Conservation Research Coordinator - Resource

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Resource Part-Time Glencoe, IL, US

5 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $19.00 To $22.33 Hourly

Title: Conservation Research Coordinator – Dolomite Prairie and Slag Restoration

Exemption Status
:
Non-Exempt

Department
:
Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action

Reports to: Conservation Scientist

Resource, working approximately 10 - 15 hours per week (anticipated one year term position with the possibility of renewal based on program funding)

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

We are seeking a Conservation Research Coordinator to join the the Negaunee Institute's conservation science team at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This is a one-year, hourly resource position (with the possibility of renewal) beginning in July 2026. The coordinator will work closely with Chicago Botanic Garden scientists and partners at the Chicago Park District and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie on restoration and research projects focused on rare dolomite prairie habitats and urban slag landscapes.

This multi-year project investigates the ecology, community structure, and restoration of exposed alkaline substrate habitats, including remnant dolomite prairies and former industrial slag deposits. These habitats support a unique assemblage of native and rare species and provide an opportunity to develop science-based approaches for restoration and management. The coordinator will assist with field and laboratory research, project coordination, data management and analysis, report and manuscript preparation, and education and outreach activities.

The coordinator will also contribute to other ongoing projects within the conservation science…