Horticulture & Butterfly Encounter Assistant

Connecticut Science Center, Inc; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Connecticut Science Center seeks a Horticulture & Butterfly Encounter Assistant to support the Butterfly Encounter and botanical collections. The role involves maintaining a tropical greenhouse environment, butterfly care, and aiding in rooftop garden exhibits.

The successful candidate will help with environmental controls, plant care, and garden operations while coordinating with the Horticulturalist and Butterfly Encounter Manager. On-site work is required with some evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Minimum associates degree in horticulture, botany, related field or commensurate experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with volunteers and interns.
• Good interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Must possess a valid CT driver’s license.
• Flexible schedule including some nights, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Propagate, develop, and maintain diverse botanical collections.
• Operate and maintain computerized environmental controls systems.
• Coordinate materials and support efficient daily operations.
• Assist in daily routine cleaning and maintenance.
• Care for plants and animals in greenhouse and gardens; maintain landscape quality.
• Apply IPM principles and monitor insect populations.
• Care for butterflies: pinning, labeling and releasing.
• Follow CSC SOPs for USDA APHIS permitted containment.

Skills

Horticulture

Botany

Communication skills

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Volunteer management

Driver's license

Education

Associate degree in horticulture or related field

Job description

• Location 250 Columbus Blvd,Hartford, CT, 06103,United States
• Base Pay $18.00 - $22.00 / Hour
• Job Category horticulture, entomology, visitor experience
• Industry museum, horticulture
• Employee Type Non-Exempt FT
• Required Degree 2 Year Degree
• Manage Others No

Contact information

• Name Jenny Black
• Email [e-mail]

Job Title

Horticulture & Butterfly Encounter Assistant

FLSA

Non-Exempt, Hourly, Full time (35+ hours a week)

Reports to

Horticulturalist & Butterfly Encounter Manager

Wage Range

$18.00 - $22.00 Per Hour

Summary

Serving more than 300,000 adults and children each year, the Connecticut Science Center is the state’s premier destination for informal science learning, a top tourist attraction, a hub for teacher training, and one of the state’s foremost resources for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The Butterfly Encounter Exhibit is a world-class memorable experience for visitors of all ages. The exhibit contains a diverse lush botanical habitat that supports a healthy population of tropical butterflies. The Horticultural & Butterfly Encounter Assistant will assist in the daily operations of the Butterfly Encounter and the Center’s diverse botanical collections, including our extensive green roof system. This position will assist in maintaining a healthy tropical environment for the plants and animals, in addition to butterfly care and maintenance and assist in the cultivation and maintenance of the diverse botanical collections, including but not limited to the extensive green roof systems and rooftop garden exhibits. The successful candidate will join the Connecticut Science Center’s exciting work environment in the stewardship of a unique botanical collection.

Key Responsibilities

• Propagation, development, and maintenance of diverse botanical collections.
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of computerized integrated environmental controls systems.
• Assist in coordination and use of materials and implementation of efficient daily operations.
• Assist in daily routine cleaning and maintenance.
• Ensure the plants and animals in the greenhouse and gardens receive appropriate care, applying the highest level of excellence in landscape maintenance and plant care.
• Apply principles of IPM, identification of insect species and monitoring of pest populations.
• Butterfly care and maintenance including assisting in creating curated collection: pinning, labeling and releasing.
• Perform duties as described in the CSC Standard Operating Procedure manual for a USDA APHIS permitted containment facility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Demonstrate commitment to CT Science Center’s vision, mission and values.
• A minimum associates degree in horticulture, botany, related field or commensurate experience.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work within a team, as well as independently.
• Ability to work with volunteers and interns.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Strong work ethic.
• Must possess a valid CT driver’s license
• Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends and some holidays as needed.
• Ability and expectation to work on site.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work in the heat and humidity of a tropical greenhouse.
• Must be able to work in heat, cold, wind, bright sunshine and uneven surfaces.
• Requires standing walking, bending stooping, pushing, pulling, and reaching for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
• May occasionally climb ladders and operate small power tools/machinery

Qualified applicants will go through an interview process and must successfully complete a background check.

The Connecticut Science Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Summary

• Health and Wellness- Medical, Dental, Vision with 85% employer contribution, company provided life & short-term disability
• Time off- paid vacation, personal, sick time plus holidays
• Retirement- 401(k) plan with 3% company match