Assistant Horticulturist Obama Presidential Center, Chicago, IL
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Assistant Horticulturist, Fruit & Vegetable Garden at Obama Presidential Center (Chicago, IL)
Exemption Status: Non-exempt
Department: Windy City Harvest
Reports to: Senior Manager of Garden Partnerships
Seasonal, Full-time Anticipated to start in April 2026 for approximately 33 weeks
Directly Supervises: None
Indirectly Supervises: Trainees
Seasonal Full-time benefit eligible employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for the following Benefits:
2026 A Guide to Your Benefits Seasonal FTBE JP.pdf
Compensation Philosophy:
At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.
Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.
The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate’s qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate’s salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual’s contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.
Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.
Position Overview:
Under the direction of the senior manager of Garden Partnerships, we are seeking a passionate seasonal assistant horticulturist to support and assist in the care and cultivation of our display vegetable garden at Obama Presidential Center. The garden will operate seven days a week from March to October. The position is hands-on horticulture, showcasing sustainable growing practices and seasonal food production to a diverse audience. Scheduled to work 30 hours per week Wednesday through Sunday.
Responsibilities
In this role you will be responsible for the following:
- Under the direction of the senior manager of Garden Partnerships, use organic and sustainable methods to maintain the Eleanor Roosevelt Vegetable Garden through weeding, watering, crop rotation deadheading, fertilizing, planting, transplanting, pruning, winterizing, trellising, releasing beneficial insects, removing debris, etc.
- Provide supervisor with weekly information on current plantings, crop rotation, transplanting, and plant removals.
- Identify and report quality assurance issues such as weeds, diseases, insects, or other animal issues to supervisor.
- Use safe and proper techniques when using tools and equipment.
- Label all plants for display in a timely manner.
- Transport plants, plant material, and supplies from the Chicago Botanic Garden, Farm on Ogden, and or contracted vendors.
- Serve as a horticultural resource for the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) answering visitor and staff questions.
- Harvest and pack in compliance with Good Agricultural Practices and Food Safety standards.
- Participate in Windy City Harvest meetings and events.
Qualifications
Our ideal candidate will have the following:
- Three years of experience in landscape maintenance and construction of landscape beds and plantings required.
- Completed horticulture training program, taken classes in gardening, or commensurate experience required.
- Competency in general landscape maintenance and construction of landscape beds.
- Ability to work independently, under the direction of the supervising horticulturist.
- Ability to speak, read, and write basic English; some level of Spanish is a plus.
- Basic level of computer skills, especially Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) for interdepartmental documentation and communication.
- A current, valid driver’s license and ability to be insurable by the Garden.
Physical Demands:
Staff must be able to work in all weather conditions. The role involves frequent lifting, standing, walking, and bending. Daily tasks will include operating small farm machinery and post-harvest handling equipment. Staff are required to lift, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds. This position also involves completing daily written paperwork and using office equipment
Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.
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, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the 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. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.
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