Contract Beekeeper

Position Overview:

As a Planet Bee Foundation Beekeeper, you will play an important role in managing honeybee hives located at corporate and community apiaries participating in our Adopt-A-Hive Program. The Beekeeper will work with the Program Director and Program Manager to install and maintain honey bee colonies at apiaries in Northern Illinois and complete colony and bee health reports.

Beekeepers will be expected to visit apiary sites approximately once per month. Site visits will be coordinated and approved by Planet Bee leadership. This is a part-time position with potential opportunities to expand hours by completing onsite community and corporate workshops and educational programs.

About Planet Bee Foundation:

Planet Bee Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to teaching about the importance of bees to our food systems and ecosystems as a pathway to conservation and STEM fields, cultivating the green leaders of tomorrow through the power of science and stewardship. We work with schools, community organizations, and businesses to implement educational programs, create pollinator habitats, and promote environmental stewardship.

Compensation:

This is a per diem contractor role, with the expectation that the beekeeper will be compensated $75 per site visit (approximately 1-2+ hours per visit). Travel time and mileage will not be reimbursed. Beekeepers will be paid out quarterly for completed site visits.

Deliverables:

To apply, please attach your resume. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Responsibilities:

• Visit and inspect honey bee outside of Rockford Illinois
• Complete and deliver hive inspection reports for each site visit
• Meet and communicate with site contacts in a professional manner
• Follow direction and collaborate with Planet Bee leadership regarding apiary priorities
• Hive manipulations which may include: requeening, installing bees, hive splits, moving hives, preparing hives for honey harvest, etc.
• Opportunity to conduct in Planet Bee Corporate and Community events including tabling and honey harvesting events.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the leadership team.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Beekeeping experience
• Experience managing multiple apiaries
• Strong understanding of honey bee biology and honey bee colony development
• Awareness of occupational hazards (i.e. sting risk) and ways to mitigate these risks
• Proficiency with email communication
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.

Physical & Travel Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Reliable transportation with capacity to move hives & equipment between sites
• Ability to work occasional weekends to inspect hives that have specific access windows
• This employee is required to stand, walk, reach above shoulders, and climb or balance. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

Planet Bee Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type: Contract

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• Choose your own hours
• Day shift

Work Location: In person