Lead Specialist, Learning & Engagement

Job Details

Job Location:

Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274

Position Type:
Part Time Salary Range: $22.00 - $23.00 Hourly

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.

Lead Specialist, Learning & Engagement

Reports to Coordinators, Learning & Engagement

The Lead Specialist, Learning & Engagement implements 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 serves as a lead resource for the Learning & Engagement team by learning and delivering approved interpretive content, providing clear instruction, and creating engaging experiences for guests of all ages. The Lead Specialist facilitates workshops, leads tours, assists with seasonal exhibit operations, and provides task-level guidance to seasonal employees and volunteers under the direction of the Learning & Engagement Coordinators.

The position also serves as a volunteer liaison, assists with exhibit installation, and tracks workshop supplies. Success in this role requires adaptability, collaboration, sound judgment, and a willingness to support new programs and initiatives as the Garden continues to grow.

• Implement and lead seasonal workshops, including assisting with volunteer training, coordinating material collection, tracking supply inventory, and supporting setup and teardown for scheduled workshops.
• Lead interpretive tours and guided experiences, including tours of temporary exhibits and all sections of the Guided Group Visit curriculum, while connecting exhibit content to the Garden's land-reclamation story and plant collections.
• Assist with exhibit installation and preparation by distributing and packaging 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 following applicable USDA requirements and Garden procedures, receiving and inventorying shipments, maintaining clean and stocked areas, and engaging with guests and volunteers.
• Serve as a point of contact and provide day-to-day, task-level guidance to seasonal employees and volunteers, escalating operational or employee concerns to a Learning & Engagement Coordinator.
• Provide a safe, welcoming, professional, and guest-centered experience for people of all ages and backgrounds while collaborating effectively with staff and volunteers across the organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• 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,…