Guest Experience Lead, Education

Competition 1674

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits.

Location - This role is in person. Work primarily takes place at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the University of Alberta Botanic Garden (UABG)

With passionate, purposive, and resourceful as its foundational values, the University of Alberta Botanic Garden (UABG) is on a mission to connect people with nature, the earth, and the essence of life. The UABG is a stunning 240-acre award-winning visitor attraction located 15 minutes southwest of Edmonton, with cultivated gardens and plant collections, indoor showhouses, and extensive natural areas. Highlights of the UABG, which was established in 1959, include the world-renowned and award-winning Aga Khan Garden, the Kurimoto Japanese Garden, showhouses (tropical, temperate, and arid); collections (alpine, herb, rose, peony, lilac, lily, and primula), Indigenous Peoples Garden, trial beds, and much more. We are passionate about connecting people with the earth so they cherish the essence of life.

The UABG's guiding philosophy is encompassed as:

Purpose: Connecting plants and people, which is our passion

Best At: Creating an environment that nurtures well-being

Economic Engine: Cultivating long-term relationships

Position 

Reporting to the Guest Experience Manager, the Guest Experience Lead: Education is responsible for ensuring that the Guest Experience Team (GET) is delivering consistent world-class experiences to UABG's clients and guests. The primary responsibility will be to oversee and coordinate active and future educational programming such as field trips and workshops.

This role leads a team dedicated to connecting people to plants and the environment via targeted programming, thereby creating long-term relationships with programming participants based on integrating into an environment that nurtures well-being. Collaborating closely with various departments, this role also involves providing support with oversight of daily operational functions as well as leadership and guidance for Guest Experience Representative 1 and 2 team members.

This role requires the ability to effectively manage teams, manage a varied and complex workload, and a high level of accountability. The underlying foundation is a commitment to excellence combined with a proactive approach, which contributes to establishing our reputation as a premier destination for selected educational programming.

Duties 

• Assists and supports new and ongoing educational and volunteer programming at the UABG.
• Responds to inquiries, including requests for information, regarding education and general programming that are received via the Information and Booking emails and telephone lines.
• Maintains quality standards for administrative processes such as field trip bookings, season passes, daily emails, photo bookings, picnic bookings, etc.
• Provides functional guidance and direction on a day-to-day basis to Guest Experience Representative 1 and 2 team members.
• Supports the accounting and financial processes associated with Field Trips and the Guest Experience Team.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Experience teaching and/or working with children
• Experience and comfort with public speaking
• Able to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Excellent time management 
• Strong organization, accuracy, and attention to detail
• Able to work independently and effectively with cross-functional teams
• Computer experience 
• Able to lift and carry 30 pounds
• Flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
• Enjoy working outdoors and able to stand for extended periods of time while working outdoors in all types of weather

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid Class 5 driver's license is an asset - the UABG is not accessible by public transportation 
• 1 - 2 years in a degree in science, environment, or education is an asset
• Standard First Aid (within 3 years) and CPR C Certification (within 1 year) are assets
• Knowledge of nature and the environment is an asset
• Knowledge of IntelliLeisure is an asset 
• Experience and understanding of Google Suite is an asset