Ecological Restoration Technician, Natural Areas - Seasonal

Title: Ecological Restoration Technician, Natural Areas

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Native Habitats

Reports to: Program Manager

Seasonal Full-time, mid-April through early December 2025

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.

About our Natural Areas:

The Garden's natural areas encompass 60 percent of our 385-acre campus in Glencoe (located 25 miles north of Chicago). They represent prairie, woodland, and aquatic habitats, and are stewarded by a team of ecologists to support, showcase, and better understand the unique and diverse natural history of our region. We use stewardship techniques like prescribed burning and invasive species control to support the widest diversity of appropriate native species in each habitat type. We also encourage and support research, conducted in partnership with other staff in the Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action, and are dedicated to monitoring to assess long-term change and impacts of our stewardship efforts. The person in this role will spend a majority of their time in our shorelines, which weave our natural areas and formal gardens together. Five of our six miles of shorelines have been restored using bioengineering techniques and more than half a million native wetland plants (representing 250-plus species) to stabilize shoreline soils, increase resilience to flooding, improve water quality in our six lakes, and provide habitat for wildlife.

Position Overview:

These 12 seasonal positions begin mid-April. Individuals in this position will work with staff ecologists and volunteers who manage the natural areas to support native plant species diversity. Technicians will have the opportunity to learn how to identify and manage a wide range of both native and invasive plant species. They will gain knowledge about characteristics of prairie, woodland, and aquatic ecosystems and acquire skills required to manage these habitats. All technicians, under the guidance of Garden ecologists, will assist with stewardship in all of our natural areas including the prairie, woods, and the lakes and shorelines. On average, about 80 percent of the candidate's time will be focused on conducting hands-on stewardship in our natural areas.

They will also be part of our new career pathway program called the Stewardship and Ecology of Natural Areas (SENA) internship program, launched in 2023. As a participant in our SENA program, about 20 percent of the technician's time will be comprised of career development training. This will include activities such as scientific explorations that support the care of natural areas, inclusive leadership training, as well as other collaborative opportunities between internal and external partners. The employment term for these seasonal positions begins in mid-April and continues through early December. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Responsibilities:

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

Natural areas stewardship (average of 4 days a week):

• Assist in controlling invasive woody and herbaceous species in diverse native plant communities. This includes applying herbicides, cutting, and burning woody invasive species, digging, mowing, raking, and removing debris, and deadheading.
• Collect, clean, and disperse native seeds.
• Help maintain a native seed nursery (weeding, watering, planting).
• Prepare burn breaks and participate in prescribed burns.
• Operate small power tools including mowers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, weed whackers, and water pumps and use herbicide sprayers, backpack water tanks, and hand tools.
• Care for garden vehicles, tools, and machines.
• Coordinate with Garden personnel (e.g., mechanics) related to work responsibilities.

Training and career development (average of 1 day per week; training hours may be non-consecutive):

• Work with SENA program manager and Garden staff to set and work toward learning goals that will support continued career development.
• With other SENA participants, Garden staff, as well as other external partners, participate in workshops, training sessions, and one-on-one or team-based projects to enhance skills and expertise in target areas.
• Assist with native species monitoring and other projects conducted in collaboration with department scientists, students, and other staff.

Other:

Assist with algae and macrophyte removal on the lakes and shorelines utilizing motorized john boats, as well as trail maintenance and litter collection throughout the natural areas and adjoining spaces.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• At least one growing season of working experience including natural areas restoration or conservation work, or related experience working outdoors over a range of conditions.
• Experience with or an interest in learning plant species of the Chicago region, including the use of dichotomous keys to identify plant species.
• Possess or be willing to obtain an Illinois pesticide applicator license and a prescribed burning certification.
• A proven strong work ethic.
• An ability to function well in both team and individual work situations.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Possess a high comfort level being in and around water along with an ability to swim should the need arise in an emergency.
• A valid driver's license and a good driving record.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.

Physical Demands: Standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, including outdoors in inclement weather. Exposure to poison ivy, bees, ticks, mosquitoes, pollen, other potential allergens, and wildlife. Listening and speaking in group settings. Must be able to lift and carry up to 60 pounds.

To Apply: To apply, submit an application and upload a resume. Please do not submit a cover letter; instead, complete the three questions provided as part of the application. Application reviews will begin on January 13, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. This job posting will close on January 31, 2025.

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.