Employment
Applications are accepted online only via employment@chicagobotanic.org. We are unable to accept any in-person or phone calls related to updates on application status or timelines. Anticipated dates to fill positions are to be determined. We thank you for your patience.
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
Allotment and Contracts Coordinator - Windy City Harvest (Chicago, IL)
Requisition Number: 832
Overview: Windy City Harvest is looking for a coordinator to oversee, program, and maintain the Legends South, West Haven, and City Gardens allotment gardens, along with several community partner contracts. The coordinator will assist residents with growing their own food in the allotment garden spaces and educate the community during regular garden-based and therapeutic horticulture workshops. This is a... Read more
Requisition Number: 832
Overview: Windy City Harvest is looking for a coordinator to oversee, program, and maintain the Legends South, West Haven, and City Gardens allotment gardens, along with several community partner contracts. The coordinator will assist residents with growing their own food in the allotment garden spaces and educate the community during regular garden-based and therapeutic horticulture workshops. This is a... Read more
Aquatic Plant Harvester Operator
Requisition Number: 809
Overview: The Chicago Botanic Garden is looking for a mechanically adept seasonal candidate who has the ability and desire to perform strenuous outdoor work in a variety of inclement weather conditions (e.g. rain, heat, cold) to operate our aquatic plant harvester in summer 2021, and ideally in subsequent years. Located 25 miles north of downtown Chicago, the Garden's 385-acre campus includes 60 acres... Read more
Requisition Number: 809
Overview: The Chicago Botanic Garden is looking for a mechanically adept seasonal candidate who has the ability and desire to perform strenuous outdoor work in a variety of inclement weather conditions (e.g. rain, heat, cold) to operate our aquatic plant harvester in summer 2021, and ideally in subsequent years. Located 25 miles north of downtown Chicago, the Garden's 385-acre campus includes 60 acres... Read more
Aquatic Plant Maintenance (A-F)
Requisition Number: 810
Overview: Over the past 20 years, one 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,... Read more
Requisition Number: 810
Overview: Over the past 20 years, one 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,... Read more
Butterflies & Blooms Exhibition Facilitator
Requisition Number: 843
Overview: Facilitates the interpretation of the Butterflies & Blooms exhibition. The exhibition facilitator ensures exceptional visitor experiences by organizing the volunteers and supporting positive visitor interaction. This is a seasonal, full-time position anticipated to start mid-May 2021 and anticipated to end mid-September 2021, working five days a week, with the possibility of covering a... Read more
Requisition Number: 843
Overview: Facilitates the interpretation of the Butterflies & Blooms exhibition. The exhibition facilitator ensures exceptional visitor experiences by organizing the volunteers and supporting positive visitor interaction. This is a seasonal, full-time position anticipated to start mid-May 2021 and anticipated to end mid-September 2021, working five days a week, with the possibility of covering a... Read more
Camp Counselor A-C
Requisition Number: 835
Overview: Assist with daily camper drop-off and pick up, serve as instructional aide, and help with lunch supervision. Camp CBG is a specialized program of the Education Department that focuses on the development, delivery, and evaluation of outdoor science-, nature-, and art-based educational programs children ages 4 – 12. This is a 6.5 hours per day, seasonal position (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to... Read more
Requisition Number: 835
Overview: Assist with daily camper drop-off and pick up, serve as instructional aide, and help with lunch supervision. Camp CBG is a specialized program of the Education Department that focuses on the development, delivery, and evaluation of outdoor science-, nature-, and art-based educational programs children ages 4 – 12. This is a 6.5 hours per day, seasonal position (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to... Read more
Camp Operations Assistant
Requisition Number: 834
Overview: Assist in all aspects of management of Camp CBG, with a focus on day-to-day logistics. Camp CBG is a specialized program of the Education Department that focuses on the development, delivery, and evaluation of outdoor science-, nature-, and art-based educational programs children ages 4 – 12. This is a seasonal, full-time position from June 7 through August 20, 2021. Schedule is Monday through... Read more
Requisition Number: 834
Overview: Assist in all aspects of management of Camp CBG, with a focus on day-to-day logistics. Camp CBG is a specialized program of the Education Department that focuses on the development, delivery, and evaluation of outdoor science-, nature-, and art-based educational programs children ages 4 – 12. This is a seasonal, full-time position from June 7 through August 20, 2021. Schedule is Monday through... Read more
Ecological Restoration Technician
Requisition Number: 823
Overview: Assist in the management of two of the Garden’s natural areas: a 15-acre prairie reconstruction (exhibits six different types of prairie communities found in northeastern Illinois) and a mile-long urban river reach with an adjoining 22 acres of developing wetlands, prairie, and savanna. This position involves physically demanding work for extended periods of time. Typical work responsibilities... Read more
Requisition Number: 823
Overview: Assist in the management of two of the Garden’s natural areas: a 15-acre prairie reconstruction (exhibits six different types of prairie communities found in northeastern Illinois) and a mile-long urban river reach with an adjoining 22 acres of developing wetlands, prairie, and savanna. This position involves physically demanding work for extended periods of time. Typical work responsibilities... Read more
Farm Production Crew Leader A-C (Chicago, IL)
Requisition Number: 822
Overview: Join a team of dedicated, mission-driven, urban farmers to oversee a crew in the Windy City Harvest Corps job-training program. WCHC is looking for three farm production crew leaders who are self-motivated with high energy for day-to-day manual labor and prepared for hard work. Experience working with adults returning to or entering the workforce is necessary. The ideal candidate for these... Read more
Requisition Number: 822
Overview: Join a team of dedicated, mission-driven, urban farmers to oversee a crew in the Windy City Harvest Corps job-training program. WCHC is looking for three farm production crew leaders who are self-motivated with high energy for day-to-day manual labor and prepared for hard work. Experience working with adults returning to or entering the workforce is necessary. The ideal candidate for these... Read more
Postdoctoral Researcher
Requisition Number: 820
Overview: The postdoctoral researcher hired for this short-term position will contribute to ongoing efforts to reconstruct phylogenies of Onagraceae at multiple taxonomic levels. Data collection has already been completed, and DNA sequence data (target enrichment for over 300 nuclear genes) is available for over 600 taxa. Phylogenomic analyses are underway; the postdoc hired will assist in implementing... Read more
Requisition Number: 820
Overview: The postdoctoral researcher hired for this short-term position will contribute to ongoing efforts to reconstruct phylogenies of Onagraceae at multiple taxonomic levels. Data collection has already been completed, and DNA sequence data (target enrichment for over 300 nuclear genes) is available for over 600 taxa. Phylogenomic analyses are underway; the postdoc hired will assist in implementing... Read more
Tour Guide (A-E)
Requisition Number: 837
Overview: As an ambassador of the Chicago Botanic Garden and its mission, the ideal candidate has a friendly, outgoing demeanor and exceptional communications and customer-relations skills. Part of Visitor Services, the tour guide narrates a 40-minute scripted tour to adults and children when driving a 76-passenger or 18-passenger open-air tram or walking on designated routes throughout the Garden. The... Read more
Requisition Number: 837
Overview: As an ambassador of the Chicago Botanic Garden and its mission, the ideal candidate has a friendly, outgoing demeanor and exceptional communications and customer-relations skills. Part of Visitor Services, the tour guide narrates a 40-minute scripted tour to adults and children when driving a 76-passenger or 18-passenger open-air tram or walking on designated routes throughout the Garden. The... Read more
Visitor Assistant (A-E)
Requisition Number: 836
Overview: As part of Visitor Services, the ideal candidate has exceptional communications and customer-relations skills, providing an outstanding first impression while creating a positive and memorable experience for Chicago Botanic Garden visitors. The visitor assistant and cashier provides support for Garden exhibitions and events through a welcoming greeting, timely and accurate ticket sales using... Read more
Requisition Number: 836
Overview: As part of Visitor Services, the ideal candidate has exceptional communications and customer-relations skills, providing an outstanding first impression while creating a positive and memorable experience for Chicago Botanic Garden visitors. The visitor assistant and cashier provides support for Garden exhibitions and events through a welcoming greeting, timely and accurate ticket sales using... Read more
Year-Round
Assistant Grower, Nursery
Requisition Number: 850
Overview: Assist nursery and greenhouse staff in day-to-day greenhouse and nursery operations, with a focus on nursery duties. Help with plant deliveries to garden areas as needed. 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. Assist with the organization and hardening off... Read more
Requisition Number: 850
Overview: Assist nursery and greenhouse staff in day-to-day greenhouse and nursery operations, with a focus on nursery duties. Help with plant deliveries to garden areas as needed. 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. Assist with the organization and hardening off... Read more
Operations Assistant – Part-time
Requisition Number: 840
Overview: Perform all aspects of membership payment processing and data entry for the Membership Department. This is a part-time position with a flexible schedule during the weekday, working around 25 hours a week.
Requisition Number: 840
Overview: Perform all aspects of membership payment processing and data entry for the Membership Department. This is a part-time position with a flexible schedule during the weekday, working around 25 hours a week.
Operations Associate, Member and Donor
Requisition Number: 847
Overview: To assist with all gift processing, gift reporting, gift fulfillment and related special projects for the Member and Donor Services Department. This is a full-time position scheduled to work Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Requisition Number: 847
Overview: To assist with all gift processing, gift reporting, gift fulfillment and related special projects for the Member and Donor Services Department. This is a full-time position scheduled to work Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Plants of Concern Research Assistant - Entry Level
Requisition Number: 846
Overview: This is an entry-level, full-time, Monday to Friday, 40 hour per week position, involves assisting the Plants of Concern program, a widely recognized community science rare plant monitoring program. The office is based at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Requisition Number: 846
Overview: This is an entry-level, full-time, Monday to Friday, 40 hour per week position, involves assisting the Plants of Concern program, a widely recognized community science rare plant monitoring program. The office is based at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Postdoctoral Researcher (Amsonia)
Requisition Number: 819
Overview: We seek to hire a postdoctoral researcher to help in leading a project assessing pollination, reproductive biology, population genetics/genomics, and phylogenomics. The ideal applicant is a motivated, independent researcher with strong analytic and communication skills, a commitment to learning new skills, and shares our interests in applying these skills to questions related to conservation of... Read more
Requisition Number: 819
Overview: We seek to hire a postdoctoral researcher to help in leading a project assessing pollination, reproductive biology, population genetics/genomics, and phylogenomics. The ideal applicant is a motivated, independent researcher with strong analytic and communication skills, a commitment to learning new skills, and shares our interests in applying these skills to questions related to conservation of... Read more
Postdoctoral Researcher – Urban Ecology
Requisition Number: 839
Overview: We seek to hire a postdoctoral researcher to work at the Chicago Botanic Garden in partnership with the Nature Conservancy to harvest and map open-sourced community science data submitted through Budburst and iNaturalist applications in Cook and Lake Counties (IL), as well as existing collections data from local herbaria and animal collections. This project has two major goals: determining how... Read more
Requisition Number: 839
Overview: We seek to hire a postdoctoral researcher to work at the Chicago Botanic Garden in partnership with the Nature Conservancy to harvest and map open-sourced community science data submitted through Budburst and iNaturalist applications in Cook and Lake Counties (IL), as well as existing collections data from local herbaria and animal collections. This project has two major goals: determining how... Read more
Rodeo Farm Coordinator, Windy City Harvest (Chicago, IL)
Requisition Number: 815
Overview: Windy City Harvest is looking for a coordinator to oversee our Rodeo Farm located at 26th Place and Rockwell in Chicago and assist with AVI Farm production at the Arturo Velasquez Institute. Rodeo is an intensive 1-acre production farm and 1-acre composting operation that also houses a small apiary, 1,200-square-foot hoophouse, milkweed research project, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County... Read more
Requisition Number: 815
Overview: Windy City Harvest is looking for a coordinator to oversee our Rodeo Farm located at 26th Place and Rockwell in Chicago and assist with AVI Farm production at the Arturo Velasquez Institute. Rodeo is an intensive 1-acre production farm and 1-acre composting operation that also houses a small apiary, 1,200-square-foot hoophouse, milkweed research project, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County... Read more
Sales Coordinator - Windy City Harvest (Chicago, IL)
Requisition Number: 838
Overview: The Windy City Harvest sales coordinator is responsible for the internal accounting, tracking, depositing and budget tracking of earned revenue (produce sales, workshops, courses, tours, events, contracts) of all Windy City Harvest farm sites, and training program participants and staff in procedures related to sales, food safety compliance, and harvest efficiency. This position is integral to... Read more
Requisition Number: 838
Overview: The Windy City Harvest sales coordinator is responsible for the internal accounting, tracking, depositing and budget tracking of earned revenue (produce sales, workshops, courses, tours, events, contracts) of all Windy City Harvest farm sites, and training program participants and staff in procedures related to sales, food safety compliance, and harvest efficiency. This position is integral to... Read more
Youth Farm Coordinator, Farm on Ogden (A-B)
Requisition Number: 812
Overview: For almost 20 years, the Windy City Harvest Youth Farm has served as a vital youth-development program for high school students in and around the city of Chicago. This summer employment opportunity exposes youth to various issues around local food systems and nurtures leadership and community engagement through paid employment on an urban farm. The Program Coordinator plays a pivotal role in... Read more
Requisition Number: 812
Overview: For almost 20 years, the Windy City Harvest Youth Farm has served as a vital youth-development program for high school students in and around the city of Chicago. This summer employment opportunity exposes youth to various issues around local food systems and nurtures leadership and community engagement through paid employment on an urban farm. The Program Coordinator plays a pivotal role in... Read more
Paid Internship
Veteran Interns (Veteran Internship Program)
Requisition Number: 808
Overview: Work under supervision in Garden Department while participating in the Veteran Internship Program to create a plan for transitioning to the civilian workforce. This is a seasonal Veteran Internship with an anticipated dates of May to August 2021, working approximately 30 hours a week.
Requisition Number: 808
Overview: Work under supervision in Garden Department while participating in the Veteran Internship Program to create a plan for transitioning to the civilian workforce. This is a seasonal Veteran Internship with an anticipated dates of May to August 2021, working approximately 30 hours a week.
Windy City Harvest Youth Farm Intern (Chicago, IL)
Requisition Number: 842
Overview: Work with Chicago’s most innovative sustainable urban agriculture team, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest Youth Farm. The Youth Farm interns will work as part of a dedicated, energetic team at one of our sustainable farms, working alongside high school students to produce sustainably grown food in Waukegan, North Lawndale, and Washington Park. Youth Farm participants learn about... Read more
Requisition Number: 842
Overview: Work with Chicago’s most innovative sustainable urban agriculture team, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest Youth Farm. The Youth Farm interns will work as part of a dedicated, energetic team at one of our sustainable farms, working alongside high school students to produce sustainably grown food in Waukegan, North Lawndale, and Washington Park. Youth Farm participants learn about... 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.
EEO is the Law & Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision Poster