Position Title: Special Exhibits Associate

Accountability: Special Exhibits Associate reports to the Education Manager, Butterfly Bungalow

Job Classification: Part-time, hourly, seasonal

About: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden inspires a love of nature and its beauty through unforgettable outdoor experiences. The nearly 400 acres of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden provides visitors with a chance to reconnect with nature in all seasons. The property welcomes guests to spectacular gardens, a conservatory dedicated to the display of tropical plants and orchids, sparkling fountains, nearly 6 miles of trails and a dog park.

The Special Exhibits Associate is responsible for supporting the daily operations of the Butterfly Bungalow. In this role, the Special Exhibits Associate will be monitoring the balance and health of the butterflies and plants, interacting, and engaging with the visitors and volunteers, and light garden maintenance. An ideal candidate will be self-motivated, and organized, have good interpersonal skills, eagerness to learn, and the ability to work outside during the summer hours.

Responsibilities:

• Understands the importance of each guest to the Garden and drives excellence to ensure an optimal experience in every way.
• Becomes familiar/comfortable with attending to the care of live animals in the exhibit space, including adult butterflies, eggs, caterpillars and chrysalids.
• Leads interpretive efforts, sharing “butterfly etiquette” with all visitors and guests.
• Speaks formally and informally, on behalf of the Gardens and / or exhibit, ensuring consistent messaging and informed visitors and guests. 
• Provides oversight and collaborates with other Garden staff to successfully ensure smooth transitions and operations including exhibit upkeep and maintenance.
• Monitors and maintains appropriate capacity within the exhibit space.
• Prepares and maintains supply levels at nectar and fruit stations.
• Supports light garden maintenance including watering, deadheading, weeding of plants, and removal of predators in the exhibit.
• Collaborates with additional Garden staff to ensure butterfly-related or pollinator activities are available and accessible for all visitors and groups.
• Collaborates with the emergence chambers to provide butterfly maintenance and emergence tracking as needed.
• Supports all Garden programs and events.
• Transport and releases new butterflies.
• Exemplifies the Garden Mission Statement and supports staff, departments, and leadership in pursuing and achieving goals.
• Performs any other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our values.

Requirements:

• Exhibits a passion for the mission of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
• Successfully pass a standard background review.
• Able to work nights, weekends, and some holidays outside.
• Able to lift/move 30 pounds.
• Enthusiastic, energetic, and inviting.
• Ability to work in a team but also independently and self-motivated.
• Willingness to wear a uniform and work outside.
• Must be willing to serve all guests equally regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation.

Physical Requirements:

• Constant
  • Walking
  • Standing
  • Public Speaking
• Frequent:
  • Sitting
  • Bending & stooping
  • Lifting & carrying
  • Grasping & twisting
  • Reaching
  • Pushing & pulling 
  • Lifting 20+ pounds
• Occasional
  • Climbing & balancing
  • Crawling & kneeling

Experience & Education:

• High school degree required, Bachelor’s degree in environment education, education, horticulture, plant science, or relevant field of study preferred.
• Knowledge or general interest and the desire to learn about native North Carolina butterfly species including their life cycles, insect husbandry, and best exhibit practices.
• Compassionate towards Butterflies and is committed to taking care of the live exhibit.
• Comfortable with handling live and dead insects along with cleaning chemicals.
• Strong public speaking abilities.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Core Values:

We are an organization of integrity.

We are a balanced & inclusive team.

We will foster each other’s growth & well-being.

We will use imagination to fuel innovation.

We will act with intention & initiative.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.