Employment

The Norfolk Botanical Garden gladly accepts applications for any open job posting. All open jobs are posted here. If you cannot find a job match at this time, please consider a volunteer position.

Full-Time Position

Public Relations Manager

At Norfolk Botanical Garden we believe that people are our most valuable resource and our ability to enrich life through horticulture, education and conservation ultimately comes down to people and their relationship with nature. Working at NBG gives you the chance to make a difference every day to contribute to the importance of changing attitudes and building connections to plants and the environment.
NBG is looking for people who are smart, fun, resourceful, creative and have a can-do attitude.
Are you a team-player with a four-year college degree in journalism, media relations, marketing or communications with an emphasis in related fields of marketing and information technology and social media? Then keep reading.

You need two or more years of experience in a non-profit, educational and/or cultural communication position and have excellent writing skills. As a team member you must flourish in a fast paced environment while managing multiple projects.
Tell us about your proven success in media strategy planning, pitching stories and placement and tracking PR campaigns.
You must be able to interact successfully with all NBG departments to develop and help execute a media strategies focusing on a relationship-growth business model.
You must feel at home in front of a camera, both live and recorded.
Computer skills are required. Some ad design experience is a big plus.
Current, local contacts and positive working relations with television, radio and print media are highly desired or have a strong ability to jump into the local market.

This position, of course, requires excellent communication and organizational skills. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, self-starter with the ability to work independently. You must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including some weekends and evenings, especially during our busy months. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record and must pass a background check.

Reports to: Director of Education and Communication
NBG is a fun and exciting work environment with a strong mission. If you would like to be a part of our team, submit a brief cover letter, resume, sample press release (regarding any event from our website) and the application form (below) via email to: Donna.Krabill@nbgs.org. No phone calls please. You will receive verification of receipt by email. Interviews will be arranged via phone call. Resumes will be reviewed and interviews will begin immediately, until the position is filled.

Part-Time Positions

There are no part-time positions available at this time.

Seasonal

Garden Guide

Description: This is a term position that performs front line visitor services functions.
Essential Functions: Conduct garden tours and programs for the general public, sell tour tickets and relay general visitor information
Education and Experience: Requires excellent oral, written and customer service skills. Must be creative and able to work independently. Must enjoy working with people and ability to speak to large groups essential. Weekend and evening work required.
Other Requirements: Must be 18 or older with valid drivers license. Must be able to lift 50lbs.
Specific Job Responsibilities:

Conduct tram and boat tours
Sell boat tickets (and tram, as required)
Implement daily visitor programs (walking tours, smart carts, etc.) in conjunction with public program coordinator
Greet visitors, help orient visitors and answer questions
Provide information to visitors in informal situations in the garden
Assist with special event tour related activities.
Will work evenings for Garden of Lights as assigned
Other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Public Program Coordinator
Submit application to front desk or to publicprograms@nbgs.org

Visitor Services Assistant

This is a term position that offers part time hours. The shifts are 5-8 hours 3-4 days a week. Weekends are required.
Description: The Visitor Services Assistant is responsible for managing the information desk and lobby area in Baker Hall Visitor Center and the Toll Booth.
Essential Functions: Primary responsibility is to greet all visitors, handle admissions, to facilitate their visit by providing directions, highlighting programs and garden areas of interest, and suggesting how to structure their visit to the Garden. The Visitor Services Assistant will work with all other departments to ensure all visitors have a positive experience at the Garden.
Education and Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Should enjoy working with people and have customer service experience. Should also be comfortable interacting with all age groups. A solid basic understanding of computers is required. Smile!
Daily Job Responsibilities:
Both Positions:

Greets and assists all visitors. (General visitors, educational classes, scheduled meetings, staff appointments, wedding guests and groups) Responsible for giving the visitor accurate information. Examples include: boat and tram times.
Responsible for reading the schedule and/or checking Vista daily to know what events are taking place and what groups are expected. Also, reading memos for direction.
Responsible for learning to operate computer software and programs for various functions and applications.
Operates cash register, responsible for initial money and money taken in.
Responsible for filling out the Shift Report correctly and giving explanations on any and all voids or questionable transactions. Responsible for dropping bag into safe with all monies, coupons collected and other paperwork used or taken in for that shift.

Information Desk:

Helps visitors to plan their time at the Garden. (Must know Garden lay out and daily activities in the Garden)
Answers incoming phone inquires and transfers calls to the proper extension.
Understands and promotes memberships.
Maintains and distributes the proper brochure/literature to visitors.
Responsible for appearance of information desk and contacts custodial staff when bathrooms and lobby area need attention.
Accepts payment for weddings
When the registrar is not available, signs students up for classes and collects payment.
Calls Pepsi when machines are broken or need to be restocked.
Maintains drop-off/pick-up log and basket.
Assists visitors with lost and found items and wheel-chair check-out.

Toll Booth:

Greets everyone entering the Garden and directing them to the appropriate place. This would include the general visitor, event attendees, and class participants.
Collects the appropriate admission fee and/or count people entering. Also, applies appropriate accounting procedures while doing so. This would include but not limited to credit card, checks, and Travelers Check payments.
Responsible for giving out the appropriate hand outs. When the handout supply is low, responsible for informing supervisor to restock.
Responsible for knowing the different admission procedures when using Vista. Examples include but not limited to: how to apply discounts and coupons, how to adjust sales when taking school or tour group payment, and checking students in on Vista.
Collects payment for school and tour groups.
Responsible for knowing and applying the various discounts and coupons offered.
Check students in on Vista or collects payment for classes.
Checks membership cards for type of membership and expiration date. Only allows the appropriate number of members in per membership type and charging for additional visitors. Also, writes the membership number down with the number of members entering. Responsible for entering member attendance into Vista at the end of the shift.
Responsible for knowing and enforcing Garden rules and guidelines. This would include but not limited to: what time to allow visitors in, who pays admission and who is counted, not allowing dogs, informing people about bike night, informing people about not launching boats from the Garden, etc.
Handles difficult visitors who do not want to abide by Garden rules and guidelines and does not allow them entry into the Garden.
Responsible for expediting each transaction in a timely manner to avoid long lines of visitors waiting to enter the Garden.
Responsible for keeping the toll booth clean.
Notifies different staff members when appointments, etc. arrives at the Garden

Reports to: Visitor Services Manager
Submit application to Visitor Center front desk or marykscott@nbgs.org

Youth Educator

Description: Seasonal Term position.
School Term: September-May; Summer Term: June-August
Average weekly hours vary throughout the year; Spring and Summer Terms averages 20-35 hours per week. At least three weekend day shifts per month required.
The Norfolk Botanical Garden Youth Education seeks Educators who are creative, energetic, flexible and passionate about environmental education. This position is both educational and customer service based. In all programs we strive to create an educational and fun environment for experiential learning. Educators must be willing to work primarily outdoors.
Essential Function:
School Term: Facilitate school, Scout, family and birthday programs for children to age 12.
Summer Term: Teach summer camp programming for children ranging in ages 4-13 years.
Year Round: Present “Discovery” programs to visitors and help to ensure overall safety and customer satisfaction in the World of Wonders: A Children’s Adventure Garden.
Qualifications:
College experience required.
Requires teaching experience at the elementary or pre-school level. Experience in the field of horticulture, biology, gardening, natural science, or a like subject preferred.
Pre-screening drug test, state background check and valid driver’s license required.
Negative TB screening required for Summer Camp Educators
Specific Job Responsibilities:
School Programs (March-June) are Monday-Friday from 9AM-1PM

Conduct school programs both on-site and for outreaches in area schools.

Summer Camp Programs (June-August) are Monday-Friday 8AM-4:30PM

Maintain daily health requirements of campers, both physically and emotionally.
Facilitate group games, skits, songs and teambuilding exercises.
Attend pre-summer camp training session and weekly program meetings.
Assist in maintaining clean and healthy environment for campers and staff.
Provide on-site supervision for volunteer camp counselors.

The World of Wonders Children’s Garden is open daily from 9AM-7PM

Educate the public using various props, WOW plants and natural materials.
Orient visitors to Children’s Garden map, guidelines and activities. Enforce guidelines.
Encourage families to have positives interactions with WOW materials, plants and properties.
Perform cleaning duties to ensure a sanitary work environment.
Educate visitors about current special exhibits.
Perform additional duties and responsibilities as requested.

Family, Scout and Birthday Programs take place primarily in evenings and on weekends

Lead Birthday programs for children ages 5-10. Assist families in hosting parties.
Lead Girl Scout and Boy Scout Badge programs.
Lead night hikes, songs and games for evening events.

Reports to: Senior Youth Educator-School Programs and Senior Youth Educator-Camp Programs
Submit application to front desk or Jen.erving@nbgs.org

Senior Youth Educator-WOW Children’s Garden- Spring/Summer Term

Description: Seasonal Part Time position, 20-30 hours/week. Spring/Summer Term March 15- September 6. Weekend work required (6-8 weekend days per month.)
Essential Function:
Summer Term: Serve as “WOW Senior Staff on Duty”, overseeing all educational and safety procedures for the WOW Children’s Garden. Leads school, birthday, scout and family programs. Develops and implements self-guided programs and “Discovery Activities” for WOW visitors. Ensures that WOW is safe for guests and staff and communicates needs for WOW to supervisors and other Garden staff.
Education and Experience: 4-year college degree in a Science, Education or related field required. Requires energetic person who loves working with children and a dynamic education team. Teaching experience at the elementary or pre-school level and/or experience in the field of horticulture, biology, gardening, natural science, or a like subject required. Excellent communication skills are a must as is enjoyment for being outdoors. Requires pre-screening drug test, state background check and valid driver’s license. Also requires TB test completed within the last 12 months.
Specific Job Responsibilities:

Acts as “WOW Senior Staff on Duty”
Maintains daily reports and safety checks.
Communicates program/supply/equipment needs for WOW to other Departments and Youth Programs Managers.
Supervises Youth Programs Educators and Volunteers during WOW shifts, ensuring that educational programs (“Ten-Minute Tours” and “Discovery Carts”) are offered.
Ensures that WOW visitors understand and follow all guidelines. Acts as “point person” for safety procedures.
Works in WOW to provide programming and ensure safety and guest enjoyment.
Educates the public using various props as well as plants and natural materials.
Positively interacts and orients visitors to WOW map, guidelines and activities. Enforces guidelines.
Encourages families to interact with WOW materials, plants and properties.
Conducts school programs both on-site and for outreaches in area schools.
Maintains WOW cleaning/upkeep list. Cleans and assigns volunteers for duties as needed to ensure a clean and safe work environment.
Leads birthday parties, scout and family programs. Communicates with parents before birthday parties and hosts events that are memorable and exciting experiences for the families.
Keeps and inventory of craft and “Discovery Activity” items. Purchases items as needed or communicates supplies needs to Youth Programs Managers.
Works weekends and evenings when programs and special events are scheduled.
Works with supervisors to give feedback regarding existing programs. Develops new programs for WOW and Summer Exhibits.
Educates visitors about special exhibits.
Performs additional duties and responsibilities as requested.

Reports to: Youth Programs Managers Send resumes to jen.erving@nbgs.org

Download a Job Application here