Program Assistants

Job Summary

Red Butte Garden is seeking a part‑time, year‑round Youth & Family Programs Assistant comfortable working directly with people, guiding hands‑on activities, and helping programs run smoothly in busy public settings.

The Assistant works directly with guests of all ages and helps create a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning experience connecting people with plants and the natural world. The position is active and guest‑facing, requiring comfort working outdoors, interacting with large groups, and adapting to fast‑paced public programs.

Red Butte Garden is accessible through multiple public transit options. Several bus routes serve Research Park and the University Medical Center, and the Trax Red Line provides nearby access, followed by a short walk or an on‑demand University campus shuttle. The campus shuttle’s Sunnyside Route offers direct service to Red Butte Garden.

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Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Program Facilitation & Youth Engagement

• Help deliver youth and family programs including camps, preschool classes, outreach programs, and seasonal events
• Lead hands‑on activities and support instructors during educational programming
• Foster positive interactions with participants
• Provide clear instructions and guidance to children and families during activities
• Lead activity stations independently after training as assigned

Event Operations & Support

• Support public events such as Arbor Day, Garden After Dark, Winter Solstice, Friends & Family Nights, and summer programming
• Assist with set‑up, operation, and breakdown of program areas and activity stations
• Help maintain program flow, lines, and crowd movement
• Coordinate with staff, volunteers, performers, and vendors as needed during programs
• Maintain activity flow during large public events

Curriculum & Activity Development

• Assist in developing and preparing educational activities connecting plants, ecology, and STEAM concepts
• Adapt activities for different ages and abilities
• Provide feedback on program effectiveness and participant engagement

Guest Experience & Communication

• Provide welcoming, professional customer service to guests
• Answer visitor questions and communicate program information clearly
• Represent Red Butte Garden in a professional manner when interacting with program guests, volunteers, performers, and vendors

Safety & Program Readiness

• Maintain awareness of participant well‑being during programs
• Follow all Garden safety procedures and emergency protocols
• Monitor program areas, supplies, and equipment for safe use and readiness
• Report safety concerns or incidents promptly to staff
• Work collaboratively with full‑time staff, seasonal staff, volunteers, and interns
• Provide guidance and assistance to volunteers during programs
• Perform other duties as assigned
• This position is active and requires frequent walking, standing, bending, and lifting program materials. Work takes place both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Programs occur in public spaces that may be crowded, noisy, and fast‑paced. Staff regularly interact with children, families, and large groups of visitors.
• Some events may include evening hours, amplified sound, or theatrical effects.

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Youth & Family Program Assistant, I:
Requires little to no related experience.

Youth & Family Program Assistant, II:
Requires at least 1 year of related experience.

• Experience working with children in camps, education programs, recreation, or informal learning environments
• Experience engaging groups in hands‑on or interactive activities
• Experience balancing multiple tasks in active or fast‑paced settings
• Experience working public events, festivals, museums, or high‑visitor environments
• Cours…