Learning and Engagement Specialist

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Job Details:

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation of native plants through its garden, education, research and outreach programs. Founded by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes in 1982, 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, sustainable landscapes, land restoration and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants in the state, welcomes over 276,000 visitors annually, has over 17,000 members and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its website and plant database. The Center is focused on improving landscapes, promoting biodiversity, and connecting people with our environment.

Benefits-eligible Wildflower Center staff members enjoy the robust health, vacation, and retirement benefits of The University of Texas at Austin employees. Wildflower Center staff also get free parking and annual membership, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center featured events, and discounts at the Gift Store and Wildflower Café. An inspiring and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.

The Learning and Engagement Specialist – Plant Information Systems plays a vital role in connecting the public with native plant knowledge through the management of key digital resources, including the Native Plants of North America (NPONA) database, Mr. Smarty Plants, and the plant image databases. This position supports the Center's mission by maintaining accurate and accessible plant information, responding to public inquiries, and enhancing user experience across platforms. Through collaboration, volunteer coordination, and content development, the Specialist fosters meaningful engagement with native plants and ecosystems while supporting the educational goals of the Learning and Engagement team.

• Public Engagement and Resource Sharing. Respond to public requests for native plant information, images, and related resources through email, phone, and in-person inquiries. Ensure timely, accurate, and engaging communication that supports the Center's mission.
• Digital Innovation and User Experience. Drive innovation of NPONA and related resources to enhance public access and use of native plant information across desktop and mobile platforms. Collaborate with internal teams to improve usability, accessibility, and engagement with plant databases and image libraries.
• Database and Image Library Management. Maintain and update the NPONA database and native plant image library. Ensure data accuracy, metadata consistency, and alignment with current taxonomic standards. Coordinate with IT and content teams to support system functionality and user experience.
• Volunteer Coordination and Program Support. Recruit, train, and manage volunteers who support plant information programs. Develop engagement activities such as training sessions, festival participation, and special events that align with Learning and Engagement goals.
• Content Development and Editorial Support. Contribute to Wildflower Center communications by writing blog posts, educational content, and plant features for the website and other media. Provide editorial support for plant-related publications and outreach materials.
• Other Duties as Assigned. Support mission-related events, including occasional evening and weekend hours. Participate in cross-departmental initiatives and contribute to the continuous improvement of Learning and Engagement programs.

• Minimum 5 years of experience managing a database, preferably related to natural sciences, education, or public engagement.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in customer service, education, or public programming.
• Undergraduate degree in one of the following fields (or related): Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science, Information Science, Museum Studies, Education.
• Experience in digital asset management systems, including organizing, tagging, and maintaining image and document libraries.

• Working knowledge of plant taxonomy and classification systems.
• Familiarity with native plants and ecosystems, especially those relevant to Texas and the southern U.S.
• Understanding of AI technologies and their potential applications in public engagement and database accessibility.

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. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

$55,000+ depending on qualifications

• May work around standard office conditions, including repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Ability to work outside in all types of weather, including extreme temperatures.
• Evening and weekend work will be required for events.
• May stand for long periods of time. 

• Monday - Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, some flexibility is available
• Occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays for mission-related events.

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information including email address; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.
• Letter of interest

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.

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