Employment
Please check back for information about opportunities in various departments at the Garden. Resumés and applications are only accepted for open positions. Applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered. Please see how to apply for further information.
Click here for internships.
Seasonal
Aquatic Plant Harvester Operator
Requisition Number: 721
Overview: The Chicago Botanic Garden is looking for an energetic, mechanically adept seasonal employee to operate our aquatic plant harvester this summer—and ideally in subsequent years. Located 25 miles north of downtown Chicago, the Garden's 385-acre campus includes 60 acres of lakes. Over the past 19 years, a half million native aquatic and shoreline plants have been added along 4.5 miles of our... Read more
Requisition Number: 721
Overview: The Chicago Botanic Garden is looking for an energetic, mechanically adept seasonal employee to operate our aquatic plant harvester this summer—and ideally in subsequent years. Located 25 miles north of downtown Chicago, the Garden's 385-acre campus includes 60 acres of lakes. Over the past 19 years, a half million native aquatic and shoreline plants have been added along 4.5 miles of our... Read more
Aquatic Plant Maintenance A-G
Requisition Number: 717
Overview: Over the past 19 years, a half million native aquatic and shoreline plants have been added along 4.5 miles of the Garden’s lakeshore. These shoreline plantings have been effective in stabilizing eroding shoreline soils and enhancing aquatic habitat, and they now serve as a research site for scientific study. Most recently, the award-winning North Lake Shoreline Restoration Project added 120,000... Read more
Requisition Number: 717
Overview: Over the past 19 years, a half million native aquatic and shoreline plants have been added along 4.5 miles of the Garden’s lakeshore. These shoreline plantings have been effective in stabilizing eroding shoreline soils and enhancing aquatic habitat, and they now serve as a research site for scientific study. Most recently, the award-winning North Lake Shoreline Restoration Project added 120,000... Read more
Assistant Grower, Seasonal A-C
Requisition Number: 705
Overview: Assist production staff in day-to-day greenhouse and nursery operations. Help with plant deliveries to garden areas on a daily basis. Position needs to be flexible to work in changing environments and with different divisions within the department. Watering will be a focus of the position and a required skill set. One weekend day will be part of the normal work week, and the position will require... Read more
Requisition Number: 705
Overview: Assist production staff in day-to-day greenhouse and nursery operations. Help with plant deliveries to garden areas on a daily basis. Position needs to be flexible to work in changing environments and with different divisions within the department. Watering will be a focus of the position and a required skill set. One weekend day will be part of the normal work week, and the position will require... Read more
Seeds of Success Lead Botanist (Applegate, CA)
Requisition Number: 701
Overview: The lead botanist is a contract-funded position for five months, stationed at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Applegate, California. The position will supervise a field team and plan and conduct native seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success (SOS) Program. The lead botanist position offers the opportunity to work closely with BLM staff, plan and implement a... Read more
Requisition Number: 701
Overview: The lead botanist is a contract-funded position for five months, stationed at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Applegate, California. The position will supervise a field team and plan and conduct native seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success (SOS) Program. The lead botanist position offers the opportunity to work closely with BLM staff, plan and implement a... Read more
Seeds of Success Technician (Applegate, CA)
Requisition Number: 702
Overview: The technician is a contract-funded position for five months, stationed at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Applegate, California. The position will be part of a team of two (one Lead Botanist and one technician) conducting native seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success (SOS) Program. The technician position offers the opportunity to work closely with BLM staff to... Read more
Requisition Number: 702
Overview: The technician is a contract-funded position for five months, stationed at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Applegate, California. The position will be part of a team of two (one Lead Botanist and one technician) conducting native seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success (SOS) Program. The technician position offers the opportunity to work closely with BLM staff to... Read more
Seeds of Success Technician (Buffalo, Wyoming)
Requisition Number: 696
Overview: The technician is a contract-funded position for four months, stationed at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Buffalo, Wyoming. The position will be part of a team of three (one lead botanist and two technicians) conducting native seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success (SOS) program. The technician position offers the opportunity to work closely with BLM staff and... Read more
Requisition Number: 696
Overview: The technician is a contract-funded position for four months, stationed at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Buffalo, Wyoming. The position will be part of a team of three (one lead botanist and two technicians) conducting native seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success (SOS) program. The technician position offers the opportunity to work closely with BLM staff and... Read more
Seeds of Success Technician (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Requisition Number: 698
Overview: The technician is a contract-funded position for eight months, stationed at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Las Vegas, Nevada. The person in this position will be part of a team of three (one lead botanist and two technicians) conducting native seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success (SOS) program. The technician position offers the opportunity to work closely with... Read more
Requisition Number: 698
Overview: The technician is a contract-funded position for eight months, stationed at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Las Vegas, Nevada. The person in this position will be part of a team of three (one lead botanist and two technicians) conducting native seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success (SOS) program. The technician position offers the opportunity to work closely with... Read more
Shoreline Maintenance A-B
Requisition Number: 718
Overview: Strengthen the Chicago Botanic Garden's aquatic plant and urban lake studies program by maintaining aesthetic shoreline conditions and quality lakeshore habitat. Located 25 miles north of downtown Chicago, the Garden's 385-acre campus includes 60 acres of lakes. Over the past 19 years, a half million native aquatic and shoreline plants have been added along 4.5 miles of our lakeshore... Read more
Requisition Number: 718
Overview: Strengthen the Chicago Botanic Garden's aquatic plant and urban lake studies program by maintaining aesthetic shoreline conditions and quality lakeshore habitat. Located 25 miles north of downtown Chicago, the Garden's 385-acre campus includes 60 acres of lakes. Over the past 19 years, a half million native aquatic and shoreline plants have been added along 4.5 miles of our lakeshore... Read more
Youth Farm Grower A-C
Requisition Number: 724
Overview: The youth farm grower is a mentor to the youth farm students, providing learning opportunities about growing food and sustainable agriculture. This is a hands-on position providing support to the team and providing guidance to students about agriculture. The youth farm grower will foster respect for the earth and the food we grow (and eat) with all of our program participants and the communities... Read more
Requisition Number: 724
Overview: The youth farm grower is a mentor to the youth farm students, providing learning opportunities about growing food and sustainable agriculture. This is a hands-on position providing support to the team and providing guidance to students about agriculture. The youth farm grower will foster respect for the earth and the food we grow (and eat) with all of our program participants and the communities... Read more
Regular
Budburst Community Engagement Manager
Requisition Number: 709
Overview: This position will support the community engagement initiatives of the Budburst community science program. In this position, you will develop outreach materials, train educators, and support community partners (e.g. nature centers, youth clubs) as they participate in Budburst and Budburst research projects. You will work with partners in the Chicago Park District and Forest Preserves of Cook... Read more
Requisition Number: 709
Overview: This position will support the community engagement initiatives of the Budburst community science program. In this position, you will develop outreach materials, train educators, and support community partners (e.g. nature centers, youth clubs) as they participate in Budburst and Budburst research projects. You will work with partners in the Chicago Park District and Forest Preserves of Cook... Read more
Budburst Director
Requisition Number: 707
Overview: The Chicago Botanic Garden is looking for a creative thinker excited about providing opportunities for the public to engage in authentic research through community science. The Budburst director will lead the transformation of this phenology-based community science project, including app development, regional and national expansion, and research collaborations. The Budburst director will develop... Read more
Requisition Number: 707
Overview: The Chicago Botanic Garden is looking for a creative thinker excited about providing opportunities for the public to engage in authentic research through community science. The Budburst director will lead the transformation of this phenology-based community science project, including app development, regional and national expansion, and research collaborations. The Budburst director will develop... Read more
Budburst Education Manager
Requisition Number: 708
Overview: This position will support the educational initiatives of the Budburst Community Science program. In this position, you will develop curriculum, train teachers, and support school districts, schools, teachers, and students as they participate in Budburst and Budburst research projects. You will work with partners in the Forest Preserves of Cook County to implement the program at three nature... Read more
Requisition Number: 708
Overview: This position will support the educational initiatives of the Budburst Community Science program. In this position, you will develop curriculum, train teachers, and support school districts, schools, teachers, and students as they participate in Budburst and Budburst research projects. You will work with partners in the Forest Preserves of Cook County to implement the program at three nature... Read more
Coordinator, Student Field Trips
Requisition Number: 720
Overview: The coordinator of Student Field Trips uses the Chicago Botanic Garden as an educational resource to support standards-based plant and environmental science lessons for visiting school groups on-site as well as the off-site Traveling Plant Science Teacher. Responsibilities include developing programs, training facilitators (resource staff and volunteers), occasionally teaching, and coordinating... Read more
Requisition Number: 720
Overview: The coordinator of Student Field Trips uses the Chicago Botanic Garden as an educational resource to support standards-based plant and environmental science lessons for visiting school groups on-site as well as the off-site Traveling Plant Science Teacher. Responsibilities include developing programs, training facilitators (resource staff and volunteers), occasionally teaching, and coordinating... Read more
Curator
Requisition Number: 703
Overview: The curator is responsible for the acquisition, development, research, and use of the Garden’s plant collections. The curator provides technical assistance to all horticulture staff, and acts as the subject matter expert for plants throughout all Garden operations.
Requisition Number: 703
Overview: The curator is responsible for the acquisition, development, research, and use of the Garden’s plant collections. The curator provides technical assistance to all horticulture staff, and acts as the subject matter expert for plants throughout all Garden operations.
Grounds Foreman
Requisition Number: 722
Overview: The grounds foreman performs general landscaping and grounds maintenance, operates landscaping equipment, supervises crews, and provides horticultural support for all garden areas. This position is hands-on in the field, and most of the time will be spent working outdoors year-round, performing manual labor and leading work crews to maintain the highest level of landscape maintenance. There will... Read more
Requisition Number: 722
Overview: The grounds foreman performs general landscaping and grounds maintenance, operates landscaping equipment, supervises crews, and provides horticultural support for all garden areas. This position is hands-on in the field, and most of the time will be spent working outdoors year-round, performing manual labor and leading work crews to maintain the highest level of landscape maintenance. There will... Read more
Manager, Corporate Relations
Requisition Number: 716
Overview: Assist in building long-term, multifaceted, collaborative partnerships in the corporate community that lead to success in raising operating funds for the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Requisition Number: 716
Overview: Assist in building long-term, multifaceted, collaborative partnerships in the corporate community that lead to success in raising operating funds for the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Internship
English Walled Garden Intern
Requisition Number: 713
Overview: Learn how to properly maintain a public display garden by working with a senior horticulturist and his or her team of staff and volunteers. Other assigned gardens may include the Circle Garden, Sensory Garden, Waterfall Garden, Dwarf Conifer Garden, and the Lakeside Gardens. Attend regular staff meetings, field trips, and weekly intern meetings with guest speakers to learn about general Chicago... Read more
Requisition Number: 713
Overview: Learn how to properly maintain a public display garden by working with a senior horticulturist and his or her team of staff and volunteers. Other assigned gardens may include the Circle Garden, Sensory Garden, Waterfall Garden, Dwarf Conifer Garden, and the Lakeside Gardens. Attend regular staff meetings, field trips, and weekly intern meetings with guest speakers to learn about general Chicago... Read more
Interpretive Programs Intern
Requisition Number: 715
Overview: Gain hands-on experience in museum education programs and volunteer management while assisting with and supporting seasonal programs in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, Malott Japanese Garden, Thomas English Walled Garden, and the Butterflies & Blooms exhibition. Learn operational aspects of a botanic garden/museum setting by working on a variety of projects and attending internal... Read more
Requisition Number: 715
Overview: Gain hands-on experience in museum education programs and volunteer management while assisting with and supporting seasonal programs in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, Malott Japanese Garden, Thomas English Walled Garden, and the Butterflies & Blooms exhibition. Learn operational aspects of a botanic garden/museum setting by working on a variety of projects and attending internal... Read more
Japanese Garden Intern
Requisition Number: 714
Overview: Learn how to properly maintain a public display garden by working with a senior horticulturist and his or her team of staff and volunteers. Other assigned gardens may include Evening Island, the Green Roof, and the Evaluation Gardens. Attend regular staff meetings, field trips, and weekly intern meetings with guest speakers to learn about general Chicago Botanic Garden operations. This is a full... Read more
Requisition Number: 714
Overview: Learn how to properly maintain a public display garden by working with a senior horticulturist and his or her team of staff and volunteers. Other assigned gardens may include Evening Island, the Green Roof, and the Evaluation Gardens. Attend regular staff meetings, field trips, and weekly intern meetings with guest speakers to learn about general Chicago Botanic Garden operations. This is a full... Read more
Kris S. Jarantoski Intern
Requisition Number: 710
Overview: Gain broad-based experience with a focus on horticulture in public garden operations. Develop skills required to become a future botanic garden leader. Specific duties will change throughout the internship as the intern rotates through different Garden departments. Assigned areas may include nursery and greenhouse plant production, plant healthcare, horticulture maintenance and operations, plant... Read more
Requisition Number: 710
Overview: Gain broad-based experience with a focus on horticulture in public garden operations. Develop skills required to become a future botanic garden leader. Specific duties will change throughout the internship as the intern rotates through different Garden departments. Assigned areas may include nursery and greenhouse plant production, plant healthcare, horticulture maintenance and operations, plant... Read more
Plant Evaluation Intern
Requisition Number: 723
Overview: The plant evaluation internship provides an opportunity to observe a diversity of plants in full-sun and green roof gardens. Plant performance is documented through data collection and digital photography. The Chicago Botanic Garden has one of the largest and most diverse plant evaluation programs in the United States. This is a 19-week, full-time internship with an anticipated start date date of... Read more
Requisition Number: 723
Overview: The plant evaluation internship provides an opportunity to observe a diversity of plants in full-sun and green roof gardens. Plant performance is documented through data collection and digital photography. The Chicago Botanic Garden has one of the largest and most diverse plant evaluation programs in the United States. This is a 19-week, full-time internship with an anticipated start date date of... Read more
Production Greenhouse and Nursery Intern (A-B)
Requisition Number: 711
Overview: Learn about plant production by rotating through and working with the growers in the four divisions of the Plant Production Department. These divisions include the nursery, indoor floriculture, outdoor floriculture, and plant propagation. Attend regular staff meetings, field trips, and weekly intern meetings with guest speakers during the summer to learn about general Chicago Botanic Garden... Read more
Requisition Number: 711
Overview: Learn about plant production by rotating through and working with the growers in the four divisions of the Plant Production Department. These divisions include the nursery, indoor floriculture, outdoor floriculture, and plant propagation. Attend regular staff meetings, field trips, and weekly intern meetings with guest speakers during the summer to learn about general Chicago Botanic Garden... Read more
Rose Garden Intern
Requisition Number: 712
Overview: Learn how to properly maintain a public display garden by working with a senior horticulturist and his or her team of staff and volunteers. Other assigned gardens may include the Heritage Garden, Esplanade, Aquatic Garden, Farwell Landscape Garden, Crescent Garden, Fruit & Vegetable Garden, Bulb Garden, Model Railroad Garden, and Spider Island. Attend regular staff meetings, field trips, and... Read more
Requisition Number: 712
Overview: Learn how to properly maintain a public display garden by working with a senior horticulturist and his or her team of staff and volunteers. Other assigned gardens may include the Heritage Garden, Esplanade, Aquatic Garden, Farwell Landscape Garden, Crescent Garden, Fruit & Vegetable Garden, Bulb Garden, Model Railroad Garden, and Spider Island. Attend regular staff meetings, field trips, and... Read more
Veteran Interns (A-H)
Requisition Number: 719
Overview: Participate in the Veteran Internship Program to create a plan for transitioning to the civilian workforce while working under supervision in a Garden department. Garden departments may include Accounting, Bonsai, Camp CBG, Construction & Maintenance, Display Gardens, Human Resources, Interpretive Gardens, and Living Plant Documentation. You will work under supervision and also receive... Read more
Requisition Number: 719
Overview: Participate in the Veteran Internship Program to create a plan for transitioning to the civilian workforce while working under supervision in a Garden department. Garden departments may include Accounting, Bonsai, Camp CBG, Construction & Maintenance, Display Gardens, Human Resources, Interpretive Gardens, and Living Plant Documentation. You will work under supervision and also receive... Read more
The Chicago Botanic Garden welcomes veterans to our workforce. At the Garden, where we are a leading provider of horticultural therapy services for veterans, we value the dedication of our nation's service members.
We believe that veterans add a unique perspective and bring valuable experience to the workforce. As part of our commitment to veterans, the Garden has joined the state of Illinois and other leading Illinois employers in the Illinois Hires Heroes Consortium (IHHC). Consortium members agree to implement programs to recruit, train, and retain veterans; we will list jobs on sites including Hero2Hired (H2H), a site aimed at helping veterans find jobs. We have completed training to help us understand military skills and how that experience can be applied to our work at the Garden.
We encourage veterans to apply for internships, as well as full- and part-time employment.
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, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, 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.