Interpretation Assistant-Full Time

Schedule: Sunday–Thursday, requires weekend and some evening shifts.

Summary: Responsible for developing and implementing a wide range of innovative, high quality interpretive strategies that support the Garden’s mission. Engages visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities through interpretive programming throughout the Garden in ways that; cultivate personal experiences, deepens knowledge, supports interest-driven learning, fosters deeper connections with the Garden and its global work, and inspires more sustainable choices, lifestyles, and actions beyond their visit. Participates in maintaining interpretive displays and props. Provides visitor information regarding, directions, venues, attractions, special events, classes, and other information, while working in designated interpretive areas. Assists in ensuring safe, positive, and educational engaging visitors experiences.   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Provides Educational Visitor Engagement: Participates in developing, researching creating, preparing, and implementing a wide range of non-structured interpretive programming and experiential learning opportunities throughout the Garden, particularly within the Children’s Garden, Tower Grove House, Brookings Exploration Center, PlantLab, and within special exhibit areas. Topics will include (but not limited to) nature, ecosystems, habitats, plant science, biodiversity, adaptations, native and invasive plants, adaptations, history, collections, sustainability, outdoor exploration, citizen science, and seasonal happenings. Works closely  with Manager of Interpretation and Interpretation Supervisors on developing, researching, and implementing interpretive materials that may include signage, print or online publications, guided or self-guided tours, sensory-friendly, audio, visual, interactive digital media, and other interpretive opportunities.  

• Ensures Positive Visitor Experiences:  Engages visitors and provides general information relative to visitor experiences, inquiries, and Garden opportunities. Creates a positive, healthy, and safe learning environment for visitors that is developmentally, culturally, and topically appropriate. Responds to and takes appropriate action to resolve or report concerns and complaints from Garden visitors. Uses judgment to analyze situations and determines best use of resources and when to escalate situations to management.  

• Maintains Interpretation & Educational Resources: Assists with creating, procuring, maintaining, storing, and organizing program supplies.  Monitors and assesses interpretive facilities, conducts routine safety checks, submits maintenance requests, reports concerns and needs to management as appropriate.  

• Adheres to Safety Guidelines and First Aid Provider: Communicates and enforces the Garden’s rules of etiquette to visitors in an effort to orient visitors to interpretive venues. Monitors visitor behavior and ensures adherence to safety guidelines; responds to and administers First Aid/CPR as necessary, reports all incidents as well as any concerns to management.   

• Perform administrative tasks related to departmental projects including tracking departmental statistics, submitting internal requests, restocking visitor information materials, supporting volunteers, assisting with training or orientation sessions, contributing to operational updates, providing tours as needed, and representing the department at recurring meetings 

• Performs Opening & Closing Duties: Actively participates in pre-season set-up operations and post-season closing operations; moving/cleaning equipment, setting up/removing props, stock/remove merchandise, etc. Assists with other Garden events as requested.  

• Meets expected attendance guidelines.   

• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.  
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.  
• Performs other duties as assigned.  

Core Competencies:  

• Communication – Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations. 

• Collaboration – Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences. 

• Accountability – Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues’ concerns. 

• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions. 

• Stewardship – Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours. 

Qualifications/Experience:  

• One to three years of experience working developing, preparing, and delivering engaging educational opportunities with audiences of diverse ages, ethnicities, abilities, and backgrounds is strongly preferred. 

• Strong presentation and public speaking skills along with excellent communication, interpersonal, and writing skills; speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.  

• Experience researching and developing interpretive programs and experiential learning opportunities.  

• Demonstrated strength, experience, and understanding of visitor-centric approaches, responds in a friendly and helpful manner to visitor inquiries and concerns. Experience working with audiences of diverse ages, ethnicities, experiences, and educational backgrounds.  

• Proven ability to work in a successful, collaborative, team environment, is tactful and treats others with respect, and listens and gets clarification.    

• Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills. Must be able to quickly analyze inquiries and determine steps for resolution.  

• Process design and improvement skills to lead continuous improvement.  

• Ability to prioritize work and perform under pressure; strong time management and planning/organizing skills.  

• Work quality and dependability; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; follows instructions; welcomes and applies feedback to improve performance.   

• Scheduling flexibility that allows routinely working weekends, holidays and some evenings.  

• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion with minimum instructions and adhere to established routines and practices in a reasonable amount of time. Must be able to learn new skills quickly, be resourceful and self-reliant, as well as take initiative.  

• Ability to provide visitor experiences and services as well as work on multiple projects within a fast-paced mission based public attraction and cultural institution.  

• Must maintain a positive attitude and professional appearance at all times.   

• Adherence to all health and safety guidelines as well as Garden and departmental policies/procedures, uniform standards and requirements, etc.  

• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests.  All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date.  The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines.  When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.  

• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.  

Education:   

• Associates Degree in education, science education, ecology, environmental science, natural resources, public horticulture, interpretation, recreation or equivalent required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred. 

• Must have completed college level course work in interpretation, early childhood education, botany, biology, history, museum studies, or other related subjects. 
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.  

Computer Skills:  

• Proficient experience using a computer and keyboard is required.  
• Proficient experience using Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Windows XP, Outlook, Word Excel, and Publisher)  
• Solid Internet and Library research skills. 

Language Skills:  

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral and written).  

Mathematical Skills:  

• H.S. basic math skills: requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals.  

Reasoning Ability:  

• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve conflicts in a fast-paced environment.  

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:   

• Must be able to obtain and maintain CIG (or equivalent) certification through the National Association for Interpretation. 
• Must be able to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR certification, adult and child. 

Physical Demands:   

• Ability to effectively utilize computer keyboard and touch screen monitor.  

• Ability to lift and carry a minimum weight of 20-40 pounds.  

• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, etc.)  

• Ability and willingness to work in varying temperatures and all weather conditions.  
• Requires standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching for extended periods of time – 85% or more of the work week is standing on feet talking with and engaging visitors in activities.  

Work Environment:   

• Ability to work in fast-paced, team-oriented environment.   

• Actively engages in hands-on participation with visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities when delivering informal interpretive programming to a non-captive audience.  

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100°F as well as temperatures below 0°F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed).  

• Works hands-on cooperatively with Interpretation Team on plant maintenance and artifact care tasks as needed.  

• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to the public with diverse visitors, in a safe, friendly, and professional manner.  
• Must wear Garden-provided uniform shirts, jackets, and adhere to all dress code requirements for the Interpretation Department.  

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:  

•  Interacts with visitors of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, volunteers (adults, interns, teens), and Garden employees on a daily basis in person, via telephone and through e-mail.  

Supervisor (reports to): Supervisor, Interpretation