Job Posting Title:
Director of Learning and Engagement
Hiring Department:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Position Open To:
All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
FLSA Status:
Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue
Location:
Johnson Wildflower Center
Job Details:
General Notes
The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation and cultivation of native plants through its gardens and programs. The Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, gardening, sustainable landscapes, land restoration, plant conservation and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants, welcomes 300,000 visitors annually, has over 18,000 member households and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its popular native plant database. The Center envisions thriving, native plant landscapes everywhere that nurture wildlife, uplift communities, and ensure ecological resilience for generations.
Wildflower Center staff are University of Texas at Austin employees receiving all associated benefits as well as an annual membership to the Center, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center events, and discounts at the Shop and Gallery. An inspiring, collaborative and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.
Purpose Statement
The Wildflower Center seeks a Director of Learning and Engagement to provide leadership, management, and planning for its learning and engagement programs. The director is responsible for leading a team of educators and volunteer managers to develop and implement learning and engagement programs that serve diverse audiences and promote the mission of the Wildflower Center. This team is responsible for engaging with thousands of K-12 students, undergraduates, adult tour groups, volunteers, daily guests, and youth and adult class participants. This team is also responsible for managing and innovating the Wildflower Center’s signature digital plant database, called the Native Plants of North America.
The director collaborates across teams to create impactful learning programs and community engagement opportunities that help people understand, value, and act for native plants. They also lead the creation of interpretative programming for the garden, including interpretive signage and displays, and are responsible for fostering the Center’s volunteer program.
As the Wildflower Center continues to deepen its connection with UT Austin, the director is responsible for building relationships and developing programs with the university and with regional, state and national organizations.
The Wildflower Center believes that the “environment is where we all meet,” as Lady Bird Johnson once wisely said. We are a community of people that care for each other, our land and our broader community.
Responsibilities
- Provides leadership for the learning and engagement team, which includes guest engagement programs, professional education, adult education, youth and family programs, the volunteer program, and plant outreach tools such as the plant database. Leads, mentors, and evaluates staff and oversees programs and budgets. Fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration within and across teams. Creates and implements programs to promote the mission and generate revenue.
- Collaborates closely with Center gardens, science and conservation, lands, and hospitality teams to develop and implement interpretive programs for exhibits, landscapes and the living collections.
- Builds strategic partnerships and represents the Wildflower Center with learning and engagement programs throughout the community.
- Works with the Center’s leadership team to develop strategic programs in support of the Center’s mission and revenue goals. Collaborates with Center leadership and staff to develop fundraising strategies and participates in fundraising and donor cultivation activities.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years working at a botanic garden, nature center or in a related field
- Demonstrated experience leading education and outreach programs including developing learning and engagement lessons and materials and managing budgets
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of native plants, gardening, horticulture, conservation, research, and related fields and experience educating various audiences about these topics
- Leadership in developing interpretive signage and planning interpretive exhibits
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree
- Experience developing and leading tours and training tour guides
- Advanced knowledge of Texas native plants and concepts such as water conservation
- Knowledge about Lady Bird Johnson and her legacy
- Talent and propensity for creative, innovative thinking
- Experience working with fundraisers to support programs
- Experience developing and implementing an interpretive master plan or similar project
Driving Required
This job requires a class “C” operator’s driver’s license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.
Salary Range
$85,000 + depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- This is an on-site position. The schedule will vary based on university schedules, and with the types of events scheduled and operational functions. Some events can take place offsite and may require attendance.
- Work around standard office conditions with repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
- Prolonged screen time
- Use of manual dexterity
- Ability to work outside in all sorts of weather as most events take place in a garden setting
- Work late evenings and some weekends for scheduled events. Hours are subject to change.
- Must be eligible to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.
- This position is based in Austin, Texas.
Work Shift
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Ability to work extended hours as needed, including occasional evening and weekends, as required by programs and events
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- Letter of interest
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
