Facilities Assistant - Windy City Harvest

Chicago Botanic Garden; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Botanic Garden is seeking a Facilities Assistant for Windy City Harvest to support maintenance of greenhouses, farm sites, and related equipment. The role emphasizes safety, efficiency, and collaboration with staff to sustain productive growing environments.

The candidate will perform routine repairs, assist with seasonal setups, and help manage supplies while upholding the Garden's commitment to sustainability and high-quality site maintenance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years in maintenance, facilities, farm operations, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with hand and power tools.
• Familiarity with greenhouses, hoophouses, irrigation systems, or similar structures preferred.
• Valid driver’s license with clean record.
• Strong problem-solving and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance, repairs, and inspections of facilities and equipment.
• Identify safety hazards and report maintenance or safety concerns.
• Assist with setup, breakdown, and transportation of materials for events and operations.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and inventories; ensure safe storage and organization.
• Coordinate with Facilities Manager and staff to prioritize maintenance needs.
• Follow safety procedures including PPE and lockout/tagout when required.

Skills

General maintenance

Hand tools

Power tools

Mechanical aptitude

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

Title: Facilities Assistant - Windy City Harvest

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Facilities Manager

Year-Round, Full-time

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

2026 A Guide to Your Benefits JP.pdf

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.

Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.

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 facilities assistant plays a vital role in maintaining the greenhouses and farm sites at Windy City Harvest. The person in this position supports the upkeep and repair of facilities, equipment, and tools, while helping ensure the health and productivity of plants and growing systems. The facilities assistant works closely with staff to carry out daily operations and sustain efficient, safe, and functional farm environments. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and a commitment to sustainability and high-quality site maintenance.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

Facilities & Site Maintenance

• Perform routine maintenance, repairs, and inspections of buildings, greenhouses, hoophouses, irrigation systems, and other farm structures.
• Identify and address safety hazards, leaks, structural concerns, and equipment issues; report concerns requiring additional support.
• Complete basic plumbing, electrical, carpentry, mechanical, and small-equipment repairs.
• Maintain walkways, work areas, storage spaces, landscaping, and overall site appearance at Farm on Ogden and assigned farm sites.
• Support waste, recycling, compost, snow removal, seasonal cleanup, and general site upkeep.
• Maintain and inspect hand tools, power tools, small machinery, and farm equipment; report or replace damaged or unsafe equipment.
• Support seasonal setup, breakdown, and storage of growing systems, farm infrastructure, and equipment.
• Support the transportation of vehicles, plants, supplies, equipment, and other materials to and from the main campus and assigned farm sites.
• Conduct regular fleet checks, including checking tire pressure and inspecting for visible damage, ensuring vehicle cabs are clean and orderly, and reporting maintenance or safety concerns.
• Maintain maintenance supplies and equipment inventories and track materials used for repairs and projects.
• Coordinate with the Facilities Manager, Site Managers, and program staff to prioritize and schedule maintenance needs.
• Follow all organizational safety procedures, including proper PPE and lockout/tagout procedures when required.

• Promptly report unsafe conditions, property damage, equipment concerns, and workplace incidents.
• Assist with event setup, farm logistics, and other facility or special projects as needed.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• At least two years of experience in general maintenance, facilities, farm operations, production, or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience with hand tools, power tools, maintenance equipment, and small machinery.
• Experience with greenhouses, hoophouses, irrigation systems, or similar agricultural structures preferred.
• Familiarity with basic plumbing and water systems, including PVC and flexible tubing.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem‑solving, and mechanical skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, work independently, and manage time effectively.
• Clear communication and ability to work collaboratively with supervisors and team members.
• Basic computer skills and ability to complete written and electronic records.
• Valid driver's license, at least two years of experience driving larger vehicles, and a clean driving record.

Physical Demands

Staff must be able to work in all weather conditions. The role involves frequent lifting, standing, walking, and bending. Daily tasks will include operating small farm machinery and maintenance equipment. Staff are required to lift, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds. This position also involves completing daily written paperwork.

Why Apply?

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. 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 (847) 835‑8264 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.