The Chicago Botanic Garden opened 50 years ago as a beautiful place to visit, and it has matured into one of the world’s great living museums and conservation science centers. Every year, more than one million people visit the Garden’s 28 gardens and four natural areas, uniquely situated on 385 acres on and around nine islands, with six miles of lake shoreline. The Garden is dedicated to cultivating the power of plants to sustain and enrich life.

Over the last 25 years, the Garden’s plant conservation science programs have grown from strength-to-strength as the Garden aims to mitigate the loss of plants and their habitats and develop the diverse community of scientists and practitioners necessary for the success of plant conservation efforts nationally and internationally.

The Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action at the Chicago Botanic Garden is now among the leading plant conservation programs in the country. The Negaunee Institute has three primary foci: Bridging science and land stewardship, connecting people with plants, and developing a conservation and restoration workforce. These efforts are delivered through an integrated program encompassing research, restoration action, graduate student mentoring, hands on training for undergraduates and practitioners, community science initiatives, and engagement with land stewards and policy makers.

• The Institute’s research areas address key areas of conservation science including plant diversity / evolutionary biology, plant-pollinator and plant-fungal interactions, soil ecology, conservation genetics / genomics, rare plant biology, landscape ecology, ex situ conservation, and restoration ecology. New research initiatives in urban ecology, sustainable agriculture, and community science all aim to build understanding and appreciation of the benefits of biodiversity.
• The active research agenda includes the Garden’s main campus as well where the science team manages the Garden’s natural areas, which comprise nearly 60% of the Garden’s 385 acres. These natural areas of woodland, prairie and waterways are active restoration, research, and training laboratories that provide visitors an opportunity to experience the beauty and richness of the region’s biodiversity.
• The Institute is active in training and developing a conservation and restoration workforce. These efforts include the Program in Plant Biology and Conservation, the largest graduate program at a US Botanic Garden, delivered in partnership with Northwestern University, and a range of undergraduate research internships, including serving as an NSF-funded REU site, workshops, and job training for new conservation and restoration professionals.
• Beyond the site, Plants of Concern, one of the Garden’s community science programs, engages volunteers in monitoring and reporting on the status of rare and threatened plant species at locations across the state. Garden scientists advocate for plants and conservation initiatives to elected officials, policy makers, funders and more.

The Garden aims to continue its trajectory of growth in plant science conservation as it prepares for the retirement of its long-serving and successful Chief Scientist and Vice President.

The Garden’s next Chief Scientist will advance the Garden’s global leadership role in plant science conservation and restoration; ensure the ongoing success of the Program in Plant Biology and Conservation MS and PhD program delivered in partnership with Northwestern University; further develop training programs for practitioners / future land managers, assure the high quality maintenance, research, and recognition of the Garden’s natural areas; and guide the Lenhardt Library to serve as an outstanding information resource for Garden staff, students, members, visitors, and botanic and horticulture professionals. The Chief Scientist will be a champion for science communication and interpretation, a key spokesperson and ambassador for conservation and restoration grounded in excellent plant science research and practice.

With Executive Leadership colleagues, the Chief Scientist will work collaboratively to maintain, build, and focus the Garden’s science programs in alignment with the Garden’s mission, purpose, and strategy. They will cultivate a culture of collaboration, be committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment, and motivate a team of scientists and other staff to deliver against short- and long-term objectives in an evolving and growing organization. The Chief Scientist is a member of the Garden’s Executive Leadership Team and a key liaison to the Board of Directors. The Chief Scientist reports to the President and CEO, and leads a team of approximately 40 core staff, plus postdocs, interns, and graduate students.

The Chief Scientist must be an open-minded, diplomatic, collaborative, and creative professional who builds upon the historic strengths and record of success while motivating continued refinement and focus of the science program to increase its ability to positively impact plant science and conservation. They will possess the intellectual depth, maturity, and skills to work effectively with the President and CEO, the Executive Leadership Team, Board members, and staff at all levels.

This new leader will model the Garden’s commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. Since 2020, the Garden has intensified its Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) work. With staff, the work has been deliberative, intentional, and focused on internal practice. Hundreds of staff have participated in dozens of EDIA sessions; and 70 leaders have completed training as conscious ambassadors of care. The Garden has launched a series of projects that are designed to help – in words crafted by the Employee Advisory Group – “The Chicago Botanic Garden become a place where all individuals feel respected and appreciated in their full humanity, thus providing our staff community with a sense of fulfillment, joy, and belonging.” The first round of projects has identified the internal organizational values the Garden wants to embody and the behaviors that demonstrate the organization is living these values. These values are: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust and Transparency. Other projects focus on our professional learning agenda, recruitment, performance reviews, and decision-making. The Garden’s Board of Directors participated in Facing Change, the board diversity project facilitated by the American Alliance of Museums between 2019 and 2021. Its Inclusion Plan articulates goals across the EDIA spectrum and is a standing item for the Nominating and Governance Committee.

Principal Responsibilities

The Chief Scientist and Negaunee Vice President of Science leads and guides the further development and implementation of the Garden’s science efforts and university level training programs with the aim of enhancing the programs’ impact on the essential work of mitigating the loss of plants and their habitats to sustain and enrich life.

• Lead the continued advancement of the Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action with the goal of enhancing its impact.
• Manage a science leadership team of 4 and a department of around 32 full time staff (including postdocs) plus 13 seasonal on-site ecology technicians / interns, and 35-40 resident graduate students.
• Ensure that the Program in Plant Biology and Conservation MS and PhD program delivered in partnership with Northwestern University continues to thrive. Key foci include serving as liaison with the University, enhancing efforts to diversify the student pool with an emphasis on increasing the number of BIPOC applicants and then successfully recruiting and retaining them, and increasing available financial support, especially for MS students, to reduce the financial impediment that currently exists.
• Ensure the appropriate maintenance, research, and use of the Garden’s Natural Areas, which comprise 60% of the Garden’s 385 acres.
• Implement the recommendations from the recent internal review of the science program that calls for sharpening its focus, fostering additional collaborations among scientists and science themes, and enhancing synergies between scientists and land stewards to successfully address key conservation / restoration issues.
• Work with the Director of the Lenhardt Library to implement the recommendations of the recent internal review and effectively serve staff and other users.
• Work with the President and CEO and others in the Executive Leadership team on the development of the Garden's strategic direction, annual operating goals, budgets, and resource allocations.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Leadership Team and other Garden leaders to significantly enhance the institution’s messaging and communication about science and plant / habitat conservation to visitors and the broader public.
• Collaborate closely with the Development team to generate raised and earned revenue in support of the Garden’s research and training programs.
• Staff the Science and Education committee of the Board of Directors with the V.P. Learning and Public Programs, seeking their input on strategic issues and providing them with information to facilitate their role as advocates for the Garden’s programs and plant / habitat conservation in general.
• Serve as the Garden’s Chief Science Communicator, a spokesperson for colleagues, stakeholders, and the general public.
• Promote the Garden to current and potential new partners / collaborators to advance the work of the Negaunee Institute, and reputation and impact of the Garden.
• Model commitment to the Garden’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility goals and live our organization values of Growth, Understanding, Resilience and Trust and Transparency.
• And, in addition to administrative / leadership responsibilities, continue their individual high-level research / training program aligned with the focus of the Negaunee Institute.

Skills, Experiences, and Competencies

While the Chicago Botanic Garden will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will have the following:

• Ph.D. in botany, ecology, conservation science or equivalent, with leadership recognition in their academic field.
• University faculty and/or research experience qualifies them for adjunct associate or adjunct full professor standing at Northwestern University.
• Successful administrative leadership experience, e.g., several years department / program chair.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the important role that botanic garden research, mentoring, and public engagement play in mitigating plant loss, developing scientific and land management workforce, and building public understanding, engagement and support for plant and habitat conservation.
• Understanding of and commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
• A strong record of recruiting and retaining staff, facilitating their success, and fostering a transparent and collegial work environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with careful attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to travel as appropriate, consistent with public health guidelines
• Comfort with public speaking and relating to the media.

Additional Personal Characteristics

• Passion for the mission and programs of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Ability to inspire and engage others as a senior representative of the Garden.
• Values-driven, self-confident, self-aware, and committed to personal and professional development. Elevates institutional goals and values beyond personal gain, discerning opportunities for collaboration that lead to desired outcomes.
• Unimpeachable integrity and high ethical standards; mature judgment in handling sensitive information.
• A penchant for transparency and diplomacy; commitment to consultation, collaboration, and consensus building in a complex environment.
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity with the ability to work effectively with staff and stakeholders from disparate backgrounds; cultural competency with respect to issues such as racial, cultural, religious, sexual, and gender identity.
• A self-starter with a strong work ethic, clear set of priorities, outgoing and positive personality, sense of humor and perspective, and the ability to maintain effectiveness during periods of stress.
• A poised individual who is supportive, diplomatic, personable, able to manage multiple priorities.

Interested candidates please submit a letter of interest and CV along with the application.

*The Chicago Botanic Garden requires all existing employees to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated by October 15, 2021; hires after this date must be fully vaccinated upon hire or may request a medical/religious exemption after an offer is extended.*

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.