Our Garden – Seasonal employment

Seasonal Employment Opportunities

The Chicago Botanic Garden hires more than 100 seasonal employees every year. Seasonal positions are short-term positions that last anywhere from four to eight months. Most positions are full-time, though some are part-time.

Center for Teaching and Learning

Spring Science Sleuths Instructor – FILLED
As a Spring Science Sleuths instructor for School Programs, you will prepare for and facilitate school field trips for students grades K-6, providing inquiry-based garden experiences. Candidates must have a science background and enjoy working with children. The position extends from April 14 through June 6.

Camp CBG Instructor – FILLED
As a Camp CBG instructor, you will instruct 2 1/2-hour, 5-day programs for children ages 2-12 for the Camp CBG summer day camp program. Programs are hands-on, inquiry-based, outdoor science programs. Extensive teaching experience required; preference is given to those with experience and/or interest teaching science and environmental/outdoor education and/or early childhood experience.

College First Instructor – FILLED
An experienced science educator is needed to develop curriculum and teach ecology/nature-based curriculum for upper high school students at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Must be available 40 hours per week from June 9 to August 8. Three years experience in formal or non-formal high school science education is preferred.

Science First Instructor (Lake County) – FILLED
Instructors will team-teach a four-week middle school summer science enrichment program for students going into grades 7 to 9. Applicants must be available from June 16 to July 18, with teaching from June 23 to July 18, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The program takes place at Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. Experience in formal and/or non-formal science education at the middle or high school level is necessary; curriculum development and experience working with diverse populations are preferred.

Science First Assistant Instructor (Lake County) – FILLED
Individuals are needed to assist instructors with a summer science program for middle school students. Applicants must be available June 23 to July 18 full-time, from Monday to Friday. The program takes place at Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. Some experience with children (tutoring, mentoring, etc.) and knowledge of programs with the Lake County Forest Preserve District are preferred.

Science First Program Assistant (Lake County) – FILLED
Individuals are needed to assist with logistics and setup of a summer science program. Must be available June 23 to July 18 full-time, from Monday to Friday. The program takes place at Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. Some experience with children (tutoring, mentoring, etc.) and knowledge of programs with the Lake County Forest Preserve District are preferred.

Collections

Plant Collections Specialist – FILLED
A Collections Specialist will assist the Director in building data for the Garden’s 18 Specialized Collections. This person would: perform literature research, review current Collection holdings, and determine the availability and nativity of taxa. They would accurately perform data entry and information transfer; develop lists of new acquisitions and sources for the Specialized Collections. Evaluate plants from foreign expeditions for quantity, health, and provenance-based adaptability. Produce reports of findings.

Conservation Science

Summer Field Researchers – FILLED
Summer field researchers will work in remnant prairies and experimental gardens in adverse conditions to investigate how limited pollination, reduced genetic diversity, asynchronous phenology, and small population size influence reproduction and survival in the purple coneflower Echinacea angustifolia. Summer field researchers will assist in all aspects of field research, such as measuring plants, mapping plants, recording data on a PDA, assessing style receptivity, weeding gardens, identifying plants, and counting seedlings. Summer field researchers must have a valid driver license and be enthusiastic and hard-working and be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.

Custodial Services

Seasonal Custodian
Help maintain public areas inside and outside during the busy season. Help with set-up of shows, meetings, special events and weddings.

Horticulture

Assistant Horticulturist – FILLED
By planting, pruning and responding to the public, you will learn what it takes to be a horticulturist at the Chicago Botanic Garden. You will assist horticulturists in monitoring pests and diseases, accessioning and transferring plants, and addressing animal and weed problems. You will also maintain areas that are educational and enjoyable for all guests.

Plant Health Care Assistant – FILLED
The plant health care assistant will manage weed control on general grounds requiring an Illinois Department of Agriculture operator's license to apply the herbicide Round-up. The assistant will also help with other routine work related to plant health care, such as fertilizing, mulching, and pruning. The job is 40 hours per week Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and requires working outdoors in most weather conditions.

Landscape Laborers
Perform general grounds maintenance including planting; transplanting and pruning trees and shrubs; watering; picking up compost; mulching; mowing; maintaining tools and equipment; and weeding. Safely operate small equipment such as mowers, rototillers and weed-eaters.

Interpretive Programs

Program Aide – FILLED
As a program aide based in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, you will work as part of an energetic team that oversees daily programs for visitors in several gardens. If you enjoy working with people and a variety of tasks indoors and outdoors, you should consider this position.

Media Services

Media Services Technician (PT) – FILLED
A media services technician will set-up, operate, and wrap up audio visual equipment for events around the Garden throughout the summer months as needed. A very basic knowledge of mics, speakers, projectors, and screens is needed—along with a friendly, helpful demeanor.

Plant Production

Seasonal – FILLED
This is a seven-month temporary position in the Production Greenhouses. It entails assisting the greenhouse staff in growing and delivering plants. Candidate must be able to lift 25 lbs. and work on weekends. Some plant knowledge is preferred but not necessary.

Restoration Ecology

Natural Areas Land Management Assistants – FILLED
Do you enjoy physical work outdoors, have good knowledge of native regional flora (or capacity and willingness to learn it), and are eager for hands-on natural areas land management experience? If so, this position is ideal for you.

Security

Cashier – FILLED
Are you a people person? How would you like to personally welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Chicago Botanic Garden this year? We need Gatehouse cashiers to welcome our visitors and collect parking fees. Various shift hours available. Must be able to work weekends. Cash handling experience and excellent customer service skills are required.

Shuttle Van Driver – FILLED
There's nothing like a nice drive through the Garden, especially when you're paid to do it. As a Shuttle Van Driver, you would work every weekend and holiday, driving employees, volunteers, and others from a remote parking area to the heart of the Garden and back. Excellent driving record and customer service skills required.

Security Officer – FILLED
Do you like to walk around the Garden? How about riding in a golf cart? Do you enjoy helping people? Maybe a seasonal position in the Security Department is right for you. As a security officer, you would have a variety of duties including patrolling, enforcing Garden rules, and assisting visitors. Excellent customer service skills are required.

Visitor Events and Programs

Tram Tour Guide – FILLED
Do you enjoy interacting with people AND plants? Are you concerned about the future of our planet? Get involved as a Chicago Botanic Garden Tram Tour Guide! You will provide an exciting and educational visitor experience by driving and narrating a 35-minute Tram Tour. If you enjoy public speaking and have a talent for engaging an audience of adults & children, this may be the job for you. Our guides possess excellent driving and customer relations skills as well as an enthusiasm for the outdoors. Consider joining our team of guides and share your enthusiasm for the wonder and beauty of nature!

Trolley Driver – FILLED
We are seeking friendly, experienced drivers who enjoy the outdoors and interacting with people of all ages. Safely transport Chicago Botanic Garden visitors, staff and volunteers between predetermined locations. Must possess outstanding communication and customer service skills, as well as strong presentation abilities. Must have the ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and to endure the physical requirements of operating the touring vehicle, including assisting with the wheelchair lift and its occupant. Our drivers possess excellent driving and customer relations skills. College degree appreciated. Candidate must be insurable by the Society, possess a valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Class C license with P (passenger) Endorsement and a valid Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card. Candidate must present a current driving record for review and have a minimum of 5 years driving experience. Day, evening, weekend, and holiday hours available.

Visitor Events and Programs Aide – Summer Evenings – FILLED
As a Program Aide based in Public Programs, you will have the opportunity to oversee and implement a variety of public programs (primarily musical programming) that takes place on summer evenings (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays (select) and Thursdays) and select weekends. If you enjoy handling a variety of tasks outdoors and working with the public, you should consider this position.

Visitor Services Assistant – FILLED
As a Chicago Botanic Garden Visitor Assistant, you will provide our visitors with relevant Garden information in a manner focused primarily on exceptional customer service and providing an outstanding first impression. This highly visible position at our Information Desks requires an individual who excels in customer relations in a fast paced environment and one who is proactive in gaining knowledge of all aspects of the Garden. The ability to maintain professional behavior and multi-task in a fast paced environment is a must. An excellent opportunity to interact with the public in a beautiful environment! High School graduate. College degree appreciated.

Visitor Services Cashier – FILLED
As a Visitor Services cashier you will have the opportunity to provide outstanding service and ticketing support for the Tram Tour Program & Model Railroad Exhibition. Candidate must be able to provide, in a timely fashion, accurate cashiering skills including operating a computerized sales system generating ticket sales in multiple categories and values, coupon redemptions, and the balancing of sales figures for deposit. Candidate must possess excellent communication and customer relations skills and have the ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Our cashiers are approachable and confident and able to maintain accuracy in an active environment. Experience working with the public and using a computerized point of sales systems is appreciated. High school graduate. Day, evening, weekend, and holiday hours available.