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Employment Opportunities

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an equal opportunity organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. We do not tolerate hate or discrimination of any kind.

Fairchild is a Drug-Free workplace.

Fairchild Challenge Program Coordinator

REPORTS TO: Director of Education

JOB TYPE: FT

SALARY: Commensurated with experience

LOCATION: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is seeking a talented and motivated individual to coordinate the award-winning STEM education program, The Fairchild Challenge. The Fairchild Challenge is an, interdisciplinary, environmental science competition designed to engage students of diverse interests, abilities, talents and backgrounds to explore the natural world. The program has been recognized as a benchmark for exceptional STEM education and for empowering PreK – 12th grade students to become the next generation of scientists, researchers, educated voters, policy makers, and environmentally-minded community members. The Challenge is linked with Fairchild’s major science initiatives, including the Million Orchid Project, Growing Beyond Earth and Native Plant Network.

In this administrative role, the Fairchild Challenge Program Coordinator will assist in developing, implementing, and assessing the Fairchild Challenge.

A successful candidate will:

  • Be passionate about getting students and teachers excited about botany and STEM
  • Connect students and teachers to science initiatives that allow them to actively participate and contribute to ongoing scientific research
  • Gain experience in coordinating large-scale events, volunteer scheduling, informal science education curriculum development, and relationship-building among other skills
  • Develop Fairchild Challenge program curriculum including classroom resources and Challenge activities and training sessions, that align with local and national academic standards and Common Core
  • Coordinate events that bring teachers together for interactive workshops and students together to compete in academic competitions
  • Be detail oriented and organized when attending to event logistics and program progress documentation
  • Use proven communication skills with teachers, students, partners, and administrators to respond to requests for clarifications, additional information and procedures
  • Assist with the coordination of research and evaluation relating to the program
  • Think creatively when planning and facilitating teacher professional development and student workshops associated with the challenges
  • Actively communicate with and recruit new and veteran volunteers for challenge events and judging sessions
  • Assist in the development of new research initiatives as opportunities arise
  • Proactively attend to other Education and Fairchild duties as required

A successful candidate should have:

  • Experience in science education with a minimum BA or BS in in Education or a field of science preferred
  • Formal or informal teaching experience OR experience leading workshops preferred
  • Fluency in a language other than English including Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, etc. preferred
  • Availability to work some weekends and evenings
  • Effective communication skills and experience speaking to diverse groups of people
  • A commitment to fostering a positive work environment, being flexible, proactive and ready to anticipate and troubleshoot program details
  • A strong work ethic
  • A self-starter with a commitment to STEM education and the mission of Fairchild

To apply please submit cover letter and resume to apadolf@fairchildgarden.org 

StemLab Program Coordinator

REPORTS TO: Director of Education

JOB TYPE: Full-Time

SALARY: Commensurated with experience

LOCATION: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida

About the Program:

STEMLab is an innovative mobile micropropagation laboratory created by Fairchild, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and The University of Miami’s School of Architecture Design Build Program. Transformed from a decommissioned yellow school bus, this state-of-the-art facility is equipped with specialized equipment that allows MDCPS middle school students with the opportunity to actively contribute to Fairchild’s The Million Orchid Project, STEMLab brings the lab experience to schools, enabling students to engage in real-world research and conservation efforts.

STEMLab travels to South Florida middle schools, offering students a hands-on experience in STEM research with local conservation implications. It provides access to specialized lab equipment, teaching and reinforcing concepts in biology, chemistry, and environmental science. Students plant and transplant orchid seeds in sterile conditions aboard the STEMLab, nurture seedlings in mini classroom botany labs, and collect and analyze scientific data. Ultimately, they plant their orchids on school grounds, monitoring growth and ecological interactions. This innovative program exposes middle school students to university-level research, empowering them to devise their own research questions and test hypotheses, advancing the program and putting local conservation efforts directly into the hands of school children.

Job Overview:

As the Full Time STEMLab Program Coordinator, you will have the opportunity to develop and deliver the STEMLab Outreach program and further the reach and impact of the Million Orchid Project.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Work alongside the Director of Education and Director of Research in the design, planning, and execution of experiments and projects related to the Million Orchid Project, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality results.
  • Deliver program curriculum.
  • Maintain the program calendar.
  • Train participating teachers and administrators to host the program at their school.
  • Recruit and train program volunteers and interns to conduct the program.
  • Maintain the STEMLab Website
  • Create program reports.
  • Maintain regular communication with teachers.
  • Maintain inventory of program equipment and consumables
  • Working with the Program Manager to design and implement a social media strategy for the program.
  • Ensure that teachers participating in the GBE program have access to all necessary resources, training, and support to succeed in their classrooms.
  • Other duties assigned

Qualifications:

  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

To apply please submit cover letter and resume to apadolf@fairchildgarden.org

Event Assistant

REPORTS TO: Events & Operations Manager

JOB TYPE: Part Time

SALARY: $16/hr

LOCATION: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide private event support by interacting with guests, vendors, and security regarding wayfinding, shuttle services, and other activities related to the startup and shutdown of events.
  • Assist with checking vendors in and out as needed.
  • Actively participate in the movement and storage of equipment, including tables and chairs.
  • Perform assigned tasks using small hand tools, power tools, power washers, and electronic golf carts. Troubleshoot and solve problems as they arise.
  • Assist with the general maintenance and care of facility rental sites, furniture and equipment.
  • Notify the Event & Operations Manager of any unusual circumstances, safety issues, or damage.
  • Help maintain the cleanliness and good repair of rental tables, chairs and equipment and assist with inventory management.
  • Maintain a positive working relationship with managers, co-workers, clients, and others.
  • Strive to provide the highest quality visitor experience.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • High school diploma or GED required
  • Event & Hospitality experience a plus
  • Basic technical experience is a plus which includes setup of microphones, event lighting and sound equipment.
  • Ability to remain stable under pressure and handle stressful situations effectively.
  • Capability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  • Attention to detail, ensuring that locations are in proper condition and ready for events.
  • Ability to interpret various instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
  • Must prioritize safety in all tasks.
  • Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs.
  • To apply please submit cover letter and resume to htorres@fairchildgarden.org

Retail & Admissions Associate

REPORTS TO: Retail Manager

JOB TYPE: Part Time

SALARY: $16/hr

LOCATION: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida

Retail Associates should be prepared to work as part of a team by being friendly, courteous, and respectful of fellow team members and expressing a positive attitude. They are expected to be active salespeople and provide exceptional guest services. Associates work with a sense of urgency within designated time frames in order to complete tasks and actively seek out new assignments. Associates should arrive on time and be ready to work at the start of their shift. Associates are expected to work standing and walking throughout their shift, but sitting or driving may also be included in the day’s tasks. They frequently lift up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 50 pounds, and are expected to climb ladders while holding merchandise. They are expected to work in both indoor and outdoor environments according to their assigned tasks for the day

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Greeting, making eye contact, smiling, and starting conversations with all guests.
  • Educating self about products in order to share this knowledge with guests. Educating self about Garden promotions, activities, and initiatives with the ability to express them to guests. Understanding and expressing all membership promotions, donation programs, and Shop sales. Educating self about daily activities and events as listed on the daily sheet or as received via email. Participating in daily morning update meetings.
  • Selling tickets, merchandise, and memberships following The Shop at Fairchild’s Membership and Sales script.
  • Providing accurate, factual, and engaging information about the Garden and its programs/initiatives.
  • Resolving basic membership problems, referring complicated issues to the membership department.
  • Preparing food and coffee, cleaning the food sales area, and stocking the food sales area following daily checklists.
  • Answering phones in a friendly and welcoming way. Processing phone or special orders.
  • Working on the sales floor when not busy at the register, either on assigned tasks or by seeking out new tasks.
  • Assisting customers with items in the jewelry case, items in backstock, and heavy or bulky items.
  • Following all cash handling and inventory control procedures of The Shop at Fairchild. Operating the cash register in an efficient and knowledgeable manner.
  • Unpacking and verifying merchandise deliveries. Stocking shelves, including regularly rotating products. Restocking and straightening items on shelves. Putting backstock and understock away underneath displays and in the closet, in a neat, organized, and efficient manner. Performing inventory counts as assigned.
  • Building eye-catching, relevant, and timely merchandise displays.
  • Resolving all guest complaints, involving a supervisor if necessary. Answering all guest questions, including researching answers and following up with guests
  • Welcoming group tours, processing the group quickly and efficiently, and directing group to their activities for the day.
  • Working as part of the Visitor Services team by substituting in other areas of the department, including but not limited to Admissions Chalets, Group Tour Sales, South Gate, Reception, Information Desk, kiosk duty, shuttle and tram service, and Visitor Services volunteer supervision.
  • Opening and closing store, and providing basic customer service resolution, in the absence of a manager.
  • Other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Minimum 1-2 years experience in Retail Sales and/or Customer Service
  • Hospitality experience a plus
  • Strong project management skills
  • Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills
  • Excellent verbal and written comprehension and communication skills
  • Ability to multi-task and maintain a calm demeanor in a stressful environment
  • Must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States
  • Must be able to lift up to 30lbs

To apply please submit cover letter and resume to HR@fairchildgarden.org