Learning and Engagement Specialist - Plant Information Systems

Learning and Engagement Specialist - Plant Information Systems

The University of Texas at Austin is committed to inspiring the conservation of native plants through its garden, education, research, and outreach programs. Founded by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes in 1982, the Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in native plant education, sustainable landscapes, land restoration and research.

The Center is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants, welcomes over 276,000 visitors annually, has over 17,000 members and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its website and plant database. The Center is focused on improving landscapes, promoting biodiversity, and connecting people with our environment.

The Learning and Engagement Specialist – Plant Information Systems plays a vital role in connecting the public with native plant knowledge through the management of key digital resources, including the Native Plants of North America (NPONA) database, Mr. Smarty Plants, and plant image databases. This position supports the Center’s mission by maintaining accurate and accessible plant information, responding to public inquiries, and enhancing user experience across platforms.

The Specialist fosters meaningful engagement with native plants and ecosystems while supporting the educational goals of the Learning and Engagement team.

• Public Engagement and Resource Sharing. Respond to public requests for native plant information, images, and related resources through email, phone, and in-person inquiries. Ensure timely, accurate, and engaging communication that supports the Center’s mission.
• Digital Innovation and User Experience. Drive innovation of NPONA and related resources to enhance public access and use of native plant information across desktop and mobile platforms. Collaborate with internal teams to improve usability, accessibility, and engagement with plant databases and image libraries.
• Database and Image Library Management. Maintain and update the NPONA database and native plant image library. Ensure data accuracy, metadata consistency, and alignment with current taxonomic standards. Coordinate with IT and content teams to support system functionality and user experience.
• Volunteer Coordination and Program Support. Recruit, train, and manage volunteers who support plant information programs. Develop engagement activities such as training sessions, festival participation, and special events that align with Learning and Engagement goals.
• Content Development and Editorial Support. Contribute to Wildflower Center communications by writing blog posts, educational content, and plant features for the website and other media. Provide editorial support for plant-related publications and outreach materials.
• Other Duties as Assigned. Support mission-related events, including occasional evening and weekend hours. Participate in cross-departmental initiatives and contribute to the continuous improvement of Learning and Engagement programs.

• Minimum 5 years of experience managing a database, preferably related to natural sciences, education, or public engagement.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in customer service, education, or public programming.
• Undergraduate degree in one of the following fields (or related):
  Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science, Information Science, Museum Studies, Education.
• Experience in digital asset management systems, including organizing, tagging, and maintaining image and document libraries.

• Working knowledge of plant taxonomy and classification systems.
• Familiarity with native plants and ecosystems, especially those relevant to Texas and the southern U.S.
• Understanding of AI technologies and their potential applications in public engagement and database accessibility.

This job requires a class “C” operator’s driver’s license. The applicant selected must provide a current three-year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver’s license must be obtained within 30…