Bonsai Assistant

Title: Bonsai Assistant

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Plant Collections

Reports to: Bonsai Curator

Seasonal Full-time, approximately 9 months

• 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 bonsai seasonal assistant position will provide experience in public bonsai collection management. They will help in the day-to-day care of one of the largest bonsai collections in the country, working under the direction of the curator. After a period of training, the assistant will be responsible for independent care of the bonsai collection in both the grow-out facility and display areas. This opportunity includes a 40-hour work week, five days per week, and does require weekend work. The seasonal position is anticipated to start in March and end in November. The work week will be Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with some holiday coverage within those days.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Assisting with the day-to-day care of the bonsai collection to include watering, weeding, repotting, pruning, preparing trees for display, and all other aspects of collections maintenance.
• Assisting with the documentation and inventory of the bonsai collection.
• Daily cleaning and preparing the bonsai on display in the Regenstein Center courtyards.
• Working closely with volunteers to accomplish the developmental goals of the collection.
• Safely move delicate and sometimes heavy trees around the Garden.
• Prepared to work outside in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, and rain.
• Covering the watering needs of the collection.
• Communicating effectively with curator, volunteers, and visitors.
• Other projects/tasks assigned as needed.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Though extensive training is not required, candidates who demonstrate an understanding of the art of bonsai and the skills to create and maintain them are desired.
• While a degree is not expected, candidates with knowledge and experience in horticulture, sciences, or arts are desired.
• Understanding of plant care and plant health.
• Be detail-oriented and driven to follow instructions.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Physical Demands:

The person in this position will be required to work both indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions. Lifting, pushing, or pulling items up to 30 pounds will frequently be required during daily maintenance of the collection. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and use of 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, 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.