, geographic location, and current market conditions. At Mather, we are committed to being inclusive, resilient, bold, and impactful—and that includes offering a total rewards experience designed to support our team members. This position may be eligible to participate in Mather’s benefit plan, if applicable. Eligibility for benefits is dependent on employment status and hours worked per pay period. All benefits are subject to change without notice.

Hourly Pay Range

$30 - $33 USD

Mather offers a competitive benefits package.*

Team members are eligible for:

• A generous paid time off (PTO) program including vacation days/personal days, sick days, and holidays. This is an “earn-as-you-go” plan that rolls over year to year, offering long- and short-term flexibility.
• A 401(k) program with per pay-period employer match and annual employer contribution (available to those age 21 or better)
• Convenient, subsidized parking (or public transportation for certain locations)
• Wellness Spending Account: up to $300 available annually for Wellness related expenses such as gym memberships, financial planning, etc.

Benefits-eligible team members can take advantage of:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Adoption Assistance Reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
• Extended illness benefits
• Employee wellness programs
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance is available to benefit eligible team members.

*Benefits are subject to change without notice. Benefits details dependent on employment status.

About Mather

Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather is a unique, non-denominational, not-for-profit organization founded in 1941. Dedicated to developing and implementing Ways to Age Well SM , we create programs, places, and residences for today’s young-at-heart older adults. Mather has received a national certification as a Great Place to Work ® , and has been selected as a Nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness Award recipient four years in a row.

Mather is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to an inclusive workforce. Candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.