Learning and Community Engagement Assistant

Learning and Community Engagement Assistant

Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a 55-acre botanic garden in the heart of Duke University that inspires transformative learning, promotes wellness and builds community. More than 600,000 people visit the Gardens annually. The Learning and Community Engagement team offers a broad range of ways to engage visitors and program audiences in garden‑inspired learning. The Learning and Community Engagement Assistant is responsible for frontline visitor service and administrative support for all program areas, including school programs, tours, adult and university programs, volunteers and visitor experience.

This permanent part‑time position works 32 hours over 5 days per week, in person, generally on weekdays between 8:30 am–5 pm.

• Serve visitors, program participants and Gardens members at the highest level of customer service.
• Develop, implement and maintain data management systems for all program audiences in databases, spreadsheets, shared calendars and registration software.
• Regularly update the operations manual to document systems processes.
• Establish and follow data entry protocols, maintain organized records and produce timely reports.
• Assist in managing registration for various program areas, including adult, family, university and school programs, summer camps and tours; input programs into registration software, prepare contracts and advise staff on enrollment status.
• Process secure payments, reconcile revenue across program areas, maintain point‑of‑sale equipment and liaise with Duke University departments that oversee program accounts.
• Assist in Welcome Center front‑desk operations and coordinate with visitor‑experience volunteers and student workers.
• Assist in inventory and restock of visitor‑services supplies.
• Respond to phone calls, emails and in‑person questions from visitors and program participants.
• Collaborate with staff to evaluate and improve visitor service.
• Assist in maintaining program spaces, including Welcome Center resources, classroom supplies, AV equipment and other program materials.
• Maintain knowledge of garden and program areas through participation in meetings, tours and trainings.

• Excellent frontline customer service, phone etiquette and practical problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with computer programs:
  Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat, Airtable or similar databases and ability to learn new technology quickly.
• Effective collaboration across staff teams and proactive sourcing of information.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple competing projects and goals while remaining organized and completing tasks in a timely manner.
• Maintain focus amid frequent interruptions.
• Basic math functions necessary for financial reconciliation and database management, including calculations with fractions, percentages, and ratios.
• Attention to detail.
• Capacity to communicate effectively and tactfully with many different audiences and constituencies through multiple methods.
• Dedication to creating and supporting a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for teammates, volunteers, and program participants.

• 40 % – Frontline visitor services support, including responding to inquiries and Welcome Center operations.
• 50 % – Administrative support for Learning and Community Engagement programs.
• 10 % – Maintain knowledge of garden and program areas.

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor’s degree program or equivalent professional certifications.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

This position has an hourly pay rate with a pay range of $19.80–30.63. Duke University provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental care programs, retirement benefits and family‑friendly and cultural programs.

Apply through Duke Careers and submit a copy of your resume and cover letter to Gardens Jobs.