Assistant Botanic Gardens Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title: Visitor Experience Event Associate

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Visitor Experience

Reports to: Managers, Visitor Experience and Visitor Experience Supervisors

Seasonal Resource, Fall/Winter Events

Fall: October 5 through 25 2026 (shift start time 5:30 p.m.) ; and Winter: November 4, 2026, through January 3, 2027 (approximate shift start time 3:30 p.m.)

Resource employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

• Wellness initiative benefit, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Retirement plan
• 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

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate’s qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job (unless it is a flat rate as indicated). Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate’s salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual’s contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets.

Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview:

The Visitor Experience event associate supports outdoor events during the fall and winter season. Key responsibilities include welcoming visitors, operating ticket scanning equipment, monitoring event paths, and providing accurate event information. This role requires delivering exceptional customer service along outdoor event routes and proactively addressing visitor inquiries with professionalism. The Visitor Experience event associate enhances the overall visitor experience through courteous and efficient service.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Serve as a Visitor Experience associate at designated points along the outdoor event route, including entrances and exits, supporting admission processes, ticket scanning, path monitoring, and safety. Efficiently handle tasks such as ticket redemption, crowd management, and general inquiries including path wayfinding.
• Ability to work independently for long periods of time.
• Assist in day-to-day operational procedures,
• including daily setup and removal of event equipment including but not limited to stanchions, signs, and sandbags and other duties as assigned.
• Monitor path conditions to ensure safe visitor passage. Maintain the cleanliness and appearance of each area.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Minimum of one year’s experience in sales and customer service.
• Ability to interact positively with all customers including members, donors, potential donors, and coworkers in a professional and friendly manner. A customer is any person you come in contact with, whether in person, via the telephone, or email.
• Proficiency in communicating with the Visitor Experience managers, supervisors, and coworkers using Garden-provided radios.
• Availability to work at least ten evening shifts on both weekdays and weekends from October 7 through 25, 2026, for Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns.
• Preference for availability to work at least ten evening shifts on both weekdays and weekends during Lightscape, from November 11, 2026, through January 3, 2027. (Note: There will be Lightscape incentive pay for working this event based on number of shifts.)
• Ability to use the Makeshift scheduling app to access work schedules and check work-related email during scheduled work hours for important announcements and updates.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Database software experience - Galaxy preferred.
• The ability to handle cash and credit card transactions/receipts with integrity.

Physical Demands:

The position involves outdoor work in variable weather, including locations such as the Welcome Plaza, in the admission ticket booth, and standing in other outdoor Garden areas. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, and scanners. Occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling of items up to 30 pounds may be required.

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, the 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.