Interpretation Associate - Seasonal

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Interpretation

Reports to: Manager of Interpretation

Seasonal Full-time, approximately five months

Position Overview: The Interpretation Associate will support the Interpretation Department in the development and implementation of interpretive programs—walking tours, discovery carts, our very popular Plant Giveaway, and more. You’ll interact with staff, volunteers, and visitors in wide-ranging Garden areas. You will have some office tasks as well, including data management and ordering materials related to program management.

This position offers a substantive hands-on opportunity for an emerging professional interested in public garden programming, informal education, or cultural arts programming.

• Candidate should be available for summer 2024—exact start/end dates are flexible; we are hoping to cover as much of the time period from mid-May through early October as possible.
• Schedule is Wednesday through Sunday, 37.5 hours per week.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Coordinate volunteer-led Plant Giveaway program and select Discovery Carts (e.g. Bees) at the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Order and maintain Plant Giveaway supplies/plants. Assist volunteers in set-up, implementation, and clean-up.
• Coordinate volunteer-led programs in the Thomas English Walled Garden and Malott Japanese Garden. Assist volunteers with set-up as needed; check on volunteers during their shifts.
• Coordinate volunteer-led walking tours. Assist in program set-up and implementation.
• Support the operation of the summer Lost & Found Garden theme including programmatic support and maintenance of hands-on activations.
• Interact with volunteers and visitors through informal interactions in different Garden areas; be available to answer questions and handle problems.
• Support new experience development and prototyping led by manager and director of Interpretation. Support may include interpretive research and writing.
• Assist with audience research/evaluation for the Lost & Found summer theme including data collection.
• Attend required meetings and assist with other programs, audience research, and projects as needed in the Interpretation Department.

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors:

VALUES

As an organization, we…

BEHAVIORS

As an organization, we…

Prioritize a culture of GROWTH.

We commit to remaining curious in how we approach our work.

• Create and maintain spaces for learning.
• Test new ideas and are willing to take risks to achieve our vision.
• Collaborate to strengthen our skills and impact.
• Demonstrate perseverance and humility as we work toward our long-term impact.

Seek to UNDERSTAND.

We seek to understand others from their perspective.

• Provide opportunities for input and feedback from others.
• Actively listen to all points of view.
• Consider individuals’ lived experiences.
• Advocate for and protect time for reflection especially during times of conflict or confusion.

See one another through a lens of RESILIENCE.

We believe that all individuals can experience good outcomes with support.

• Give others the space to balance work and personal needs.
• Support others and demonstrate empathy especially during challenging and stressful times.
• Seek opportunities to learn from and about one another.
• Ask questions about and anticipate the needs of others.

Build TRUST through TRANSPARENCY.

We hold ourselves and others accountable by centering decision making that honors all people.

• Communicate information in a timely manner.
• Provide clarity in complex situations with the goal of common understanding.
• Discuss both positive and negative outcomes openly.
• Evaluate the impacts of our actions.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Candidate should be available to work mid-May through August or September. Programs run through mid-October if candidate’s schedule allows continued work.
• Available to work Wednesday through Sunday, 37.5 hours per week. Candidate will work independently, for the most part, on weekends.
• Bachelor’s degree or current enrollment in a college museum studies program or a related field such as horticulture or environmental education.
• At least 1 year (cumulative) working in a public-facing job—ideally in a nature-based or cultural space.
• Possess an enthusiastic interest in working with volunteers and the general public.
• Experience with basic informational research.
• Bilingual (Spanish) abilities a plus.
• The ideal candidate will be flexible, able to work in a fast-paced environment, and possess exceptional communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills. The ability to work both independently and as part of a team is essential.

Physical Demands:

Position requires periods of walking and standing with moderate lifting, pushing, or pulling (up to approximately 35 pounds). Most of the work is conducted outside, rain or shine. Some work is done in an office setting. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and laminators.

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, 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.