Chicago, IL - Beekeeper - Part Time

The Best Bees Company•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Best Bees Company is a full-service beekeeping operation headquartered in Boston, which delivers, installs, and manages beehives for residences and businesses in major cities nationwide, including the Chicago metro area. The company is seeking a part-time, experienced beekeeper in Chicago, IL, to start immediately. Beekeepers are managed remotely from the Boston office or in-person from a regional facility. The field operations team consists of dedicated environmentalists who support scientific research in honey bee colonies on buildings and in backyards across the United States. Beekeepers and apiarists play a direct role in this research, growing the pollinator population with each hive check, and are considered field ecologists. The Best Bees Company installs and maintains honeybee hives on commercial, government, and residential properties in urban centers across the US. Its mission is to improve pollinator health and expand the bee population by partnering with clients across all sectors of business and government. Since 2010, the company has made a tangible, positive impact on the environment, one beehive at a time. The Best Bees Company has developed innovative approaches and data that are now used by institutions such as NASA, MIT, Harvard, and National Geographic. It is a hub for scientists, artists, and adventurers, where a culture of creativity and environmental stewardship thrive, with staff dedicated to developing cutting-edge ways of ensuring bee health, global food security, and client engagement.

Requirements

At least one full season of beekeeping experience
A valid driver's license
Ability to efficiently service hives in the Chicago, IL area
Access to a vehicle you feel comfortable transporting beekeeping equipment in
Access to a smartphone
Ability to communicate clearly, consistently, and promptly
Familiarity with Slack, Google services, and Apple products
Willingness to take on additional, often last-minute tasks/hive checks such as queen fixes, swarm catching, company events, etc.
Comfortable working independently in the field with support from remote managers
Ability to safely lift up to 50 lbs regularly and follow safety protocols

Responsibilities

Service hives in the Chicago region following monthly objectives
Record detailed information about the beehives through our proprietary application
Perform beehive installations, relocations, and removals
Maintain Best Bees equipment and facilities including construction of boxes/frames, keeping inventory, and general cleaning
Administer Varroa mite treatments safely and efficiently
Maintain a professional and courteous attitude with Best Bees clientele and communicate efficiently with Best Bees managers
Assist with the collection of honey samples for genomic testing & participation in Best Bees-sponsored events
Perform occasional site consultations with new clients to pick a location for a beehive according to guidelines provided
Facilitate extraction of client honey (using rental equipment to extract, filter, jar and label; or by transferring to city harvesting location)