Interpretation Assistant - Full-time

Interpretation Specialist

This is a full-time position. Must have the ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Summary:

Responsible for developing and implementing a wide range of innovative, high quality interpretive strategies that support the Garden's mission. Engages visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities through interpretive programming throughout the Garden in ways that cultivate personal experiences, deepens knowledge, supports interest-driven learning, fosters deeper connections with the Garden and its global work, and inspires more sustainable choices, lifestyles, and actions beyond their visit.

Participates in maintaining interpretive displays and props. Provides visitor information regarding, directions, venues, attractions, special events, classes, and other information, while working in designated interpretive areas. Assists in ensuring safe, positive, and educational engaging visitors experiences.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides Educational Visitor Engagement:
  Participates in developing, researching creating, preparing, and implementing a wide range of non-structured interpretive programming and experiential learning opportunities throughout the Garden, particularly within the Children's Garden, Tower Grove House, Brookings Exploration Center, Plant Lab, and within special exhibit areas. Topics will include (but not limited to) nature, ecosystems, habitats, plant science, biodiversity, adaptations, native and invasive plants, adaptations, history, collections, sustainability, outdoor exploration, citizen science, and seasonal happenings.
  
  Works closely with Manager of Interpretation and Interpretation Supervisors on developing, researching, and implementing interpretive materials that may include signage, print or online publications, guided or self-guided tours, sensory-friendly, audio, visual, interactive digital media, and other interpretive opportunities.
• Ensures Positive Visitor Experiences:
  Engages visitors and provides general information relative to visitor experiences, inquiries, and Garden opportunities. Creates a positive, healthy, and safe learning environment for visitors that is developmentally, culturally, and topically appropriate. Responds to and takes appropriate action to resolve or report concerns and complaints from Garden visitors. Uses judgment to analyze situations and determines best use of resources and when to escalate situations to management.
• Maintains Interpretation & Educational Resources:
  Assists with creating, procuring, maintaining, storing, and organizing program supplies. Monitors and assesses interpretive facilities, conducts routine safety checks, submits maintenance requests, reports concerns and needs to management as appropriate.
• Adheres to Safety Guidelines and First Aid Provider:
  Communicates and enforces the Garden's rules of etiquette to visitors in an effort to orient visitors to interpretive venues. Monitors visitor behavior and ensures adherence to safety guidelines; responds to and administers First Aid/CPR as necessary, reports all incidents as well as any concerns to management.
• Perform administrative tasks related to departmental projects including tracking departmental statistics, submitting internal requests, restocking visitor information materials, supporting volunteers, assisting with training or orientation sessions, contributing to operational updates, providing tours as needed, and representing the department at recurring meetings
• Performs Opening & Closing Duties:
  Actively participates in pre-season set-up operations and post-season closing operations; moving/cleaning equipment, setting up/removing props, stock/remove merchandise, etc. Assists with other Garden events as requested.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
• Per…