Garden Exhibit Coordinator - Part-Time - Chanhassen, MN

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum:Garden Exhibit Coordinator

Location: Chanhassen, Minnesota

12 month 0.5 FTE Recurring
Reports to: Manager of Interpretation and Visitor Learning

The Garden Exhibit Coordinator coordinates two co-curated, interpretive "story garden" exhibits at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Through the Story Garden program, the Arboretum works with community partners to develop living garden exhibits, focusing on stories of plant-people connections that are historically underrepresented in botanical gardens. The Coordinator is involved in each exhibit for its entire 1-2 year lifespan from ideation to completion. Main tasks include managing exhibit logistics, maintaining relationships with co-curators from various communities and organizations, collaborating across Arboretum departments to complete time-sensitive deliverables, drafting interpretive text, leading tours, and planning small educational events. This position reports to the Manager of Interpretation.

This is a half-time (20 hr/week), year-round position.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

Exhibit development and execution (50%)

• Assist in identifying and building relationships with potential exhibit co-curators
• Communicate regularly with co-curators and internal Arboretum staff; involving a mix of in-person meetings, phone, video, and email communication
• Serve as a main point of contact with co-curators throughout each exhibit
• Maintain strong familiarity with subject matter related to each exhibit; utilizing library archives, peer-reviewed literature, cultural institutions, and other resources as needed
• Assist in writing exhibit project plans
• Under direction from Manager of Interpretation, draft interpretive text for signage
• Schedule and co-facilitate oral history interviews with co-curators
• Work with a team to help plan and implement the garden exhibit designs based on co-curators' vision and guidance from Arboretum horticulture staff
• Order and install interpretive signage and labels

Project management (25%)

• Use collaborative project management tools (e.g. Asana) to track exhibit progress and task completion
• Ensure all tasks are completed on schedule with high quality outcomes
• Document exhibit progress through record-keeping, written reports, post-program evaluations, and photographs
• Resolve issues in a timely and respectful manner
• Identify and communicate with external vendors (e.g. graphic designers, sign fabricators, and language translation services)

Interpretative programs (25%)

• Lead exhibit tours to groups representing a diversity of organizations, ages, and cultural backgrounds, based on guidance from co-curators and Manager of Interpretation
• Collaborate with the Youth Education Manager to plan and execute custom field trips associated with exhibits
• Collaborate with Adult Education Manager and Culinary Instructor to plan classes associated with exhibits

Required qualifications

• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years, in an applicable field such as museum studies, ethnobotany, sociology, history, or horticulture
• A cover letter and writing sample are required to be considered for this position.
• Excellent writing and speaking skills; experience developing educational content for a general audience
• Two years of documented experience collaborating with people from various cultures
• Project management experience; including project planning, monitoring task completion, and communicating among team members
• Willingness to work independently and as part of a team
• Must be able to provide own transportation to and from partner sites

Desired qualifications

• Formal training in horticulture; or at least 1 year experience working in a farm, urban garden, or botanic garden setting
• Experience developing interpretive displays in a museum, garden, zoo, or nature center setting
• Experience researching and teaching about horticulture and/or cultural uses of plants
• Deep familiarity with cultural communities and local food systems in the Upper Midwest
• Interpretive guide training, and experience delivering tours and hands-on activities
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, and/or other language(s) and willingness to translate exhibit materials

This is a year-round, part-time position at 20 hours per week. Most work will occur Monday-Friday, but occasional, limited weekend hours may be required. Some remote work is supported, while other tasks require on-site presence at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Physical Demands
The work takes place in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings, at the Arboretum and partner sites. There will be occasional standing and walking, as well as speaking to the public, staff and program participants.

Pay Range: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 50% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To apply, please include a resume, cover letter and writing sample with your application.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

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