Caine Conservatory - Student Assistants (Botanical Conservatory Assistants, Conservatory Ambassador, Marketing Assistant and/or Curatorial Assistant

High Point University•High Point, NC

13d•$9 - $10•Onsite

About The Position

Student assistants support the Don & Teresa Caine Conservatory, a botanical teaching conservatory in the Wanek School of Natural Sciences at High Point University. The conservatory maintains a plant collection that is both educational and visually appealing, supports natural science classes, and provides a year-round space for the campus community. Work takes place mostly or entirely in the Caine Conservatory, across approximately 8,000 square feet of display, research, and production spaces, including the main display house and north production and south desert greenhouses. The posting describes several possible roles: Botanical Conservatory Assistant, Exhibition Production Assistant, Conservatory Ambassador, Marketing Assistant, Production/Propagation Assistant, and Curatorial Assistant. Duties vary by role and may include greenhouse and garden plant care and propagation; producing displays, installations, and exhibitions; engaging and educating visitors; creating and tracking marketing campaigns; and labeling, researching, and caring for the plant collection. Hours vary by job requirements, with a maximum of 20 hours per week. A minimum of 5 hours per week is required during Spring and 10 hours per week during Summer. Some positions assume intermittent work during Spring and Summer breaks. Some weekend and summer hours are available for Lead Assistants. Positions are available for Spring and/or Summer 2027, for a semester at a time, with potential rehire.

Requirements

For the Botanical Conservatory Assistant role, have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
For the Botanical Conservatory Assistant role, be able to move over uneven pavement and around obstacles, bend, kneel, and grasp during horticulture activities.
For the Botanical Conservatory Assistant role, have visual and tactile acuity.
For the Botanical Conservatory Assistant role, be able to lift 25 pounds and occasionally lift 40 pounds.
Meet the minimum weekly commitment of 5 hours during Spring and 10 hours during Summer, subject to the student employee maximum of 20 hours per week.

Nice To Haves

Enthusiasm for plants and an interest in greenhouse and conservatory work.
Good communication with staff and a desire to learn new skills.

Responsibilities

Support the conservatory’s display, research, and production spaces.
Help plan, produce, install, and support botanical displays and exhibitions, and assist with the care, storage, movement, and stewardship of conservatory collections.
Greet visitors, answer questions about plants and conservatory features, provide educational information, assist with way-finding, and lead guided tours.
Maintain records of visitor feedback and observations to inform future programming.
Plan and implement marketing campaigns across social media, email newsletters, and website content.
Draft marketing copy, conduct market research, track campaign performance, update social media, respond to comments and messages, and help create marketing materials.
Manage marketing calendars, databases, and files.
Propagate, water, fertilize, prune, transplant, groom, and repot greenhouse and garden plants.
Monitor plant health, identify potential pests or diseases, and report issues to the supervisor.
Maintain cleanliness and organization in the conservatory, including potting areas and storage spaces.
Assist with botanical projects, plant installations, seasonal displays, workshops, events, and outreach activities.
Label and organize plants using exact botanical names; research plant signage and exhibit themes.
Support educational programming, student programs, tours, public events, and interpretive displays.