Title: Plants of Concern Program Assistant

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Conservation Projects

Reports to: Manager, Plants of Concern

Year-Round Full-time

Supervises: Interns, Volunteers

Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

2025 Chicago Botanic Garden Benefit Guide - Year-Round Full-time

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.

Osition Overview

This entry level, full-time, 40 hours per week position involves assisting the Plants of Concern program, a widely recognized community science rare plant monitoring program. The office is based at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

Collecting field monitoring data
- Counting or estimating number of individuals in rare plant populations, measuring population areas, recording GPS locations, identifying associate and invasive plants, and identifying threats and management
- Identifying plants
Helping to recruit, train, and coordinate volunteer monitors
Organizing and leading volunteer field events
Creating and distributing program communications (newsletter, social media)
Entering, managing, and analyzing monitoring data
Managing and analyzing spatial data
Assisting with reporting to partner agencies and grant funders
Presenting work accomplished

January through May: Assist with preparations for landowner meetings across northeastern Illinois, including working with the Plants of Concern database and website to prepare materials and attend meetings. Help finalize reports to funders and secure permits. Perform data management. Develop field schedule and begin monitoring.

May through September:Help develop assignments for and provide support to volunteer monitors. Organize field outings. Assist with intern supervision. Monitor plants in the field.

October through December:Assist with organizing monitoring data and database development. Enter data and conduct statistical analysis for presentation at an advisory group meeting and in grant reports. Use GIS to map population locations and other spatial data. Help finalize Plants of Concern reports. Contribute to website and database development and maintenance.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

Bachelor of science in ecology, botany, biological sciences, or related background.
Master’s level coursework or equivalent experience a plus.
Excellent organizational skills.
Ability to work well independently as well as on a team.
Ability to communicate effectively with a large, diverse group of volunteers and staff.
Plant identification skills, including use of a dichotomous key.
Love of outdoor work.
Experience in plant monitoring or field research.
Experience with the Microsoft Office suite.
Basic statistical and GIS software experience (R & ArcGIS experience a plus).
Experience with database software (Access or SQL) a plus.
Ability and willingness to travel within the Chicago region for field and office work.
A driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle required.
Availability for occasional weekend work.

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 traversing steep or otherwise difficult 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, and 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, 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.

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Plants of Concern Program Assistant