Title: Labeling Coordinator Exemption Status: Non-exempt Department: Living Plant Documentation Reports to: Manager, Plant Documentation Year-Round Full-time Supervises: Volunteers, interns
Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:
- 2026 A Guide to Your Benefits JP.pdf
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 Labeling Coordinator is a critical position in the service-oriented Living Plant Documentation department. This position interfaces with several constituents including staff in Horticulture, Development, Communications, Science, Education, and senior management. Accuracy and timeliness of label delivery is of paramount importance. Plant scientific name skills are used frequently in addressing the needs of other staff, visitors, and members. Occasionally gives presentations to internal and external audiences.
Responsibilities
In this role you will be responsible for the following:
- Maintain the display labels and accession tags in the Garden including all public display areas and natural areas, as well as plant breeding and ornamental plant evaluation trial plantings.
- Assist the Plant Recorder with verifying and updating nomenclature records in the collections database, BRAHMS, to ensure the Garden is adhering to the most recent taxonomic treatments, and update display labels and accession tags accordingly.
- Update plant records in BRAHMS to fulfill label requirements and requests as needed.
- Assist the Living Plant Documentation, Curatorial, and Horticulture teams with collections inventories.
- Collaborate with other departments and develop labeling techniques to address the needs of special projects or events.
- Communicate with vendors about label needs, purchase supplies, and coordinate with the Plant Documentation Manager on the labeling budget.
- Orient new staff to Plant Documentation activities and processes, including providing training in labeling techniques and equipment.
- Assist with the training and management of interns, seasonal employees, and volunteers.
- Present on matters relating to job purview to internal and external audiences.
- Other duties as assigned.
Our ideal candidate will have the following:
Required Qualifications
- Associate degree in Horticulture, Ornamental Horticulture, Floriculture, Agriculture with a horticulture emphasis, or a closely related field; an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience will be considered.
- Minimum of one year of relevant experience in horticulture, plant collections, plant documentation, or a related field.
- Demonstrated analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to details and the ability to maintain accurate records, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with staff across departments and manage competing priorities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn and utilize specialized databases and software.
- A valid driver's license with a good driving record.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a botanic garden, arboretum, nursery, or other horticultural or plant collections setting.
- Working knowledge of scientific plant names, plant identification, and botanical nomenclature principles.
- Experience with Adobe InDesign or similar design software.
- Familiarity with BRAHMS or other plant collections management software.
Physical Demands:
Mixed office and outdoor setting. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Use of machinery including metal embosser, drill press, cordless riveter, golf cart, and other tools. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds. Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions. 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.