Plant Propagation Lead – Greenhouse & Production

Chicago Botanic Garden; Glencoe (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The Chicago Botanic Garden seeks a Plant Propagator to lead propagation activities for living collections, displays, and research initiatives. You will manage propagation schedules, forecast capacity, and maintain accurate records to support production planning.

You will collaborate with scientists, volunteers, and external partners, acting as a technical resource for propagation systems and labeling processes within a world-class greenhouse facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field required.
• Minimum five years of professional plant propagation experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of propagation techniques and greenhouse operations.

Responsibilities

• Propagate plants via seed, cuttings, division, grafting, and other methods to support Garden programs.
• Grow plants to transplantable size and coordinate delivery to production teams according to schedules.
• Maintain propagation data in the production database to support forecasting and planning.
• Forecast propagation space and communicate needs to the Manager, Plant Production.
• Maintain accurate production records and ensure proper labeling and tracking of plant material.
• Monitor and adjust propagation equipment and environmental settings using the Argus system.
• Supervise staff and assist with onboarding, coaching, and evaluations.
• Collaborate with staff and external partners on propagation requests and project feasibility.
• Support IPM activities and proper pesticide use following policy and regulations.

Skills

Propagation techniques

Greenhouse operations

Environmental controls

Plant production practices

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field

Tools

Brahms database

Argus Environmental Control System

Job description

The Chicago Botanic Garden seeks a Plant Propagator to lead propagation activities for living collections, displays, and research initiatives. You will manage propagation schedules, forecast capacity, and maintain accurate records to support production planning.

You will collaborate with scientists, volunteers, and external partners, acting as a technical resource for propagation systems and labeling processes within a world-class greenhouse facility.