Assistant Grower

Title: Assistant Grower

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Plant Production

Reports to: Plant Production Manager

Seasonal Full-time, 9 months, anticipated through November 2026

Supervises: Volunteers, Interns

Seasonal Full-time employees with a six or more month assignment and scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for the following Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (HSA), Life & AD&D insurance, Legal Shield, Commuter Reimbursement, Wellness initiative benefit, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Retirement plan
• Personal days, Holidays, Holiday Thank you pay
• Garden membership - free to employees at Household Plus level
• Discounts to Garden Shop, Cafe, Garden-sponsored educational classes
• Employee events such as Orchid show, Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns, Lightscape employee & friends preview night

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:

The Assistant Grower will 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. Assist with pesticide applications, and weekly Integrated Pest Management (IPM) control and scouting. One weekend day will be part of the normal workweek, and the position will require the person to work independently on that day with minimal supervision.

This position works in a world-class greenhouse and nursery facility built in 2017. It is one of the largest production operations for a public garden in the United States.

Responsibilities

In the Assistant Grower role, you will be responsible for the following:

• Assist Plant Production staff in growing plants through mixing soil, transplanting, thinning plugs, repotting, spacing, weeding, pruning, watering, fertilizing and sanitizing
• Work one weekend day and scheduled holidays under the direction of the Plant Production staff
• Serve as a team member of the department's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program including weekly bio releases and inform staff with insect and disease issues as observed
• Keep work and storage areas clean and organized
• Assist production staff with the delivery of plants to garden and grounds areas
• Apply pesticides to crops and growing areas as assigned to support the IPM program
• Support the department's sanitation program with weekly disinfectant sprays and floor washing as required

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• General horticultural knowledge required, with greenhouse and nursery experience preferred, a minimum of 1 year of related work experience is desired
• General knowledge of small tools and equipment
• Able to work for 9 months including one weekend day per workweek
• A valid driver's license and insurable by the Chicago Horticultural Society
• Must have or be able to obtain an Illinois Pesticide Operator's license through the IL Dept. of Agriculture for chemical applications
• Good written and verbal communication skills

Physical Demands:

Must be able to lift, push, pull, and carry items up to 50 pounds. Must be able to climb ladders and step stools. Must be able to work outside for long periods of time during all types of weather conditions as needed. Must be able to spend long periods of time standing during the day and sometimes sitting as well.

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.