Title: Human Resources Specialist

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department: Human Resources

Location: Farm on Ogden 3555 W Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL

Reports to: Senior Director, Human Resources at Glencoe Campus

Year-Round Full-time

Position Overview: The Human Resources specialist will be the on-site Human Resources (HR) contact for all of Windy City Harvest (WCH) located at the Farm on Ogden in Chicago. This is a newly created role due to the growth of Windy City Harvest.

The Farm on Ogden, a multiuse facility located in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood, which supports and sustains a healthy urban community by bringing food, health, and jobs together in one location. Windy City Harvest, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s urban agriculture program, in partnership with Lawndale Christian Health Center, takes a “whole person” approach to community health and wellness.

The Human Resources specialist is responsible for supporting the day-to-day transactions relating to all phases of the employee life-cycle activities, such as recruitment, onboarding, employee data maintenance, workers’ compensation, training coordination, light employee relations, and confidential record maintenance for Windy City Harvest. The person in this role will serve as the first point of HR contact for new hires for WCH. The person in this position will serve as an employee relations contact under the direction of the senior director of Human Resources. The person in this role interacts with applicants, staff, and management supporting Windy City Harvest.

Working closely with the senior director of HR and WCH management, the human resources specialist executes full-cycle recruitment plans and talent-sourcing strategies that assist in the attraction, selection, and successful placement of staff. The person in this role will report to the senior director of Human Resources, who is located at the Glencoe campus, with a dotted line to the vice president of Learning and Public Programs.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Conduct recruiting activities for WCH operations.
• Create employment requisitions and circulate via ADOBE sign for approval.
• Serve as an on-site employee relations contact.
• Communicate with employees and provide guidance and/or consultation, making sure they are using the tools and resources available.
• Independently handle general questions referring to policy and procedures; ensure employee issues are brought to the attention of the senior director of Human Resources.
• Under the guidance of the senior director of Human Resources, conduct investigations.
• Manage HRIS for WCH.
• Ensure data integrity when entering new hires, pay rates, employment status, rehires, and terminations into HRIS system (ADP).
• Verify employment eligibility utilizing E-Verify.
• Initiate and run background checks with preferred vendor.
• Maintain WCH employee files in conjunction with the human resources coordinator (both active and terminated).
• Maintain focus on continuous improvement and make HR process improvements or recommendations to the senior director of Human Resources.
• Model commitment to the Garden’s goals in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and support the team.
• Work with senior director of Human Resources and HR department on special projects as directed.
• Respond to routine employee and manager questions regarding human resources-related topics (i.e., benefits, leave administration).

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors:

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Knowledge of federal, multi-state, and local employment laws
• Knowledge of recruitment, employee relations, and legal compliance requirements
• Minimum three years of HR coordinator experience
• Compassion and patience; genuinely care about people and be ready to help; must possess the understanding that though an issue may seem small, it is important to those we serve
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook, PowerPoint) required

• Proficiency in virtual meeting technology such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams

• Strong customer service skills
• Adobe Pro and HRIS proficiency required; ADP a plus
• Strong attention to detail, follow through, problem solving, and organizational skills
• Strong written/verbal communication skills; demonstrate good listening skills; able to communicate status on process with colleagues, keep team members informed, and respond clearly to employee inquiries
• Independent and organized work style
• Effectively manage time and prioritize workload, assume and manage multiple projects or tasks, adapt to change, and consistently meet deadlines
• Ability to make independent decisions and regularly suggest ways to improve services and processes
• This position will work on-site at WCH Farm on Ogden and travel to the Glencoe campus (minimal) as needed

Review of applications will begin starting May 23, 2023. In addition to the application and resume, please submit a cover letter or brief statement of interest.

*The Chicago Botanic Garden requires all existing employees to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated by October 15, 2021; hires after this date must be fully vaccinated upon hire or may request a medical/religious exemption after an offer is extended.*

Physical Demands:
Office setting and regularly will be outdoors. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and typing. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds.

*The Chicago Botanic Garden requires all existing employees to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated by October 15, 2021; hires after this date must be fully vaccinated upon hire or may request a medical/religious exemption after an offer is extended.*

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. Apply today. 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.