Plant Clinic Manager

Part of the Education department, the Plant Clinic Manager leads one of the Arboretum's most visible and trusted plant knowledge hubs. Working across departments, from Horticulture and Living Collections to Marketing and Audience Research, the Plant Clinic blends horticultural expertise and public-facing communication to ensure it remains a welcoming, responsive, and data-informed resource for diverse audiences. The next Plant Clinic Manager has a unique opportunity to take part in the Arboretum's comprehensive site planning project, actively shaping how the Arboretum connects people and plants for years to come while continuing to engage a global audience of plant enthusiasts.

Position Summary: Lead the operations and strategic development of the Plant Clinic, one of the Arboretum's most visible plant communication and engagement hubs, including its ongoing evolution and impact measurement. Ensure that the Plant Clinic continues to respond to customer inquiries via in-person, phone, and email, while also elevating on-site experiences into a cornerstone of accessible, welcoming visitor engagement. Work with staff across the organization to create useful, consumer-focused plant information and online/on-site learning experiences. Work with stakeholders to explore and report on the impact of Plant Clinic programs and services.

Essential Functions:

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  Manage the daily operations of the Plant Clinic, including supervising staff, assisting volunteers with complex inquiries, contributing to training content, developing procedures, and maintaining consistent customer service standards.

  
  
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  Shape the long-term direction of the Plant Clinic by identifying opportunities to enhance the visitor experience and cultivate a welcoming, curious, and inclusive atmosphere that engages on-site visitors from diverse backgrounds and motivations.

  
  
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  Proactively seek out new tree/plant knowledge and research (particularly among other Arboretum staff in Horticulture, Living Collections, Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), and the Center for Tree Science), and work with the Plant Knowledge Specialist to communicate that research as appropriate and relevant to Plant Clinic staff, volunteers, and clients.

  
  
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  Collaborate on efforts to compile, analyze, and use relevant data about key Plant Clinic audiences to better meet needs and demonstrate impact.

  
  
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  Work with marketing and communications staff to plan and execute a variety of outreach, including social media posts, television interviews, newspaper articles, and off-site events that meet shared plant knowledge communication goals.

  
  
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  Answer in-person, phone, and email questions in a timely and professional way.

  
  
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  Work across the Arboretum to develop and test new programs and services and integrate Plant Clinic touchpoints into the overall visitor experience.

  
  
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  Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum's employee core values.

  
  
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  Other duties as assigned.

  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

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  Serve in a supervisory capacity of one or more employees, providing leadership guidance and communicating the organization's goals. This includes:

  
  
  
  
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    Hiring, training, coaching and developing team members, by providing recognition and feedback, and evaluating performance

    
    
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    Ensuring that team members adhere to the Arboretum's policies and procedures, and maintaining a safe and compliant work environment

    
    
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    Building and maintaining positive working relationships with team members, colleagues, and other stakeholders to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment

    
    
  
  
  
  

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in horticulture (preferred), plant sciences, or related field required. 4+ years related experience required; supervisory experience preferred, with experience collaborating with diverse teams. Excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of basic tree and plant identification, selection, pests, diseases, and basic horticultural care required. Basic familiarity with pesticide best practices (especially as they relate to trees) preferred. Demonstrated experience with project management and creating tree and plant informational materials or experiences for the public (work samples required). Familiarity with Google for business apps, including Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Teaching experience, particularly with non-expert audiences, preferred.

Success Factors: Strong strategic thinking skills and the ability to build a vision, set goals, and move initiatives forward in a team environment. Desire to learn and try new things. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to adapt to different audiences, including donors, green professionals, fellow Arboretum staff members, or members of the general public. Comfortable with new technology and digital tools. Possess a teaching and coaching orientation, with the drive to guide others to learn more. Willingness to actively seek out opportunities for collaborating with other staff and external partners. Ability to weigh decisions, establish priorities, and set goals for themselves and others based on data, the Arboretum's mission, and the current strategic plan.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

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  Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: walking over uneven terrain, bending, limited lifting and carrying, and some local travel.

  
  
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  Work Environment: Work is performed primarily indoors, although travel within the grounds and buildings of the Arboretum is required.

  
  
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  Equipment: General office equipment, digital camera, microscope.

  
  

The expected hiring range for this position is annualized at $67,000-$77,000 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package.

For full consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.