Groundskeeper Seasonal

Title: Groundskeeper

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Grounds

Reports to: Manager Grounds

Seasonal Full-time approximately 22 weeks

Seasonal Full-time employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for the following Benefits:

• Wellness initiative benefit Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Retirement plan
• 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 1000 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 candidates 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 candidates 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 individuals 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 Gardens 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 close supervision from a full-time lead the Groundskeeper seasonal is an entry-level position that:

Performs general landscaping and grounds maintenance consisting primarily of manual labor.

Works primarily with a small crew but alone at times.

Assists with special projects including public programs and other support.

Works occasional evenings weekends and holidays as requested.

Works in different Display Gardens and Grounds areas during the season as assigned.

While no prior experience is required a willingness to do physical work in the field and learn basic landscaping techniques and follow instructions closely is essential.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

Working under close supervision and following direct instructions to learn and complete general landscape maintenance which includes weeding watering mulching planting and transplanting raking digging and edging.

General clean-up and maintenance such as picking up trash and landscape waste removing refuse tidying up tool and equipment storage areas cleaning paths and maintaining tools.

Reporting any tool or equipment problems to Manager Grounds.

Assisting with indoors with projects such as shop organization and greenhouse work when weather prohibits outdoor work and as assigned.

Assisting with support for public programs and other projects as needed.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

General knowledge of small tools used in landscape maintenance preferred.

Some landscape maintenance experience is preferred.

Willingness to do physical work in the field and learn basic landscaping techniques.

Interest in learning basic gardening skills as evidenced by participation in training sessions or asking questions about plant care.

Interest in learning to identify basic weeds through training and guidance from experienced staff/supervisor.

Ability to communicate at a basic level for instructions and reporting in English or Spanish.

A current/valid drivers license to operate motor vehicles including golf cart and insurable by the Garden is preferred but not required.

Physical Demands:

Must be able to lift push pull and carry items up to 50 pounds. Must be able and willing to work outdoors in all types of weather. Must be comfortable working on slopes and step ladders.

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 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.