Interpretation Assistant Part-Time

Missouri Botanical Garden • St. Louis, MO

6d • $16 • Onsite

About The Position

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, deepen knowledge, support interest-driven learning, foster deeper connections with the Garden and its global work, and inspire 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral and written).
• H.S. basic math skills: requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals.
• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve conflicts in a fast-paced environment.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

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 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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree