Visitor Events and Interpretation Associate - Seasonal

Chicago Botanic Garden • Glencoe, IL

5h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Visitor Events & Interpretation Associate will assist with the execution of a variety of events and shows within the Visitor Events & Programs department, including Music on the Esplanade, Morning Music, the American Flower Show Series, the Garden Chef Series, Butterflies & Blooms, and themed/festival weekends. They will also support the Interpretation Department in the implementation of interpretive programs, as well as the development of exhibition content and interpretive signage. The role involves interacting with staff, volunteers, and visitors in wide-ranging garden areas, and completing office tasks such as data management, materials ordering, and other responsibilities related to program management. This position offers a substantive hands-on opportunity for emerging professionals interested in public programming, informal education, or cultural arts programming.

Requirements

• Availability from mid-May to the end of September. Flexibility on start/end timing; work can begin late April and continue through early November if schedules allow.
• Schedule is Sunday through Thursday OR Tuesday through Saturday to cover weekly programs and events including weekends, evenings, and some holidays as required.
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, organizational, and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Experience or interest in public gardens, museum studies, environmental studies, horticulture, or related fields.
• At least 1 year (cumulative) working in a public-facing job with diverse visitors—ideally in a nature-based or cultural space.
• Experience working with and/or managing volunteers.
• Experience with basic informational research.
• Flexible mindset and ability to work in a fast-paced, complex environment with varied projects, people, and garden areas.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (Spanish) abilities a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create and install signage, meet and load-in performers, coordinate with internal staff and volunteers, and oversee performances for Music on the Esplanade and Morning Music.
• Implement weekend shows offered by a range of plant and flower societies; work with show chairs and internal staff/volunteers for the American Flower Show Series.
• Work with staff to implement twice-monthly open air cooking demonstrations and two themed weekends: Herb Garden Weekend (June) and Heirloom Fest: Tomatoes and More (August) for the Garden Chef Series/Fruit & Vegetable Garden themed weekends.
• Assist with twice monthly weekend programming as needed for Atelier Sisu – Festival Field.
• Cover shifts in live butterfly exhibition as assigned; serve as exhibit facilitator and oversee volunteer team as needed for Butterflies & Blooms exhibition.
• Work with staff on exhibition support, content development and interpretive signage as assigned.
• Work with interpretive volunteers to oversee and prioritize Plant Giveaway program; offer additional discovery carts such as Bees, Container Gardening, etc., as possible for Fruit & Vegetable Garden Discovery Programs/Plant Giveaway.
• Assist interpretive volunteers as needed with program operation for Walking Tours, Japanese Garden, and English Walled Garden Programs.
• Assist with summer exhibition including exhibition interactive maintenance, pop up program implementation, and evaluation/audience research data collection for Summer Exhibition – America Grows: 250 Years of Garden Stories.
• Coordinate and interact with staff, volunteers, and visitors throughout the Garden’s Glencoe campus.
• Complete office tasks, including sign management, research, email communications, materials ordering and organization, and data entry.
• Work assigned regular schedule: Tuesday through Saturday OR Sunday through Thursday.
• Coordinate with staff to help cover for other Associate as needed (not to exceed 5 days per week).
• Includes weekend and evening work and holidays as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

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