Foundation Summary

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation envisions a Chicagoland comprised of thriving communities where all individuals have the resources and opportunities to succeed, without regard to income, race, ethnicity, gender, or ZIP code. We invest in people and organizations across the region to develop educated, informed, and engaged communities. The Foundation was established in 1955 upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor, and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The Foundation's philanthropic investments of more than $1.8 billion to date are currently focused on Chicago's South and West Sides and on the following issues: early childhood education, public safety, community development, veterans, and journalism.

Robert R. McCormick Charitable Trust and designated Cantigny as a public space for education and recreation. Cantigny Park is home to the McCormick House, First Division Museum, formal gardens, picnic grounds, and walking trails. Cantigny is host to numerous special events, concerts, weddings, garden tours, museum tours, lectures, horticulture workshops, fitness classes, and more throughout the year.

Position Summary

The Horticulturist position contributes to the creations and implementation of gardens and seasonal displays. The primary duty is maintenance of landscape and horticultural areas to high horticultural and aesthetic standards. This hands-on position may supervise a small crew of seasonal garden technicians and volunteers, and contributes to educate the public through positive and rich visitor interaction. Also performs snow removal duties in winter.

Essential Functions

· Install and maintain annual and perennial displays – both in-ground and containers-- for garden zone of responsibility. Communicates needs for woody plant maintenance with Ornamental Forester and Garden Design Manager and then actively performs appropriate installation or maintenance per the collaborative resolution and guidance.

· Responsible for weeding, watering, pruning, planting, monitoring for and managing pests, and applying chemicals and soil amendments for specific needs of aforementioned garden zone of responsibility. Path/hardscape safety and aesthetics are also monitored on a daily basis.

· Assists in supervision of seasonal staff and volunteers on a daily and/or weekly basis. This includes managing schedules, preparing tasks, and ensuring quality of work and use of time when these staff or volunteers are needed in the garden zone of responsibility. Provides training on the usage of tools/machinery, work technique and safety.

· Supports the horticultural social media content needs, and effectively collaborates with communications team with photos or other text to support the public announcement of plants in bloom or other highlights.

· Contributes to seasonal design, installation and breakdown of Christmas at Cantigny indoor and outdoor components across the park, particularly (but not exclusively) in the designated zone of garden responsibility.

· Assists in placing and tracking herbaceous plant material orders and shipments. This position must keep an updated list of orders for living plant material, contribute in tracking budgets, and assists with processing invoices for material received.

· Maintains an active record of living plant material within designated zone of responsibility. This includes tracking and editing Excel documents when plant material fails, or new material is added, and adds appropriate signage for plant material as necessary. Communicates with Plant Recorder to ensure overall living plant records are updated/current and as accurate as possible. Assist with plant signage orientation and presentation in beds.

· Assists in monitoring water features in garden zone of responsibility and maintains those features to control algae, aquatic weeds. This includes the use of beneficial microbial cultures and pond dyes to ensure high water quality.

· Communicates and collaborates with greenhouse staff to ensure and monitor crop success. Participates in greenhouse walk-throughs to maintain health and scouting regimens for crops used in annual and perennial displays.

· Assists in any horticulture programs for members and guests. This includes periodic instruction or verbal interpretation through tours, lectures, and special event demonstrations.

· Monitor and scout garden zones daily to make recommendations and maintain communication with supervisor concerning path safety and aesthetics, plant health, garden maintenance, and priority tasks. This includes monitoring for pests and applying pesticides when necessary (Use of IPM practices is required).

· Contributes to an annual phenology documentation of plant flowering or other notable foliage highlights of living plant material in aforementioned designated garden zones.

· Performs snow removal duties in winter, which include shoveling, plowing, brushing, and applying salt to icy areas.

· Periodically assists with prescribed burns of natural areas alongside the Forestry burn crew.

· Collaborates with Horticulture Department staff and other Cantigny staff/teams during special events and projects to provide support where appropriate and logical.

· Effectively communicates with the local gardening community, Cantigny’s members, and daily guests concerning the gardens, plant collections and the rich history of the park.

· Assists in the training of seasonal crew and volunteers in proper safety practices and gardening techniques. This includes maintaining record of training and providing proper PPE and tools.

· Periodically assists the Forestry team with tree removal, brush cleanup, holiday décor installations, and maintenance of natural areas.

· Performs other miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience: One year of similar experience at a horticultural institution or public garden/estate, two years preferred. Previous experience and demonstrated skills in designing and creating annual and perennial plant displays is preferred.

Skills:

· An Illinois Pesticide Applicators license is required within 6 months of hire.

· CPR training/certification is required.

· Ability to work and think independently on complex projects, prioritize work, and meet deadlines while balancing multiple tasks – planning months in advance while responding to daily demands.

· Able to establish and maintain effective communications and working relationships with Horticulture staff and other departments.

· Able to solve problems and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, as well as always act in a courteous and professional manner.

· Knowledge of botanical and horticultural plant nomenclature to assist with accurate plant database records and maps.

· Knowledge of IPM and ability to help make thoughtful decisions on reduced use of pesticides.

· Working knowledge of computer-based Microsoft Office Suite. ESRI ArcGIS, Autodesk AutoCAD experience is a plus.

· Ability to (or be trainable to) safely drive and operate large and small equipment such as skid steers, trucks, tractors, golf carts, rototillers, leaf blowers, etc.

· Able to safely use hand tools typically used in routine garden maintenance, such as soil knives, hand pruners, saws, loppers, rakes, etc.

· Must be willing to work weekends and some holidays when necessary. Varied work hours due to summer storm damage in park or winter snow team responsibilities.

· Must be able to lift and maneuver up to 50 pounds.

· Must be able to work outdoors in all types of terrain and all types of weather.

· Must be able to work standing or kneeling for up to 8 hours per day.

· Ability to perform heavy manual and semi-skilled tasks for extended periods of time.

· Valid driver’s license required.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Seasonal Garden Technicians - supervises up to two seasonal technicians from approximately March-November. Responsibility includes management of tasks, time, and assuring quality of work. Occasionally, when planting large areas, this position may supervise up to 7 seasonal crew members at one time.

Garden Volunteers - supervise small group of volunteers on a weekly basis during the growing season.

Working Conditions:

This is a Full-Time position. Work is typically outdoors, rain or shine, throughout the growing season. This includes sometimes working in extreme heat and cold temperatures. The work can be physically demanding and sometimes includes heavy lifting, repetitive motion, and long periods of standing/walking/kneeling. Requires safety training and the use of PPE when needed. Some office work is generally required as well.

Vaccination Requirement

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation requires as a condition of employment that all employees are fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) or have been approved for an accommodation based on a medical condition or conflicting religious belief.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cantigny Park and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, individuals with disabilities, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital and housing status

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