Seasonal Gardener

Position Available: 
Seasonal Gardener
Status: Part Time, Seasonal
Application deadline: Open until filled

Join a team of passionate, professional naturalists who seek to help people make meaningful connections with the natural world. Through beautiful wildflowers, heirloom vegetables, and hands-on raised beds, the seasonal gardener will help connect people of all ages with nature through soil, plants, and pollinators.

Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) is a non-profit organization that works to connect all people to nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. CNC’s gardens include native plant gardens, homestead gardens, and children’s gardens. The goal of each garden is to connect visitors and program participants with nature in a meaningful way. CNC has 19-miles of trails, a Visitor Center with indoor and outdoor exhibits, Nature Education Center, Nature Preschool, Homestead Farm and Log Schoolhouse situated on 2,000 acres at the confluence of the Pine and Chippewa Rivers. 

Position Objective: To enhance CNC’s outdoor exhibits through supporting and maintaining existing and new garden areas at the Visitor Center, Nature Preschool, Nature Education Center, and Homestead Farm.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintain gardens through weeding, watering, planting, pruning, mulching, and amending soil.
• Follow established direction and vision for the garden areas while sharing insight and information with the program team. 
• Communicate effectively with visitors and program participants about the gardens, their contents, and purposes.
• Work closely with volunteers.
• Follow all safety and security practices and policies. 
• Be an engaged member of the CNC team, attending staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Experience working outdoors in all conditions (heat, humidity, rain, presence of mosquitos, bees, etc.)
• Ability to identify or learn to identify plants
• Ability to be self-directed within scope of work
• Ability to communicate with visitors of all ages
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position (kneeling, bending, managing hand and basic power tools, lifting 50 pounds)
• Certification in CPR and basic first aid (or ability to become certified)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in an outdoor educational setting
• Experience working with volunteers
• Knowledge of native plants and heirloom vegetables 

Schedule: 20 hours per week; flexible schedule (Sunday afternoons preferred)

Start Date: Early to mid-May

End Date: Mid-to late August

Compensation & Benefits: $14.50/hr; staff uniform, CNC membership, 20% discount in Nature Center Store, 10% discount on registered program member fee

Application procedure: Send resume and cover letter to Jenn Kirts, Director of Programs, jkirts@chippewanaturecenter.org or 400 S Badour Rd, Midland, MI  48640

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Overview: CNC is a nonprofit, environmental education organization. Its mission is to connect all people to nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. The 2,000-acre property includes woodlands, fields, ponds and rivers. CNC’s facilities consist of a Visitor Center with a River Overlook, Ecosystem Gallery, Wildlife Viewing Area and more; an 1870s Homestead Farm complex; Nature Education Center; Nature Preschool; an arboretum and 19 miles of trails. Visit www.chippewanaturecenter.org for more information.

Chippewa Nature Center is committed to creating a workplace and visitor experience where all people feel valued for their unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives. Staff, volunteers, program participants, visitors, and all those who engage with the nature center are invited to fully connect with CNC regardless of their race, color, age, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, marital status, political affiliation, or parental status. Through ongoing learning, training, and listening, CNC strives to welcome all people.

Equal Opportunity Employer: CNC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, height, weight, handicap or disability, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal laws.