Program Assistants

UTN; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum, in partnership with the University of Utah, invites applications for a part-time Program Assistant I/II to support school programs, planning and leading field trips, classroom visits, summer camps, and related activities. You will share your passion for the outdoors, plants, and education with school-aged children.

This role emphasizes outdoor work, collaboration with classroom staff, and support for seasonal events.

Qualifications

• 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience.
• Position may be placed at Program Assistant I or II depending on experience.

Responsibilities

• Teaching plant science through on-site and off-site programs for elementary school students
• Assisting in daily operations by maintaining supplies, facilities, and equipment
• Assisting the Programs department with other activities, programs, and seasonal events as needed

Job description

Track Level S2 - Intermediate, S1 - Entry Level Support

FLSA Code

FLSA Code Nonexempt

Patient Sensitive Job Code?

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Type

Temporary?

Temporary? No

Standard Hours per Week 19

Full Time or Part Time?

Full Time or Part Time? Part Time

Shift

Shift Variable

Work Schedule Summary

Varies depending on season. Primarily Monday through Thursday with some Friday work required. Working hours are typically between 8:30am and 3:30pm but may start or end earlier depending on programs. Optional evening and weekend work possible.

Is this a work study job?

Is this a work study job? No

VP Area

VP Area President

Department

Location

Location Campus

City

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range

Pay Rate Range $16.00 - $18.00, depending on experience

Close Date

Close Date 12/31/2026

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) 02/03/2027

Job Summary

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, serves as the State Arboretum of Utah. Located on 100 acres in the foothills above the University of Utah campus, Red Butte Garden includes over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of natural area trails. The Garden is nationally recognized for its diverse plant collections, seasonal floral displays, outdoor concert series, private event spaces, and award winning horticultural education programs.
Join Red Butte Garden’s School Programs team in connecting students with nature through informal education! Share your passion for the outdoors, the environment, and plants with school aged kids during field trips, classroom visits, summer camps, and more. Gain valuable experience planning and teaching school programs and seasonal events. Must enjoy being outdoors and working with school aged children. Depending on season, this position will be planning, preparing for, and leading field trips within the Garden, leading off-site classroom visits, teaching summer camps, or supporting other programs.

Responsibilities

• Teaching plant science through on-site and off-site programs for elementary school students
• Assisting in daily operations by maintaining supplies, facilities, and equipment
• Assisting the Programs department with other activities, programs, and seasonal events as needed

Work Environment and level or Frequency typically required
Often: Classroom and school environment, outdoor (garden) environment, storage and tool rooms, greenhouse, event spaces, public spaces

Physical Requirements and level of frequency that may be required
Often: standing, sitting, listening, talking, walking (sometimes on hilly, uneven terrain), driving trams, bending, reaching overhead, repetitive hand motion (such as typing), lifting and carrying up to 50lbs, setting up and moving around classroom spaces

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Program Assistant,, I: Requires little to no related experience.

Program Assistant,, II: Requires at least 1 year of related experience.

Preferences

• An interest in environmental and informal education, demonstrated by education, previous employment, or personal pursuits
• An interest in plants, demonstrated by education, previous employment, or personal pursuits
• Experience working in an outdoor setting
• Enjoy being outdoors
• Enjoy teaching/leading school aged children, primarily ages K-6th grade

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page .
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