Horticulturist I

Job Description

The Horticulturist position contributes to the creation and implementation of gardens and seasonal displays. The primary duty is maintenance of landscape and horticultural areas, including container displays and holiday events, to high horticultural and aesthetic standards. This hands-on position supervises a small crew of seasonal garden technicians and volunteers. The role participates in public programs and events and supports educational activities and interpretation to provide a rich visitor experience.

About Us

Cantigny, stewarded by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is a signature cultural and recreational destination in Chicago’s western suburbs. It is the former estate of the founder and editor of the Chicago Tribune, open to the public since the 1950s. With nearly 500 acres of gardens, museums, programs, and golf, Cantigny offers an exceptional platform for community engagement and storytelling. About 16 acres are intensely cultivated gardens, with an additional 17 acres of turf and 45 acres of natural areas in the public areas of Cantigny.

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

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, interns or volunteers on a daily to 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.

Read the full list on our application website portal, listed below.

Education and Experience

Education
Required: High school diploma and 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, creating and installing large-scale annual and perennial plant displays in a formal design landscape is preferred. Previous experience in year-round care and maintenance of roses preferred.

Read the full list on our application website portal, listed below.

Additional Information

This is a Full-Time position, year ’round. A five-day in-person workweek completed within the Monday-Saturday period; expected workday runs from 7 am to 3:30 pm. Starting salary: $45,000-50,000 range

Application Instructions

Upload resume and application attachments through the Paylocity portal:
https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3841259/Robert-R-McCormick-Foundation/Horticulturist-I

This role is open until filled. Ideally, the chosen candidate may begin by or before April 1, 2026.