Garden Engagement Coordinator
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.
The Garden Engagement Coordinator develops, coordinates, and
evaluates engagement programs for the Education and Community
Programs department at Red Butte Garden, creating connections
between plants and people. This position serves as the primary
coordinator for a portfolio of programs and special events designed
to connect families and community audiences with plants, nature,
and the Garden.
The Garden Engagement Coordinator is responsible for the continued
development and growth of community programming, including
identifying new program opportunities, building relationships with
community partners, and creating engaging educational and
interpretive experiences. This position also supports Garden-wide
festivals and events and works closely with the Youth & Family
Programs Manager and Youth Programs Coordinator to advance the
overall goals of Garden engagement.
Learn more about the great benefits of working for
University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu
The department may choose to hire at any of the below job
levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and
budget.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary coordinator for assigned community and
Garden engagement programs.
Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with cultural
institutions, community organizations, schools, and other groups
that support the Garden's mission and expand opportunities for
community and Garden engagement.
Work with community partners to develop programs, activities,
and experiences both at the Garden and within the community.
Coordinate and participate in off-site engagement opportunities
representing the Garden and sharing its programs and educational
resources.
Identify opportunities to strengthen participation in Garden
programs and build ongoing relationships with community
audiences.
Lead assigned programs from initial planning through
implementation and evaluation, including developing timelines,
coordinating logistics, preparing materials, scheduling staff and
volunteers, and overseeing program execution.
Identify gaps and opportunities within the Garden's family
programming and develop new community and Garden engagement
programs, activities, and experiences that respond to audience
interests and advance departmental and Garden goals.
Develop engaging, age-appropriate educational activities and
interpretive content related to plants, nature, horticulture, and
the Garden.
Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to part-time
education staff during assigned programs and events.
Assign responsibilities and provide staff with the information,
resources, and support needed to successfully deliver
programs.
Support the planning and implementation of Garden-wide
festivals and special events.
Participate in event setup, execution, troubleshooting, and
teardown as part of the broader event team.
Purchase, monitor budget, organize, inventory, and maintain
supplies, educational materials, and equipment for assigned
programs.
Track, compile, program information and data for departmental,
grant, board, and other reports as needed.
Maintain program calendars, timelines, records, evaluations,
and other administrative materials.
Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically
required
- Often: Office, Classroom environment, Garden/Outdoor
environment, Storage and tool rooms, Event spaces, Public
spaces
- Seldom: parking lots, campus areas
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 50 lbs., setting up 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 Specialists, I: Requires a bachelor's (or
equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a
master's (or equivalency) degree.
Program Specialists, II: Requires a bachelor's (or
equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of
directly related work experience.
Preferences
- Bachelor's degree in education, horticulture, environmental
studies, museum studies, or another related field
- Experience developing, coordinating, or delivering educational,
family, or community programs.
- Experience working in a garden, museum, nature center, school,
camp, community organization, or similar educational or cultural
setting.
- Demonstrated interest in plants, nature, horticulture,
environmental education, or informal learning.
- Experience developing or maintaining relationships with
community organizations or program partners.
- Strong organizational, administrative, and project coordination
skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to think creatively and respond calmly and effectively
to changing or stressful situations.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a
team.
Special Instructions
Requisition Number: PRN46121B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: M-F; 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, occasional
evenings and weekends as required by programs and events.
Department: 00340 - Red Butte Garden & Arboretum
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $52,000.00 - $56,000.00
Close Date: 12/03/2026
Open Until Filled:
To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/9803952"">https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/208827
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