Aquatic Plant Harvester Operator

Title: Aquatic Plant Harvester Operator

Exemption Status: non-exempt

Department: Restoration Science

Reports to: Managing ecologist, curator of aquatics

Seasonal Full-time

Seasonal Full-time employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for the following 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

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. 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 Chicago Botanic Garden is looking for a detail-oriented and mechanically adept seasonal employee to operate our Aquatic Plant Harvester in summer 2025-with the potential for future seasonal employment. Located 25 miles north of downtown Chicago, the Garden's 385-acre campus includes 60 acres of lakes. Over the past 20 years, half a million native aquatic and shoreline plants have been added along five miles of our lakeshore. To help maintain desirable submerged plant communities and overall lake aesthetics, periodic trimming of excessive submerged vegetation growth and algal mats is conducted.

The Aquatic Plant Harvester Operator, operates specialized equipment with underwater blades that cut submerged plant stems, which are then transported onto an onboard storage area via conveyor belts. Once full, the harvester connects to a shore-based conveyor system, offloading the plant material into a dump truck for transport to the Garden's landscape waste processing area, where it is converted into mulch.

Responsibilities

In the Aquatic Plant Harvester Operator role you will be responsible for the following:

• Operate and provide basic maintenance on the Garden's aquatic plant harvester and conveyor equipment.
• Navigating and maneuvering the harvester safely on the water.
• Monitoring and adjusting harvester blade height for efficient plant removal.
• Clearing jams in the harvester and conveyor system as needed.
• Transporting cut plant material using the harvester's conveyor system.
• Coordinating with team to ensure efficient harvesting operations.
• Conducting routine inspections to identify maintenance needs or equipment issues.
• Following all safety protocols for equipment operation and working near water.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Minimum one year experience operating diesel and/or gasoline engines in a professional setting
• Minimum one year experience towing and backing up a trailer
• Minimum one year experience navigating boats on water
• Minimum one season experience maintaining diesel and/or gasoline engines
• A strong work ethic and ability to function independent of continuous supervision
• A high comfort level being in and around water and an ability to swim should the need arise in an emergency
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record and insurable by the Garden
• Knowledge of diesel engine operation is a plus
• Availability to work from early May through early September
• Normal work schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (some schedule flexibility may be possible)
• Candidates with an interest and ability to return in subsequent years are strongly preferred

Physical Demands:

Ability to sit for extended periods of time (i.e., while operating the harvester), ability to board the harvester from the water, bend to remove jammed plant material from the harvester and conveyor, ability to lift and carry 50 pounds, and must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather.

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, 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.