At The Garden – Seasonal employment

2010 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.

Applications are being accepted now for some 2010 positions. If a position is marked FILLED, that may mean that applications are not yet being accepted for this year. These filled positions may still become available for 2010. Watch the website for changes.

Community Gardening

Garden Educator – FILLED
Grower

Center for Teaching and Learning

Science First at Lake County Program Manager – FILLED
The seasonal manager of the Science First, Lake County, program will oversee a middle-school science program at a Lake County forest preserve site (North Chicago) but will be based prior to the summer at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The position is responsible for student recruitment and program setup (February to late May for 15 to 20 hours per week) and then program logistics and daily site visits (June and July for about 40 hours per week).

Fairchild Challenge Assistant Coordinator – FILLED
As a Fairchild Challenge assistant coordinator, you will work with a manager to coordinate the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Fairchild Challenge, a multidisciplinary environmental contest that engages approximately 50 Chicago-area high schools (approximately 175 teachers) annually.

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 though 6. Instructors will provide inquiry-based garden experiences. Candidates must have a science background and enjoy working with children. Instructors are needed from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., April to June.

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

Camp CBG Operations Assistant – FILLED
As a Camp CBG operations assistant, you will assist the camp coordinator in all aspects of Camp CBG management. Assistants work with teachers, volunteers, staff, and camp families to prepare for camp activities. Camp CBG offers opportunities for children ages 2 to 12 to explore the Garden with hands-on, inquiry-based, outdoor science programs.

Camp CBG Operations Assistant (Part-time) – FILLED
As a part-time Camp CBG operations assistant, you will assist the Camp Coordinator in greeting camp families and assisting with set-up, daily administrative tasks, and general camp logistics. Camp CBG offers opportunities for children ages 2 to 12 to explore the Garden with hands-on, inquiry-based, outdoor science programs.

College First Instructor
An experienced science educator is needed to develop curriculum and teach ecology/nature-based curriculum to upper high-school students at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Must be available 40 hours per week from June 8 to August 7. Three years' experience in formal or nonformal high-school science education is preferred.

Science First Instructor (Lake County)
Instructors are needed to 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 to July, 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 Assistant Instructor (Lake County)
Individuals are needed to assist instructors with a summer science program for middle-school students. Applicants must be available June to July, 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)
An individual is needed to assist with logistics and setup of a summer science program. Must be available starting June to July, 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 is preferred.

Collections

Plant Collections Specialist
A collections specialist will assist the director in building data for the Garden’s 19 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.

Maintenance and Construction

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

Pool Cleaner
Help maintain the many water features at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This is a seven-month position beginning in April.

Horticulture

Assistant Horticulturist
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.

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.

Horticultural Therapy

Horticutural Therapy Services Assistant – FILLED
As a horticultural therapy services assistant, you'll assist the Horticultural Therapy staff team with maintaining the Enabling Garden, including preparation, planting, watering, fertilizing, detailed grooming, and general cleanliness. The Enabling Garden is an award-winning 11,000-square-foot display and international resource for barrier-free garden design, tools, techniques, and plant materials, with unique sensory qualities that enables anyone with mobility limitations to enjoy gardening. Duties include procuring needed plants, materials, tools, and supplies, and setting up furniture and materials for sessions of registered groups visiting the garden. You'll also supervise trained volunteers and students who support maintenance and programs in the Garden. This position requires strong abilities to communicate and work with others, including public visitors, mostly outdoors and in all weather. Knowledge of disabling conditions is helpful. Days are Tuesday through Saturday from May through early October, with a regular Monday-through-Friday schedule during the spring and fall.

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.

Plant Production

Seasonal
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.

Private and Corporate Events

Event Host – FILLED
You'll act as the on-site client contact during private and corporate events at the Chicago Botanic Garden and help ensure that first-class customer service is delivered on each occasion. Assistance with office work includes but is not limited to answering phones, replying to e-mail requests, and preparing materials for upcoming events.

Restoration Ecology

Aquatic Plant Maintenance
More than a quarter-million aquatic and shoreline plants have been introduced along three miles of the Garden's lakeshore to stabilize eroding shoreline soils, enhance aquatic habitat, and provide a research site for scientific study. The Aquatic Plant Maintenance seasonal staff are responsible for maintaining these shoreline plantings, including the wetland plantings in our new Rainwater Glen rain garden. Typical work responsibilities include removal of weedy/invasive plant and algae species, replanting as necessary due to plant mortality or herbivory, plant community documentation, and other maintenance activities as needed to support robust aquatic plant communities, enhanced shoreline habitat, and aesthetic shoreline conditions.

Prairie – River Management
Eight-month natural resources position perfect for recent biology/ecology graduates seeking hands-on field restoration experience to help direct career and/or graduate school path. Assist in the management of two of the Garden’s natural areas: a 15-acre created prairie (exhibits six different types of prairie found in northeastern Illinois) and a mile-long urban river reach with an adjoining 22 acres of developing wetlands, prairie, and woody vegetation. Typical work responsibilities include removal of weedy/invasive plants (including herbicide application), planting, seed collection and cleaning, mowing and debris removal, path maintenance, and other related activities. Considerable native flora learning involved. Duties include supervision of volunteers. Vegetative monitoring, data entry, literature research, and miscellaneous office work also required.

Shoreline Maintenance
The shoreline maintenance seasonal staff are responsible for maintaining aesthetic shoreline conditions by removing nuisance plant and algae growth, as well as litter and other debris from the Garden's lake system. The daily routine includes wearing waders (provided by the Garden) and accessing the shoreline via rowboats and/or walking in the water.

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 are available. Applicants 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. An excellent driving record and customer service skills are 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.