Chicago Botanic Garden

At The Garden — Employment

Employment at the Chicago Botanic Garden

TITLE: Aquatic Plant Maintenance


Nearly ½ million aquatic and shoreline plants have been introduced along over four miles of the Garden's lakeshore to stabilize eroding shoreline soils, enhance aquatic habitat, and provide a research site for scientific study (our most recent North Lake project is described at www.chicagobotanic.org/research/shoreline/north_lake.php). The Aquatic Plant Maintenance seasonal staff are responsible for maintaining these shoreline plantings. Typical work responsibilities include removal of weedy/invasive plants and algae, replanting as necessary due to plant mortality or herbivory, and other maintenance activities as needed to support robust native aquatic plant communities, enhanced shoreline habitat, and aesthetic shoreline conditions.

PURPOSE: Strengthen the Chicago Botanic Garden's aquatic plant and urban lake studies program by maintaining and the Garden's collection of aquatic and shoreline plants.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Maintain the Garden's collection of nearly ½ million native aquatic and shoreline plants, as well as general lake aesthetics.

2. Assist the Curator of Aquatic Plant & Urban Lake Studies and the Shoreline Management Specialist with duties and responsibilities as assigned to meet the needs of the Garden's aquatic plant and urban lake studies program; its aquatic plant collection; and research programs related to lake water quality, shoreline stabilization, aquatic habitat, and aquatic plant ecology.

3. Staff in this position are provided with an exceptional opportunity to learn native wetland plant identification and gain a better understanding of lake shoreline erosion control strategies and shoreline ecology.


Seasonal Position (April-June through August-December)

DEPARTMENT: Aquatics – Restoration Ecology

REPORTS TO: Curator of Aquatics/Director of Restoration Ecology

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree and/or experience in botany, horticulture, aquatic ecology, or equivalent is required. Knowledge and experience relating to identification and care of native shoreline plants communities is highly desired. Applicant must have a high comfort level being in and around water, and an ability to swim should the need arise in an emergency. Also, applicant must be comfortable operating row boats and electric trolling motors, and an ability to lift and carry 35 pounds.