Specialist, Learning and Engagement, Temporary
About The Position
South Coast Botanic Garden’s mission is to connect ALL to the wonders of nature and create offbeat experiences that inspire stewardship and sustainability. The 87-acre destination is an oasis of curated gardens and natural landscapes built atop a reclaimed landfill—serving as a powerful example of environmental renewal. From the Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden to the Living Wall and immersive seasonal exhibits, the Garden offers guests unique opportunities to engage with nature. With continued growth and exciting new developments ahead, this is an exciting time to join a dynamic and evolving organization. South Coast Botanic Garden fosters a workplace culture where strategic focus and cultural health go hand in hand. Team members are collaborative, adaptable, and committed to supporting the Garden’s mission and guest experience. POSITION TITLE Seasonal Specialist, Learning & Engagement REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Reports to Coordinators, Learning & Engagement JOB SUMMARY: The Learning & Engagement Specialist supports the daily operation of existing and future Garden workshops, exhibits, guided experiences, and public programs. Programs may include the seasonal SOAR Tropical Butterfly Pavilion, traveling exhibits, workshops, guided group visits, and future educational or engagement initiatives. This position helps create an exemplary guest experience by learning and delivering approved tour scripts and interpretive content and by implementing engaging programs for guests of all ages. The Seasonal Specialist supports workshop facilitation, leads tours, assists with seasonal exhibit operations, and works alongside employees and volunteers under the direction of the Learning & Engagement Coordinators and Lead Specialists. The position also assists volunteer liaisons, supports exhibit installation, and helps track workshop supplies. Success in this role requires adaptability, collaboration, reliability, and a willingness to support new programs and initiatives as the Garden continues to grow.
Requirements
- One or more years of experience working as a tour guide, instructor, educator, or in a similar interpretive or facilitation role
- Experience facilitating programs, workshops, tours, presentations, performing arts, public speaking, or other audience-facing activities preferred.
- Experience providing welcoming, guest-centered experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal staff across departments and with external audiences, including guests and volunteers
- Ability to follow established frameworks for workshops and programs
- Strong verbal communication skills (experience with improvisation preferred)
- Excellent communication and customer service skills; facilitation or improvisational experience preferred.
- Ability to learn, memorize, and accurately deliver scripts and interpretive content
- Comfortable working in close proximity to insects and other wildlife commonly found in a garden environment
- Commitment to contributing to a respectful, inclusive, and professional work environment.
- Ability to travel between work areas on Garden property and perform job-related duties, with or without reasonable accommodation
- Availability to work a regular schedule that includes weekends (especially Saturdays), with occasional evenings and holidays based on program and operational needs.
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Valid driver’s license or the ability to use an alternative form of transportation necessary to perform job-related essential functions.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with improvisation preferred
- Facilitation or improvisational experience preferred.
Responsibilities
- Implement and lead seasonal workshops. Implementation includes helping to train volunteers, leading material collection, tracking supply inventory, and assisting with set up and tear down for all scheduled workshops.
- Lead interpretive tours and guided experiences, including the tours of our temporary exhibits and all sections of the Guided Group Visit curriculum, connecting exhibits to the Garden’s land reclamation story and plant collections.
- Assist with exhibit installation and preparation, including distributing and packaging exhibit materials, cleaning and stocking exhibit areas, and collaborating with the Operations Department on installation-related tasks.
- Support daily operations of the SOAR Tropical Butterfly Pavilion, including ensuring USDA compliance, receiving and inventorying shipments, cleaning and engaging with guests and volunteers.
- Provide a high-quality, safe, welcoming, and professional experience for guests of all ages and backgrounds, while demonstrating strong customer service skills and collaborating effectively with staff and volunteers across the organization.
- Other duties as assigned
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
