Specialist, Learning and Engagement, Temporary

SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN FOUNDATION; Palos Verdes Peninsula (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation in Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA, seeks a Seasonal Specialist, Learning & Engagement, to support workshops, exhibits, guided experiences, and public programs. You will learn approved scripts, deliver interpretive content, and help run the SOAR Tropical Butterfly Pavilion, traveling exhibits, and group visits.

The role emphasizes guest satisfaction, collaboration with staff and volunteers, and adaptability in a growing garden.

Qualifications

• 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, or 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.

Responsibilities

• Implement and lead seasonal workshops, including training volunteers, coordinating materials, tracking supplies, and setting up and tearing down.
• Lead interpretive tours and guided experiences, connecting exhibits to the garden's story and plant collections.
• Assist with exhibit installation and preparation, including distribution of materials and collaboration with the Operations Department.
• Support daily operations of the SOAR Tropical Butterfly Pavilion, including USDA compliance and guest engagement.
• Provide a high-quality, safe, welcoming experience for guests of all ages, collaborating across the organization.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Tour guiding

Public speaking

Customer service

Team collaboration

Workshop facilitation

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274

Position Type: Seasonal

Salary Range: $21.00 - $22.00 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

Seasonal Specialist, Learning & Engagement

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to Coordinators, Learning & Engagement

JOB SUMMARY:

The Learning & Engagement Specialist supports the daily operation of 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 helps create an exemplary guest experience by learning and delivering approved tour scripts and interpretive content and by implementing engaging programs for guests of all ages. The Seasonal Specialist supports workshop facilitation, leads tours, assists with seasonal exhibit operations, and works alongside employees and volunteers under the direction of the Learning & Engagement Coordinators and Lead Specialists. The position also assists volunteer liaisons, supports exhibit installation, and helps track workshop supplies. Success in this role requires adaptability, collaboration, reliability, and a willingness to support new programs and initiatives as the Garden continues to grow.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implement and lead seasonal workshops. Implementation includes helping to train volunteers, leading material collection, tracking supply inventory, and assisting with set up and tear down for all scheduled workshops.
• Lead interpretive tours and guided experiences, including the tours of our temporary exhibits and all sections of the Guided Group Visit curriculum, connecting exhibits to the Garden's land reclamation story and plant collections.
• Assist with exhibit installation and preparation, including distributing and packaging exhibit 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 ensuring USDA compliance, receiving and inventorying shipments, cleaning and engaging with guests and volunteers.
• Provide a high-quality, safe, welcoming, and professional experience for guests of all ages and backgrounds, while demonstrating strong customer service skills and collaborating effectively with staff and volunteers across the organization.
• 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 frameworks for workshops and programs
• Strong verbal communication skills (experience with improvisation preferred)
• Excellent communication and customer service skills; facilitation or improvisational experience preferred.
• 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 Saturdays), 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

With or without reasonable accommodation, the employee must be able to:

• Remain standing 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 temporary, part-time, non-exempt position with an hourly pay range of $21-22 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. The anticipated temporary appointment is September 30th through February 15th. Candidates must be available to work this schedule for the duration of the appointment.

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.