Groundskeeper - Seasonal

Chicago Botanic Garden • Glencoe, IL

15h • Onsite

About The Position

This is a seasonal, full-time, entry-level position (approximately 22 weeks) where the Groundskeeper, under close supervision, performs general landscaping and grounds maintenance primarily through manual labor. The role involves working with a small crew or alone, assisting with special projects, public programs, and other support tasks. The position requires working occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays as requested, and may involve working in different Display Gardens and Grounds areas throughout the season. While no prior experience is required, a willingness to perform physical work outdoors and learn basic landscaping techniques and follow instructions closely is essential.

Requirements

• Willingness to do physical work in the field and learn basic landscaping techniques.
• Interest in learning basic gardening skills, as evidenced by participation in training sessions or asking questions about plant care.
• Interest in learning to identify basic weeds through training and guidance from experienced staff/supervisor.
• Ability to communicate at a basic level, for instructions and reporting in English or Spanish.

Nice To Haves

• General knowledge of small tools used in landscape maintenance preferred.
• Some landscape maintenance experience is preferred.
• A current/valid driver’s license to operate motor vehicles including golf cart, and insurable by the Garden is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Working under close supervision and following direct instructions to learn and complete general landscape maintenance which includes weeding, watering, mulching, planting and transplanting, raking, digging, and edging.
• General clean-up and maintenance, such as picking up trash and landscape waste, removing refuse, tidying up tool and equipment storage areas, cleaning paths, and maintaining tools.
• Reporting any tool or equipment problems to Manager, Grounds.
• Assisting with indoors with projects such as shop organization and greenhouse work when weather prohibits outdoor work, and as assigned.
• Assisting with support for public programs and other projects as needed.

Benefits

• Wellness initiative benefit
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Retirement plan
• Holidays
• Holiday Thank you pay
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed