Research Assistant, Plants of Concern - FPCC

Title: Plants of Concern Research Assistant - Forest Preserves of Cook County

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Plant Science and Conservation

Reports to: Manager, Plants of Concern

Seasonal Full-time, 25 weeks. Anticipated to start April 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
• 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 Plants of Concern Research Assistant assignment will be 25-week, 40 hr/week position beginning in mid-April, involves monitoring rare plants in the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC) through the Plants of Concern (POC) program, a widely recognized community science program. The position is based at the Chicago Botanic Garden.  Duties include collecting field monitoring data, helping recruit and train volunteer monitors, entering/analyzing monitoring data, including GIS applications, and assisting with reports. The Research Assistant will have the opportunity to present accomplished work at a Plants of Concern volunteer event. 2-3 days of weekend work possible.

Responsibilities

In the Plants of Concern Research Assistant role, you will be responsible for the following:   

April through September  

• Develop schedule for fieldwork
• Recruit, engage, train, organize, and support community science volunteers
• Act as liaison between FPCC ecologists and stewards and POC staff regarding plant locations and volunteer assignments
• Conduct rare plant monitoring field work with volunteers and independently within the Forest Preserves of Cook County
• Conduct research project as directed by FPCC staff   
• Organize and enter data

October

• Complete data entry and analysis on multi-year dataset (using R statistical software) 
• Follow up with volunteers regarding report submission
• Follow up with site stewards on land management activities 
• Present accomplishments at a volunteer event
• Work with supervisor on annual report to submit to granting agency

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor of Science in ecology, botany, biological sciences, or related background 
• Plant ID skills, including use of a dichotomous key 
• Field experience in plant monitoring or field research
• Love of outdoor work 
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint 
• Basic statistical and GIS software experience (R & ArcGIS experience a plus)  
• Excellent organizational skills
• Interest in working with community science volunteers
• Ability to work well independently as well as on a team 
• Ability to communicate effectively with a large, diverse group of volunteers and staff
• A driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle
• Availability for occasional weekend work

Application Deadline: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until March 3, 2025

How to Apply: 
 In addition to the Chicago Botanic Garden application materials, please submit (1) a cover letter that includes why you are interested in this position and briefly outlines relevant experience and (2) a resume including contact information for three references. 

Physical Demands: 
 Field work involves walking over uneven terrain, or traversing distances of up to 2 miles while carrying equipment.  Bending, stooping, and kneeling are often necessary.   Field work may occur during hot weather when insects are active.  Office work involves sitting, standing, typing, using computers and copy machines.

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.