Exhibit and Interpretation Specialist Reports to: Director of Education Updated: December 2024 This is a full-time, non-exempt position Pay Range: $21-23 per hour Job Responsibilities: The Exhibit Specialist is a key member of both the Education Department and Storytelling Team, responsible for collaborating on the research, execution, and interpretation of an engaging exhibition calendar and specifically contributes toward the creation, support, and facilitation of a seasonal indoor butterfly exhibit. Overall, this position assists with the execution, coordination, preparation, and installation of exhibits, ensuring the delivery of exciting and immersive experiences for all visitors. Seasonal Butterfly Exhibit
- Take the lead in overseeing and coordinating a seasonal indoor living butterfly exhibit. This exhibit takes place annually, June - August.
- Support the care of living butterflies featured in annual exhibit. This includes sharing basic caretaking responsibilities, monitoring and correcting any potential health issues, and maintaining a clean and safe living environment.
- Ensure compliance with USDA APHIS regulations for plant and animal security, including proper disposal of all materials and maintenance of facility; write and maintain annual report to USDA recording live animal viability and parasitic issues, if any.
- Develop live animal inventory plan to secure compelling exhibit display and manage ordering stock, including adult butterflies and chrysalides, from a diverse range of vendors, while ensuring compliance with USDA permit.
- Process and pin shipments of chrysalides for emergence, release emerged butterflies into the exhibit, and facilitate proper disposal of butterflies in compliance with federal regulations.
- Ensure availability of sufficient food sources for butterflies, including nectar plants and supplemental nourishment.
- Regularly communicate with Horticulture Team regarding nectar plant needs, as well as any exhibit maintenance items related to plant displays.
Exhibits and Interpretation
- In collaboration with the Education Department and Storytelling Team, assist in researching and designing a unique and engaging exhibition calendar.
- Work alongside multiple departments to help coordinate all aspects of plant and art exhibits including research, design and implementation.
- Assist with facilitating the visions of seasonal and annual exhibitions. This includes supply procurement, construction, hardscaping, painting, organizing, etc.
- Assist with communication with and facilitation of outside exhibitions.
- Work with Director of Education to identify interpretive needs for special exhibits and permanent collections.
- Assist with creation and development of interpretive signage elements for seasonal exhibits and plant collections. Research content for interpretation and write interpretive text as needed.
- Develop and implement a wide range of interpretive programming and experiential learning opportunities relating to exhibits and plant collections.
- Facilitate interpretive programming as needed.
- Work with Director of Education and Educator & Volunteer Coordinator to develop and facilitate seasonal training programs for staff and volunteers to highlight visitor experience objectives, interpretive programming, and operational standards for all exhibits, including Seasonal Butterfly Exhibit. Lead training sessions for staff and volunteers as needed.
Teamwork & Relationship Building
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with co-workers, volunteers and committees.
- Lead by example to ensure a welcoming environment and an excellent experience for visitors from arrival to departure.
- Encourage open communication where new ideas and innovation are fostered within your team and other staff.
- Help to create a positive, transparent, collaborative and fair work environment.
- Work closely with volunteers to ensure they are thoughtfully engaged, treated with the utmost respect and are utilized to their fullest potential.
- Take initiative and work with the Director of Education to ensure thoughtful compliance with the organization's Mission, Vision, Policies, Procedures, Core Values, Inclusion Code of Conduct and Strategic Plan.
General
- Professionally serve as a representative of the Botanical Gardens to all clients, visitors, vendors, government officials and any/all external sources.
- Individuals will be required to work a flexible schedule. Some evenings, weekends and holidays will be required.
- Assist at Botanical Gardens events as needed.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Education, Skills, Qualifications: Education and Experience A bachelor's or associate degree and 3-5 years' experience in Education, Natural Sciences, Museum Studies, or a related field. Experience working in a museum, with exhibits and/or with live collections is preferred. Skills and Characteristics
- A passion for mission-driven education and visitor engagement, and for nurturing both plant life and healthy professional relationships with co-workers and volunteers.
- An enthusiastic lifelong learner with a strong interest in the natural world, plants, insects, and their human connections.
- Confident in communicating with staff, volunteers and the public.
- Familiarity with butterfly care and maintenance.
- Enthusiastic, self-motivated, trustworthy, reliable, and team oriented.
- The ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment while maintaining strict attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal skills and possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Maintain a positive attitude and apparent enthusiasm for the job and the organization.
- Computer skills including Microsoft applications, workflow software.
- Must be willing and able to sustain moderate physical exertion, with a full range of body motion, lift to 50lbs, and at times work in all weather conditions including a high-temperature greenhouse environment.
Professionalism
- Maintain a clean and professional appearance at all times.
- Maintain required attendance and punctuality.
- Adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the Employee Handbook.
- Show respect and courtesy in all interactions with the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens' relationships.
Teamwork and Diversity
- Support and communicate with supervisor and co-workers in a cooperative manner.
- Share in the housekeeping of the Botanical Gardens to ensure staff and visitor safety.
- Assist with special events as required.
- Model and practice respect, fair treatment, and acceptance of people of all identities, beliefs, and viewpoints in all interpersonal interactions.
- Demonstrate initiative and leadership in learning about and implementing skills related to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility We are committed to overcoming barriers to be the most inclusive organization we can be, where all feel welcome and included and we can grow together. All employees have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times. A successful work environment is built on:
- Respectful communication and cooperation between all employees.
- Fair treatment, and acceptance of people of all identities, beliefs, and viewpoints in all interpersonal interactions.
- Teamwork and employee participation that embraces all perspectives.
- Demonstrating initiative in learning about and implementing skills related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
- Employer and employee contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for diversity.
Our Mission Deepening the connection between people and plants through beautiful gardens and extraordinary experiences. Core Values The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens welcomes all visitors and is committed to creating an environment free of discrimination and harassment where all individuals are treated with respect. The Society strives to ensure that its collection, facilities, and programming are inclusive and accessible in order to provide a successful and engaging experience for all audiences. It is extremely important to us that our employees demonstrate the utmost respect for co-workers, volunteers, visitors, our plant collections, historic conservatory, grounds and campus buildings.
- We are fascinated by plants. Plants provide fundamental nutrients that sustain life on our planet. We connect people to the power of plants through educational storytelling and an inspiring, immersive plant environment.
- We create wonder. We are innovative and enthusiastic; we embrace possibility. Through curating rich and colorful educational experiences, we seek to inspire curiosity about the natural world.
- We respect our planet. We recognize that Earth's health fundamentally depends on a thriving ecosystem of plants and pollinators. We respect our environment, preserve natural resources, and strive to improve sustainability.
- We welcome all. The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is for everyone. We are committed to being wholeheartedly inclusive, where all feel welcome. We continue to work to overcome barriers, address systemic injustices, and challenge ourselves to grow together and to be the most welcoming organization we can be.
- We celebrate our legacy. We are stewards of our historic conservatory and our legacy. We celebrate the stories of those who came before us and excite generations of visitors into the future.
Botanical Gardens' Culture We strive to create Wow, Wonder and Welcome within your teams and for the public. We create the Wow factor by being innovative, creative and enthusiastic, by embracing all possibilities and celebrating our successes. We generate Wonder by building experiences that are beautiful, colorful, inspire curiosity and encourage our visitors and each other to be engaged in the natural world. We are always inclusive and welcoming to all by being kind, empathetic and respectful to all individuals and their unique perspectives. We look forward to exploring how you can positively contribute to our Wow, Wonder and Welcome culture. Benefits This is a full-time position, and we offer a wide range of benefits including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, a retirement plan option with company match, PTO, vacation time and flexible scheduling.