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.
Miami-Dade Botanist
REPORTS TO: Director of Regional Conservation
JOB TYPE: Full Time
SALARY: Commensurate with experience
The Conservation Team at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is seeking an experienced botanist to join our dynamic and busy team whose mission is to reduce the extinction risk of rare plants in South Florida. S/he will carry out or delegate a wide array of monitoring, research, outreach, and other activities in and for Miami-Dade County natural areas. Primary responsibilities include (1) monitoring, mapping, and making management recommendations for rare plants in County preserves, (2) sustainably collecting seeds for conservation and restoration, (3) resampling long-term monitoring transects, (4) contributing to management plans, and (5) communicating results to land managers annually with an oral presentation and written report. This position will require at least 50% of the botanist’s time to be spent outdoors.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct frequent visits to Miami-Dade County (MDC) natural areas to monitor and map rare plants;
- Maintain written and geospatial (GIS) records of rare plant monitoring and mapping results;
- Communicate regularly with preserve managers about mapping and monitoring results as they relate to rare plant population trends and management needs;
- Assist preserve managers on site or remotely when they need botanical expertise;
- Conduct onsite plant ID trainings for vegetation management contractors;
- Collect rare plant propagules according to Center for Plant Conservation guidelines and maintain detailed collection records;
- Re-sample vegetation data in long-term monitoring transects, and enter and analyze data for long-term trends;
- Conduct floristic inventories and Lepidoptera inventories in a subset of preserves;
- Work with the Conservation Team and volunteers to plan rare plant translocations, water plants/seeds after installation, collect microhabitat data, and monitor health and survival;
- Coordinate with the County and other members of the Conservation Team to propagate plants for translocations and restorations and assist with plant rescues in County preserves;
- Contribute to management planning documents such as Natural Areas Protection Plans;
- Recruit and supervise interns, volunteers, contractors, and temporary staff to assist with carrying out the above-listed duties.
- Write and/or contribute to quarterly, bi-annual, and annual reports to granting agencies;
- Provide spatial and population size/trend information on MDC rare plant populations to MDC, USFWS, and FNAI upon request;
- Host an annual meeting for preserve managers, present important information about population trends, new finds, and management recommendations;
- Represent Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Conservation Program to lay, government, and scientific groups through oral and poster presentations, lay, and scientific publications, and social media.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Willingness to work alone and as part of a team
- College degree (BA, BS, PhD or MS) in science or a related field
- Familiarity with plants and ecosystems of South Florida, including basic plant ID – or a strong plant/botany background that will enable the candidate to get up to speed quickly
- Training in or familiarity with plant taxonomy
- Strong communication skills in speaking and writing English. Fluency in Spanish is an added bonus.
- Experience in managing staff, interns, volunteers, and/or subcontractors
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ESRI ArcGIS software, GPS and smartphone mapping apps
- Ability to work outdoors for hours in hot, humid, buggy conditions
- Valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle
- Friendliness, patience, curiosity, maturity, and positivity
TO APPLY:
Applications should consist of a cover letter, your CV or resume, and the name and contact information for three references. Applicants who do not already live in South Florida should explain in their cover letter how they intend to relocate to South Florida. Send applications to Jennifer Possley, Director of Regional Conservation, jpossley@fairchildgarden.org. Application closing date is October 7th, 2024. No phone calls please.
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