Guest Services Associate - Johnson Wildflower Center

The University of Texas at Austin; United States; On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center seeks two Guest Services Associates to welcome visitors, sell tickets, and provide program information. The role emphasizes guest satisfaction, accuracy in records, and teamwork in a busy ticketing environment.

The position is part-time (up to 19 hours/week) with weekend/evening availability required during peak times, and ends on 8/31/27. Training on Altru and UT policies is provided, with benefits as UT employees.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years of cash register or POS experience.
• Two years in a customer service role.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to multitask in a busy, high-traffic setting.
• Strong communication and customer-service skills.
• Comfort with computer systems and learning new software.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Reliable transportation and ability to work weekends/evenings/holidays.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests in a friendly, professional manner.
• Sell general admission tickets and explain prices and discounts.
• Provide information about the center, exhibits, classes and programs.
• Process payments for programs, classes, school groups, tours and events.
• Answer guest questions and refer complex issues to staff as needed.
• Explain Wildflower Center membership benefits to guests.
• Complete and submit membership forms and update Altru records.
• Use the Altru database and stay current with knowledge base.
• Report software issues to management promptly.
• Review constituents’ records for accuracy and assist in updates per UT standards.
• Keep workspace organized and clean; assist with program operations and event coverage.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

High school diploma or GED

Cash register experience

Customer service experience

Microsoft Office proficiency

Multitasking in high-traffic areas

Excellent communication skills

Knowledge of computer systems

Teamwork and independence

Reliable transportation

Weekend/evening/holiday availability

Altru familiarity (preferred)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Altru

Job description

Job Posting Title: Guest Services Associate - Johnson Wildflower Center – Hiring Department: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Position Open To: All Applicants – Weekly Scheduled Hours: 19 – FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA – Earliest Start Date: Immediately – Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027 – Location: JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

Job Details

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation and cultivation of native plants through its gardens and programs. The Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, gardening, sustainable landscapes, land restoration, plant conservation and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants, welcomes 300,000 visitors annually, has over 18,000 member households and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its popular native plant database. The Center envisions thriving, native plant landscapes everywhere that nurture wildlife, uplift communities, and ensure ecological resilience for generations. Wildflower Center staff are University of Texas at Austin employees receiving all associated benefits as well as an annual membership to the Center, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center events, and discounts at the Shop and Gallery. An inspiring, collaborative and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.

Purpose

The Wildflower Center is seeking two Guest Services Associate to join our team. The ideal candidate will provide top‑non customer service, prioritize guest satisfaction, and demonstrate strong attention to detail and organizational skills, all while championing our mission and goals. This is a part‑time position that ends on 8/31/27. If there is a business need and funding is available, further employment may be offered but is not promised or guaranteed.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests to the Wildflower Center in a professional, friendly, and positive manner.
• Sell general admission tickets, informing guests about ticket prices and discount programs.
• Provide information about the Center and answer questions about current exhibits, classes, projects and programs.
• Receive payment for programs, classes, school groups, tours, and special events through our website, in person, or via phone.
• Responsible for addressing all guest inquiries, referring complex questions to appropriate staff when necessary.
• Provide information about the benefits of a Wildflower Center membership to our guests.
• Accurately complete and submit membership form and create an Altru constituent record.
• Work with Altru database, staying current with knowledge base.
• Report any issues with software immediately to management.
• Review constituents’ records for accuracy and assist in correcting records according to UT standards.
• Maintain an organized and clean working environment.
• Assist with program operations by maintaining first aid kits and ticket booth cleanliness, reporting any issues to immediate supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED.
• Two years of experience on a cash register or point of sale (POS) equipment.
• Two years of experience in a customer service‑related field.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Experience multitasking responsibilities in a high traffic area.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Knowledge of computer systems and ability to learn new software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Reliable transportation.
• Ability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as required during peak seasons and special events.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• More than two years of experience in a box office setting with ticketing or POS system, preferably Altru.
• Museum or public garden experience.
• General knowledge of the outdoors, native plants, the Wildflower Center, Austin, and UT.

Salary

Salary $18.00 per hour

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Ability to work outside in all types of weather, including extreme temperatures. Evening and weekend work will be required for events. Work station is located in our ticketing booth. May stand for long periods of time.

Work Shift

The work schedule is no more than 19 hours per week and will vary with business needs (hours will decrease during slower seasons). Extended hours during evenings and weekends will be required for event coverage. Schedules are generally available two weeks in advance.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staffwho are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be requiredfor finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminateon the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas atAustin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part oftheir essentialjobfunctions cannot disclosethe pay ofother employees or applicants toindividuals who do nototherwisehaveaccess to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistentwiththe contractor’s legalduty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you willrequired to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. Youwillrequired to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.Documentsneedto be presentedno later than the third day of employment. Failure to do sowillresultin loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E‑Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s companyID number for purposes of E‑Verifyis 854197. For more information about E‑Verify, please see the following: E‑Verify Poster (EnglishandSpanish) [PDF] RighttoWorkPoster(English) [PDF] RighttoWorkPoster(Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employeesmay be required to reportviolationsoflaw under TitleIX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime StatisticsAct (Clery Act). If this position is identified a CampusSecurity Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under TitleIX are defined andoutlinedin HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Comments and Inquiries

Emailcomments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll‑free at [phone].

Additional Information

UT Austin is a Tobacco‑free Campus