Community Liaison

Title: Community Liaison

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Education

Reports to: Community Science Programs Manager

Seasonal Full-time, 15 weeks. Anticipated to start mid-May 2025.

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
• Garden 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 Community Liaison will support community recruitment, communication, and training efforts for Budburst, a community science program focused on plant data collection. Budburst engages more than 36,000 community scientists across all 50 states and internationally to contribute to plant-related research. Locally, the program partners with organizations such as the Chicago Public Library and the Forest Preserves of Cook County to train new community scientists.

The Community Liaison will play a key role in scheduling and leading training workshops, managing communications with partners and participants, and supporting Budburst events and initiatives. This role will also include creating resources for Budburst users and contributing to data collection efforts. Training on Budburst’s research projects and data collection methods will be provided.

Responsibilities

In the Community Liaison role, you will be responsible for the following:   

• Collaborate with the Community Science programs manager to promote the Budburst program at events and within the Garden.
• Lead training workshops and webinars for community partners and the public.
• Provide support to community organizations and Budburst users via email, phone, and Zoom.
• Create educational resources for Budburst users, in coordination with the Community Science programs manager.
• Promote data collection on phenology (the study of plant life cycles) through increased observations on the Budburst website.
• Assist with social media, website updates, and other project-related tasks as needed.

Qualifications
 Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• At least one year of experience in public speaking, leading workshops, and engaging families and the public.
• Proficiency in creating flyers, instructions, or other communication materials using design tools like Canva, PowerPoint, or similar software.
• Spanish language skills are a plus.
• Familiarity with plants and gardening, or a strong interest in learning.
• Interest or experience in community science or citizen science programs.
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to transport workshop supplies (vehicle not required).

Physical Demands: 

Travel to workshop locations and work outdoors, particularly in summer. The role involves frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, speaking, and keyboarding. Occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling of items up to 40 pounds. Active gardening and teaching activities, including tasks like digging, planting, and shoveling. Use of office equipment, including computers, phones, copiers, and scanners.

To Apply: 

In addition to the application, please submit a Resume or CV and a 300 word limit answer on the question on the application in lieu of a cover letter: Why are you interested in and qualified for this role? Please include past experiences that have prepared you for this role and how this role will help you move forward in your career.

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.