At The Garden — Employment

Employment at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Requistion Number 31

By performing general garden maintenance and responding to the public, you will learn what it takes to be a horticulturist at the Chicago Botanic Garden. You will assist horticulturists and lead a small crew in planting, transplanting, weeding, watering, grooming perennials, mulching, labeling plants and monitoring for pests and diseases.

TITLE: Assistant Horticulturist, Seasonal

PURPOSE: To maintain an attractive area for the education and enjoyment of visitors.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

1. Lead crews under the direction of the horticulturist or senior horticulturist and perform general
landscape maintenance and installation consisting of tasks such as weeding, watering, deadheading, grooming perennials, fertilizing, planting, removing debris, pruning, edging, mowing, mulching,
winterizing, removing snow, and maintaining and inventorying tools.

2. Respond to public and staff questions for general information.

3. Provide current information to the horticulturists regarding plant accessions, removals, transfers and
label requirements. Label plants and assist with installation of accession tags.

4. Inform the horticulturists of disease, insect, animal, and weed problems.

5. Assist with special events and festivals.

DEPARTMENT: Display Gardens

REPORTS TO: Senior horticulturist or horticulturist

SUPERVISES: Groundskeepers (seasonal/temporary), volunteers, interns

COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS: Horticulture Services, Maintenance, Horticulture Collections

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Completed horticulture training program or classes with experience in landscape maintenance and installation. Good communication skills, both written and verbal. Able to lead small crews in maintaining gardens. Must be able to lift and carry 25 lbs.