Intern, Horticulture - Kris S. Jarantoski

Title: Intern, Horticulture - Kris S. Jarantoski

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Horticulture Operations Administration

Reports to: Senior Director, Horticulture

Seasonal Full-time, anticipated to start May 2025 for approximately six months

Seasonal Full-time employees with a six or more month assignment and scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for the following Benefits:

• 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.

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 intern will gain broad based experience with a focus on horticulture in public garden operations to develop skills required to become a future botanic garden leader. Specific duties will change throughout the internship as the intern rotates through different Garden departments. Assigned areas may include nursery and greenhouse plant production, plant health care, horticulture maintenance and operations, plant collections documentation and mapping, visitor programs and events, administration, fund raising, adult and children's education and volunteer services. Attend regular staff meetings, intern field trips and weekly intern meetings with guest speakers to learn about general Garden operations.

This six-month internship position is anticipated to begin in May 2025 and scheduled to work 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m during the week day and Saturday.

RESPONSIBILITIES

In this intern role you will be responsible for the following:

• Assist horticulturists and plant health care staff with routine garden maintenance including weeding, watering, pruning, mowing, planting, deadheading, grooming perennials, spraying, mulching, labeling, fertilizing, and removing debris.
• Assist plant production staff with transplanting, watering, weeding, sowing seeds, taking cuttings, spacing pots, pinching, fertilizing, potting, delivering plants, pruning, and staking.
• Attend design reviews of display gardens and grounds and reviews of proposed annual displays for displays when possible.
• Duties as assigned by other departments.
• Prepare and present a 15 to 20-minute lecture on your internship experience or lead a tour through an assigned area for the horticulture staff.

Qualifications:

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Ability to work six months anticipated to start in May.
• Be enrolled in a college horticulture program or related field with an interest in garden maintenance. Candidates within a year of their graduation will also be considered.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Physical Demands:
Some requirements for lifting, pushing, pulling items up to 50 lbs. Work outside in all types of weather. Some work on stepladders.

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.