Jobs at Chicago Botanic Garden (Now Hiring) — 3 open

Title: Field Trip Instructor

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department:  Youth Education

Reports to: Manager, Teacher and Student Programs

Resource: Scheduled on an as-needed basis

Resource employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

• Wellness initiative benefit, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Retirement plan
• 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: Teach field trip workshops for grades Pre-K through 12 that are phenomenon- and standards-based with an emphasis on plant science. Assist with prepping, maintaining, and cleaning up program materials, and greeting school groups. Programs occur in person and virtually depending on the season and are conducted both indoors and outdoors. This part-time resource position has varied hours depending on the time of year, with most hours mid-September through early November and late March through end of May.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:  

• Teach student field trip workshops for grades Pre-K through 12 on-site at the Chicago Botanic Garden (heaviest program months are March - May and September - November).
• Assist with planning and teaching bi-monthly homeschool field trip days on select Friday afternoons (December - March).
• Assist with teaching virtual field trip workshops for grades K through 12 (as scheduled, December - March).
• Set up and clean up field trip classrooms on workshop days.
• Assist with preparation and maintenance of program materials and supplies.
• Work closely with field trip volunteers to deliver programs.
• Attend and assist with workshop trainings for staff and volunteers.
• Assist with planning and evaluation of current and future field trip workshops.
• Other duties as assigned, including the possibility to assist with other youth education programs as interest and opportunity presents.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Must be available to work 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at least three weekdays each week, four to five days preferred, from mid-August through November and April through May, with the possibility of virtual field trips as scheduled December through March.
• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in education, science, or related field required.
• Minimum of one year experience in science and/or environmental education in a formal or informal education setting. Experience with hands-on methods and the Next Generation Science Standards preferred.
• Experience working with children from diverse backgrounds preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish) abilities a plus.
• Flexible and able to work in a fast-paced team environment using good communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.

Physical Demands: Must be comfortable working outdoors for a minimum of two hours in various temperatures and weather conditions and kinds of terrain (paved, gravel, lawn, and other garden surfaces); ability to stand and walk for up to four hours at a time; able to lift, carry, push, and/or pull 30 pounds.

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.