Public Horticulture Apprentice

Hiring Organization: Lurie Garden (Chicago Millennium Park Foundation)
Employment type: Full-Time
Job Location: Chicago
Application Due Date: February 9, 2024

Position Title: 2024 Lurie Garden Public Horticulture Apprentice

Position Classification: Full-time, Seasonal, Nonexempt, Benefits Ineligible

About Lurie Garden and Millennium Park Foundation

Lurie Garden, which opened in 2004, is located in the southeast corner of Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois. The Garden was designed by Seattle-based landscape architecture firm GGN. Alongside GGN, garden designers Piet Oudolf and Jacqueline van der Kloet created the Garden’s renowned perennial and bulb plantings, respectively.

Set within the contemporary design of Millennium Park and against the urban backdrop of downtown Chicago, Lurie Garden has earned a reputation as a premier example of naturalistic garden design. The perennial plantings, inspired by the prairies and woodlands historically characteristic of northeastern Illinois, are richly diverse and require thoughtful, adaptive care as this living work of art continues to evolve. Through ongoing collaboration with the designers, the Garden is curated in a manner which honors both the original vision for the space and its ongoing development.

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.

About the Opportunity

The 2024 Lurie Garden Public Horticulture Apprentice will report to the Head Horticulturist and 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. Through visits to local public gardens and nurseries, the Apprentice will gain insight into garden careers in horticulture industry. 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 wishes to elevate diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in the public horticulture sector through the Lurie Garden 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
Assist in the care and maintenance of all hardscape elements (e. pathways, water feature, lighting, ornamental stonework, fencing) and irrigation systems within Lurie Garden.
Assist in the collection and analysis of data including but not limited to mapping and phenology within Lurie
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
Collaborate with the Millennium Park Foundation and Lurie Garden 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
Combination of education and experience in horticulture, landscape/garden design, perennial plant production, ecologically informed horticulture, and/or related fields
Dependability, punctuality, willingness to learn, and attention to detail
Ability to work collaboratively, take & give direction, work independently, and accomplish tasks effectively and efficiently in public garden, outdoor, and office settings
Ability and willingness to engage with the public through speaking, writing, and photography
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds without assistance
Ability to kneel, sit, and bend for extended periods of time
Ability to work in a shared office environment
Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions
Computer skills required, including Excel, Word, and

Position Details

Full-time, seasonal, 40 hours per week, occasional evening and/or weekend
Position begins in April/May and ends in August/September 2024 (15-20 weeks).
Benefits
Hourly pay rate $18/hour.
Monthly housing stipend of $1,300.
Direct reports:
Reports to: Head Horticulturist, Lurie

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 deadline February 9th, 2024.

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.