Lead Specialist, Learning & Engagement

South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation; Palos Verdes Peninsula (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation in Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA, is seeking a Lead Specialist, Learning & Engagement. This year-round, part-time role focuses on developing and delivering workshops, exhibits, tours, and public programs for guests of all ages.

You will lead the Learning & Engagement team, collaborate across departments, work weekends, and support butterfly pavilion operations while ensuring safety and accessibility.

Qualifications

• One or more years of experience as tour guide, instructor, educator, or similar interpretive role.
• Experience facilitating programs, workshops, tours, presentations, public speaking, or other audience-facing activities.
• Ability to learn, memorize, and accurately deliver scripts and interpretive content.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Comfortable working in close proximity to insects and wildlife.
• Willingness to travel between Garden areas.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal workshops, including volunteer training and material collection.
• Lead interpretive tours and guided experiences, linking content to the Garden's land-reclamation story.
• Assist with exhibit installation and prep with Operations.
• Support daily butterfly pavilion operations per USDA rules and garden procedures.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to seasonal employees and volunteers.
• Create a safe, welcoming guest experience and collaborate with staff.

Skills

Tour guiding

Public speaking

Facilitation

Customer service

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Memorization of scripts

Flexibility

Work outdoors

Safety procedures

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274Position Type: Part TimeSalary Range: $22.00 - $23.00 Hourly

South Coast Botanic Garden's mission is to connect ALL to the wonders of nature and create offbeat experiences that inspire stewardship and sustainability. The 87-acre destination is an oasis of curated gardens and natural landscapes built atop a reclaimed landfill - serving as a powerful example of environmental renewal.

From the Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden to the Living Wall and immersive seasonal exhibits, the Garden offers guests unique opportunities to engage with nature. With continued growth and exciting new developments ahead, this is an exciting time to join a dynamic and evolving organization.

South Coast Botanic Garden fosters a workplace culture where strategic focus and cultural health go hand in hand. Team members are collaborative, adaptable, and committed to supporting the Garden's mission and guest experience.

POSITION TITLE

Lead Specialist, Learning & Engagement

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

Reports to Coordinators, Learning & Engagement

JOB SUMMARY

The Lead Specialist, Learning & Engagement implements existing and future Garden workshops, exhibits, guided experiences, and public programs. Programs may include the seasonal SOAR Tropical Butterfly Pavilion, traveling exhibits, workshops, guided group visits, and future educational or engagement initiatives.

This position serves as a lead resource for the Learning & Engagement team by learning and delivering approved interpretive content, providing clear instruction, and creating engaging experiences for guests of all ages. The Lead Specialist facilitates workshops, leads tours, assists with seasonal exhibit operations, and provides task-level guidance to seasonal employees and volunteers under the direction of the Learning & Engagement Coordinators.

The position also serves as a volunteer liaison, assists with exhibit installation, and tracks workshop supplies. Success in this role requires adaptability, collaboration, sound judgment, and a willingness to support new programs and initiatives as the Garden continues to grow.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement and lead seasonal workshops, including assisting with volunteer training, coordinating material collection, tracking supply inventory, and supporting setup and teardown for scheduled workshops.
• Lead interpretive tours and guided experiences, including tours of temporary exhibits and all sections of the Guided Group Visit curriculum, while connecting exhibit content to the Garden's land-reclamation story and plant collections.
• Assist with exhibit installation and preparation by distributing and packaging materials, cleaning and stocking exhibit areas, and collaborating with the Operations Department on installation-related tasks.
• Support daily operations of the SOAR Tropical Butterfly Pavilion, including following applicable USDA requirements and Garden procedures, receiving and inventorying shipments, maintaining clean and stocked areas, and engaging with guests and volunteers.
• Serve as a point of contact and provide day-to-day, task-level guidance to seasonal employees and volunteers, escalating operational or employee concerns to a Learning & Engagement Coordinator.
• Provide a safe, welcoming, professional, and guest-centered experience for people of all ages and backgrounds while collaborating effectively with staff and volunteers across the organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• One or more years of experience working as a tour guide, instructor, educator, or in a similar interpretive or facilitation role
• Experience facilitating programs, workshops, tours, presentations, performing arts, public speaking, or other audience-facing activities preferred.
• Experience providing welcoming, guest-centered experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal staff across departments and with external audiences, including guests and volunteers
• Ability to follow established program frameworks, procedures, and safety requirements for workshops and programs
• Strong verbal communication, facilitation, and customer service skills; improvisational experience preferred.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to learn, memorize, and accurately deliver scripts and interpretive content
• Comfortable working in close proximity to insects and other wildlife commonly found in a garden environment
• Commitment to contributing to a respectful, inclusive, and professional work environment
• Ability to travel between work areas on Garden property and perform job-related duties, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Availability to work a regular schedule that includes weekends (especially Sundays), with occasional evenings and holidays based on program and operational needs.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Valid driver's license or the ability to use an alternative form of transportation necessary to perform job-related essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequently bend, reach, and move throughout indoor and outdoor Garden spaces.
• Perform work outdoors for consecutive hours in varying weather conditions.
• Lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Handle program supplies, exhibit materials, and wildlife-related items in accordance with established procedures.

POSITION AND COMPENSATION

This is a year-round, part-time, non-exempt position with an hourly pay range of $22-23 per hour, based on experience. The anticipated schedule is 16-26 hours per week, and includes regular weekend work, with occasional evening and holiday assignments based on program and operational needs.

South Coast Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and celebrate the unique perspectives, experiences and talents each employee brings to our organization. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision-making, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.