Visitor Events and Interpretation Associate

Title: Visitor Events & Interpretation Associate 

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Interpretation, Visitor Events & Programs

Reports to: Manager of Interpretation, Coordinator of Visitor Events & Programs

Seasonal Full-time, anticipated start May 2025 for 5 months: 2 positions available to cover 7 days per week

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 Visitor Events & Interpretation Associate will:

• Assist with execution of a variety of events and shows within the Visitor Events & Programs department including Music on the Esplanade, Morning Music, the American Flower Show Series, the Garden Chef Series, Butterflies & Blooms, and themed/festival weekends;
   
• Support the Interpretation department in the development of exhibition content and interpretive signage, as well as the implementation of interpretive programs;
   
• Interact with staff, volunteers, and visitors in wide-ranging garden areas;
   
• Complete office tasks, including data management, materials ordering, and other responsibilities related to program management.

This position offers a substantive hands-on opportunity for emerging professionals interested in public programming, informal education, or cultural arts programming.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:  

Visitor Events: 

• Music on the Esplanade and Morning Music
  1. Create and install signage, meet and load-in performers, coordinate with internal staff and volunteers, and oversee performances.
• American Flower Show Series
  1. Follow procedure to implement weekend shows offered by a range of plant and flower societies; work with show chairs and internal staff/volunteers. 
• Garden Chef Series/Fruit & Vegetable Garden themed weekends 
  1. Work with staff to implement twice-monthly open air cooking demonstrations and two themed weekends: Herb Garden Weekend (June) and Heirloom Fest: Tomatoes and More (August).
• Butterflies & Blooms exhibition 
  1. Cover shifts in live butterfly exhibition as assigned; serve as exhibit facilitator and oversee volunteer team as needed. 

Interpretation: 

• Walking Tours 
  1. Lead tours as feasible; coordinate volunteer tour shifts; manage administrative duties related to tour operations.
• Fruit & Vegetable Garden Discovery Programs/Plant Giveaway
  1. Work with interpretive volunteers to oversee and prioritize Plant Giveaway program; offer additional discovery carts such as Bees, Container Gardening, etc., as possible. 

Both Departments:

• Summer Exhibition and Program Coordination
  1. Assist with development, organization, implementation, and evaluation of programs and exhibits aligned with summer theme. 
• Coordinate and interact with staff, volunteers, and visitors throughout the Garden’s Glencoe campus. 
• Complete office tasks, including sign management, research, email communications, materials ordering and organization, and data entry.
• Work assigned regular schedule: either Tuesday through Saturday OR Sunday through Thursday.
  1. Coordinate with staff to help cover for other Associate as needed (not to exceed 5 days per week).
  2. Schedule includes some evenings and holidays as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.
   

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Availability from mid-May to the end of September. There is flexibility on start/end timing. If schedules allow, work can begin late April and continue through early November. 
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, organizational, and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Experience or interest in public gardens, museum studies, environmental studies, horticulture, or related fields.
• At least 1 year (cumulative) working in a public-facing job with diverse visitors—ideally in a nature-based or cultural space. 
• Experience working with and/or managing volunteers. 
• Experience with basic informational research. 
• Bilingual (Spanish) abilities a plus. 
• Flexible mindset and ability to work in a fast-paced, complex environment with varied projects, people, and garden areas.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. 

Physical Demands: 

Position requires periods of walking and standing with moderate lifting, pushing, or pulling (up to approximately 35 pounds). Most of the work is conducted outside, rain or shine. Some work is done in an office setting. Use of office equipment includes computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and laminators. 

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.