Assistant, Adult Education

Summary:

Provides educational assistance to the Adult Education Program. This role works closely with the Coordinator, Adult Education Programs in coordinating adult education classes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists in coordinating the scheduling of classes with contract instructors and Garden staff.

• Assists Coordinator, Adult Education Programs with planning course offerings on topics such as Food & Cooking, Gardening & Landscaping, Fine Arts, Green Living, Nature Study, Photography, Guided Tours, Well-Being, and Botanical Crafts.

• Assists in drafting course descriptions for web and print catalog and assists in the editing of public program print catalog twice a year.

• Utilizes Ungerboeck room reservation system for scheduling adult education programs/classes, Tessitura to add registrations processes, Survey Monkey for class surveys, and Zoom for online classes.

• Assists contract instructors with classes, hosting online programs, and assist in purchasing of supplies

• Conducts cross divisional communication with the Garden to arrange for various adult education classes.

• Coordinates class volunteers for classes

• Maintains adult education program statistics and surveys.

• Creates, maintains, and processes instructor confirmation forms and payment forms, for each class.

• Must be prepared to work evenings and weekends. Our busiest months are March, April, May, September and October and in these months, this position will work an average of two nights a week and at least one Saturday a month.

• Meets expected attendance guidelines.

• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.

• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervisory responsibilities.

Core Competencies:Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.

• Collaboration - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.

• Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.

• Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Two (2) years' experience in informal education, event/program coordination, or related field.

• Experience preferred with an emphasis on working with the public and adults in an educational/learning setting.

• Experience working in a cultural institution preferred.

• Experience working with volunteers preferred.

• Work schedule requires flexibility to work on weekends, holidays, and evenings as needed.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal team members and external organizations to create a commitment to common goals, prioritizing, minimizing obstacles, and executing realistic priorities.

• Ability to work independently with little instruction; coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks, set deadlines, and complete projects in a timely manner.

• Ability to communicate effectively and interact with the public, donors, partners, and colleagues.

• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• Associate's degree preferred.

• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Language Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (written and oral).

• Excellent knowledge of the rules of English grammar and composition.

Mathematical Skills:

• Proficient High school Math Aptitude - Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the observation, analysis and resolution of issues.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the allocation of resources.

Computer Skills:

• Demonstrated experience utilizing various computer software applications and navigating through the Internet, which includes but is not limited to a strong proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite 2010 (e.g., particularly PowerPoint, Access, Excel, Word, and Outlook.

• Strong database management proficiency; ability to learn and utilize a variety of online scheduling and registration management tools (i.e., Garden's event and space reservation management system, etc.).
• Experience with zoom online class hosting, moderating participant chat for questions and troubleshooting online functions

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR certification.

Physical Demands:

• Requires ability to make frequent telephone calls.

• Ability to effectively utilize computer and keyboard (typing).

• Ability to lift up to (30) pounds (i.e., load, unload and move boxes, supplies and equipment).

• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., step stools, etc.).

Work environment:

• Ability to work outside in the elements on occasion with unavoidable variations in temperatures over 100F as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions and some uncomfortable conditions (i.e., wet, mosquitoes, ticks, insects, etc.) as needed.

• Busy indoor office setting with shared cubical office environment with multiple staff

• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to the general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding educational programs.

Contacts with Individual/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Education Division colleagues.

• Contract instructors.

• Garden education volunteers.

• Garden employees.

• Diverse slate of visitors to the Garden, both children and adults.

Supervisor: Coordinator, Adult Education Programs