Program Manager Lancer Farms

College of Lake County; United States; On-site; USD 71,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

College of Lake County is seeking a Program Manager for Lancer Farms to lead instructional, operational, and experiential learning across multiple sites, including campus-based farms. You will coordinate curriculum delivery, supervise staff and participants, and ensure safety and alignment with college goals.

Responsibilities include managing program budgets, partnerships, and placement of Farm Fellowship participants into paid experiences, while maintaining rigorous evaluation and outcomes

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in horticulture, agriculture, food systems, education, workforce development, or related field.
• Three years of experience in agricultural instruction, program coordination, experiential learning, or workforce training environments.
• Two years of experience supervising staff.
• Experience coordinating instructional activities, staff, or program participants.

Responsibilities

• Lead curriculum development and ensure alignment with learning outcomes and workforce competencies.
• Recruit, hire, train, and manage staff delivering workforce development programs.
• Supervise Farm Fellowship, Youth Farm, and Farm Corps programs and activities.
• Coordinate partnerships with external farm and education organizations for paid work experiences.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Instructional skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in horticulture/agriculture/education/workforce development

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data tracking systems

Job description

Why choose the College of Lake County for your next opportunity?

The College of Lake County (CLC) offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits that includes Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois health, Delta Dental and Superior Vision insurance plans, tuition support for employees and qualified family members, three retirement plans, disability, group and supplemental life insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending account plans, a compressed work week in the summer (Closed Fridays!), generous vacation, sick and personal time off and 14 paid holidays each year. Some benefits will not be available for Part-Time or Part Time Staff Under 20 Hours (ex: health insurance). Position Title: Program Manager Lancer Farms

Job Summary

The Lancer Farms Program Manager provides leadership for the instructional, operational, and experiential learning components of the College of Lake County's Lancer Farms noncredit and workforce training programs. Reporting to Director of Lancer Farms, this position is responsible for planning, facilitating, and evaluating workforce and noncredit instructional programming across all Lancer Farms locations, including the Campus Farm at Grayslake, the Greenbelt Farm at the Greenbelt Forest Preserve, and the Urban Farm Center at the Lakeshore Campus in downtown Waukegan. The Manager exercises independent judgment in coordinating curriculum delivery, instructional farm lab days, and supervised experiential learning across multiple sites. This role includes supervision of staff and program participants, oversight of instructional use of farm facilities, and alignment of program activities with institutional goals, safety standards, and workforce development objectives. The position integrates instructional leadership, farm operations oversight, and workforce development equally to ensure cohesive, high-quality program experience for all participants.

Job Description

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Operations and Program Management (40%)

• Oversees curriculum development and implementation to ensure alignment with defined learning outcomes, workforce competencies, and program objectives.
• Coordinates instructional schedules, materials, and resources to support effective and consistent program delivery across all Lancer Farms sites.
• Supports alignment of noncredit programming with existing credit opportunities and established workforce pathways.
• Works with staff to plan and execute farm-based instructional activities that support hands-on learning, skill development, and workforce readiness.
• Engages with and informs crop production and farm activities at each site as instructional tools aligned with curriculum goals.
• Directs the instructional use of farm facilities, greenhouses, and equipment to ensure alignment with workforce development objectives and operational needs.
• Establishes, implements, and enforces safety protocols and best practices for all instructional and field activities.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with external farm, food systems, and agricultural education organizations to support paid, supervised work experiences aligned with instructional outcomes.
• Coordinates the placement of Farm Fellowship participants into paid work experiences in collaboration with partner organizations, ensuring alignment with learning objectives, program expectations, and college policies.
• Establishes expectations, schedules, learning objectives, and evaluation frameworks for partner-hosted work experiences in coordination with Lancer Farms leadership.
• Maintains accurate records related to participant engagement, work experience outcomes, and program performance metrics.
• Supports budget management for assigned areas, including tracking revenues and expenses and maintaining cost awareness.

Workforce Development and Personnel Management (40%)

• Recruits, hires, trains, and manages staff responsible for instructional content for workforce development and training programs, ensuring each offering integrates classroom, laboratory, and field-based learning experiences.
• Oversees workforce programs including Youth Farm (paid work experience for high school students at all three Lancer Farms locations), Farm Corps (paid work experience for Opportunity Youth), and Farm Fellowship (noncredit 10-month sustainable farm education intensive).
• Participates in hiring of adjunct and contract noncredit instructors to support Lancer Farms programs; leads onboarding, performance management, and disciplinary processes in accordance with college policies.
• Evaluates and provides feedback on adjunct and contract instructors to ensure program quality, instructional consistency, and alignment with workforce development goals.
• Assigns work, sets performance expectations, and monitors outcomes to ensure instructional and operational goals are met.
• Works with staff and instructors to integrate workforce readiness, professional skills, and career exploration into all workforce development programming.
• Evaluates participant progress and learning outcomes; provides feedback, coaching, and instructional support to staff as appropriate.

Strategic Leadership and Project Management (15%)

• Represents Lancer Farms programs in community engagement activities, site visits, and outreach efforts as assigned.
• Coordinates tours, demonstrations, and educational events in collaboration with Lancer Farms leadership.
• Builds collaborative relationships with external agricultural and farm education partners to expand experiential learning and workforce development opportunities for program participants.
• Maintains effective working relationships with internal departments to support program goals.
• Ensures instructional and operational activities comply with college policies, safety standards, and applicable to local, state, and federal regulations.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance instructional effectiveness, program operations, and participant outcomes; recommends improvements to leadership.
• Participates in assessment, planning, and professional development activities to support continuous program improvement.
• Manages assigned program and operational budgets; monitors expenditures to ensure alignment with approved allocations.
• Oversees purchasing, inventory management, and coordination with vendors related to instructional and farm operations.
• Provides input into annual budget planning, grant-supported activities, and resource requests to support program sustainability.

Other (5%)

• Represents and promotes Lancer Farms programming in local and regional conferences, workshops, and gatherings, including oversight of the Grow Lake County Coalition, a network of Lake County food system stakeholders dedicated to promoting local food systems.
• Instructs/delivers programs as needed on a fill-in basis and as appropriate.
• Seeks out and attends professional development opportunities; stays current on emerging industry trends and growth opportunities through industry publications and engagement.
• Represents Lancer Farms in College shared governance activities as appropriate.
• Serves on committees or project teams as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical

Primary functions require the ability to move between campus offices, farm sites, greenhouses, and off-site partner or community locations. This position involves extended periods of standing, walking, and working outdoors in varied weather and field conditions. Additional physical requirements include remaining in a stationary position (sitting and/or standing) for portions of the workday; to regularly stoop, bend, kneel, and reach; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 40 pounds; to operate instructional and farm equipment; to regularly use a computer keyboard and standard office equipment; the ability to communicate to exchange information; and the ability to learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete tasks independently, and make timely decisions.

Environmental

Work is performed across indoor classroom and office environments, as well as active farm, greenhouses, and field settings. The position requires regular travel between all three Lancer Farms locations and exposure to varying temperatures, weather conditions, and outdoor farm environments throughout all seasons. Occasional travel to community organization facilities, employer sites, and event locations is required.

Vision

Ability to observe near and far visual ranges, including work in outdoor and variable lighting conditions, with or without correction or reasonable accommodation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in horticulture, agriculture, food systems, education, workforce development, or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in agricultural instruction, program coordination, experiential learning, or workforce training environments.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience supervising staff.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating or supervising instructional activities, staff, or program participants.
• Experience integrating hands-on learning with curriculum or workforce development objectives.
• Strong organizational, communication, and instructional skills.
• Proficiency with standard office software and data tracking systems.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in horticulture, agriculture, food systems, agroecology, or related fields.
• Experience in urban agriculture, food systems, or community-based workforce development programs.
• Experience supervising staff, instructors, or participants in a structured program environment.
• Familiarity with institutional, public-sector, or grant-funded educational environments.
• Knowledge of career pathways, noncredit programming, or continuing education frameworks.
• Experience supporting program improvement or developing new program offerings.

Salary: $71,000 - $80,000/year Salary, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment are highly competitive and will be commensurate with the candidate’s background and experience.

Application Deadline: September 10, 2026

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full time

Total Hours Per Week: 40

Position Type: Staff

Job Family: Professional

Posting Date: 08/21/2026

Expected Start Date: 10/12/2026

Compensation Grade: C43

Location: Lakeshore Campus

Department: Lancer Farms Department

EEO Statement: College of Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a policy of non-discrimination. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, age, sex, national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, ancestry, citizenship, parental status, pregnancy or any other status protected by law.

College of Lake County (CLC) is a comprehensive community college located in northeastern Illinois committed to being an innovative educational institution providing life-changing paths for our students by offering exceptional learning experiences. CLC aspires to be a place where every student succeeds, every employee thrives, so that every business achieves and every community grows. Our mission is to be innovative and value-driven in supporting student success through developing and encouraging employees of all backgrounds on their journey toward achieving personal and professional growth. CLC achieved a milestone in 2025 with its designation as a Leader College of Distinction. CLC is part of the Achieving the Dream (ATD) Network, made up of 300+ colleges committed to supporting student success at their institutions and promoting economic vitality throughout their communities. CLC has been a member of the ATD Network since 2019 and has held Leader College status since 2023.