Horticulturist Fruit & Vegetable Garden Obama Presidential Ctr

Title: Horticulturist, Fruit & Vegetable Garden at Obama Presidential Center

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Windy City Harvest

Reports to: Senior Manager, Garden Partnerships

Year‑Round Full‑time – Funded through a multi‑year program contract (continued employment contingent on ongoing program funding)

Indirectly Supervises: Trainees

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

• 2026 A Guide to Your Benefits JP.pdf

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.

Under the direction of the Senior Manager of Garden Partnerships, we are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Horticulturist to support in the care, cultivation, and interpretation of our display vegetable garden at the Obama Presidential Center (OPC). The garden will operate 7 days a week from March to October. This position combines hands‑on horticulture with public education and engagement, showcasing sustainable growing practices and seasonal food production to a diverse audience.

• Under the direction of the Senior Manager of Garden Partnerships, use organic and sustainable methods to maintain the Eleanor Roosevelt Vegetable Garden through weeding, watering, crop rotation, deadheading, fertilizing, planting, transplanting, pruning, winterizing, trellising, releasing beneficial insects, removing debris, picking up trash, etc.
• Operate and maintain inventory of tools and equipment.
• Coordinate, monitor, and implement the maintenance programs to ensure proper care, growth, and development of the plant displays.
• Assist in design, select and order plants, plan, and coordinate for the installation of annual displays.
• Implement the integrated pest management program for the garden and keep accurate records of any pesticide applications as applicable.
• Identify and report any quality assurance issues to Senior Manager of Garden Partnerships.
• Transport plants, plant materials, and supplies from the Chicago Botanic Garden, Farm on Ogden, and/or contracted vendors.
• Make and label all plants for display and all new plant material in a timely manner.
• Serve as a horticultural information resource for the Obama Presidential Center.
• Support Windy City Harvest program, providing urban agriculture education for trainees from August to October.
• Harvest and pack vegetables in compliance with Good Agricultural Practices and Food Safety standards.
• Work with the Senior Manager of Garden Partnerships to manage the department budget.
• Serve as back up in notifying OPC building maintenance or designated contact for necessary repairs for the garden.
• Attend Windy City Harvest meetings and events.
• Other duties as…