2022 GGN Public Horticulture Apprentice, Lurie Garden

Full-time, Seasonal, Nonexempt, Benefits Ineligible

About Lurie Garden and Millennium Park Foundation

Lurie Garden is located in Millennium Park in Chicago, IL. The Garden was designed by landscape architecture firm GGN in the early 2000s. GGN continues to be involved with the Garden’s stewardship, and the firm supports this apprenticeship. The initial design collaboration included Kathryn Gustafson, Shannon Nichol, and Jennifer Guthrie of GGN with perennial planting designer Piet Oudolf; more recently, bulb planting designer Jacqueline van der Kloet has joined the collaboration

The design and construction of the Garden was underwritten by the Millennium Park Foundation (MPF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1998 as an organization dedicated to the stewardship of Millennium Park. MPF has the principal horticultural responsibility for the Garden.

The Garden’s naturalistic, new wave design—inspired by the prairies and woodlands historically characteristic of northeastern Illinois—is set within the contemporary design of Millennium Park and against the urban backdrop of downtown Chicago. The Garden is curated in a manner that honors its designers’ original vision for the space, while continuing to evolve the design and plantings through ongoing collaboration with the designers themselves.

About the Opportunity

Lurie Garden has developed a reputation as the premier example of naturalistic, new wave garden design in the United States. The 2022 GGN Public Horticulture Apprentice will report to the Head Horticulturist and will be a significant contributor to the Garden’s day-to-day horticultural operations. The Apprentice will also hone their public horticulture skills by participating in all aspects of operations with the Garden and across Millennium Park. The Apprentice will interact with Garden volunteers, contractors, visitors, and other stakeholders in accomplishing their horticulture duties. The Apprentice is expected to begin work in April or May, continuing through August or September. Exact dates are negotiable.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Millennium Park Foundation and GGN wish to elevate diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in the public horticulture sector through the GGN Public Horticulture Apprentice program. As such, individuals who reflect such breadth and range of background, experience, and uniqueness are strongly encouraged to apply.

Millennium Park Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity status, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

General Duties (including but not limited to)

• Plant, weed, water, prune, and perform other general horticulture tasks to the standards of Lurie Garden, under the supervision of, independent of direct supervision, and in support of the Head Horticulturist and Assistant Horticulturist.

• Assist in the care and maintenance of all hardscape elements (i.e., pathways, water feature, lighting, ornamental stonework, fencing) and irrigation systems within Lurie Garden.

• Assist in the accessioning, deaccessioning, mapping, and relocating plants in Lurie Garden.

• Contribute to and collaborate with all staff to ensure quality of work for Lurie Garden’s community engagement and volunteer activities, which may include training and supervision of volunteers.

• Collaborate with the Millennium Park Foundation, Lurie Garden, and GGN staffs to document and share a first-person perspective of the experience of the apprenticeship.

Skills, Knowledge, & Abilities

• Strong interest in public horticulture, landscape/garden design, perennial plant production, and ecologically informed horticulture required.

• Combination of education and experience in horticulture, landscape/garden design, perennial plant production, ecologically informed horticulture, and/or related fields required.

• Dependability, punctuality, willingness to learn, and attention to detail required.

• Ability to work collaboratively, take & give direction, work independently, and accomplish tasks effectively and efficiently in public garden, outdoor, and office settings required.

• Ability and willingness to engage with the public through speaking and writing required.

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds without assistance required.

• Ability to kneel, sit, and bend for extended periods of time required.

• Ability to work in a shared office environment required.

• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions required.

• Computer skills required, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Position Details

• Part-time, seasonal, 40 hours per week, frequent early/evening and/or weekend hours.

• Position begins in April/May and ends in August/September 2022 (15-20 weeks).

• Benefits ineligible.

• Hourly pay rate starting at $18 per hour and commensurate with experience.

• Direct reports: None.

• Reports to: Head Horticulturist, Lurie Garden.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and letter of introduction that, together, address your qualifications with respect to the general duties of this position. Your letter of introduction should also demonstrate your passion for public horticulture and gardens.

Submit all materials and/or questions to jobs@mpfdn.org. Evaluation of materials will begin immediately and continue on an ongoing basis. Application Details: https://www.luriegarden.org/lurie-garden-job-opportunities/

No phone calls please.

Individuals reflecting underrepresented and underserved communities in the public horticulture industries are strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature, scope, and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of individuals so classified.