Program Specialists

Announcement

Details

Open Date 09/03/2026 Requisition Number PRN46121B Job Title Program Specialists Working Title Garden Engagement Coordinator Career Progression Track P00 Track Level P2 - Developing, P1 - Entry Level Pro FLSA Code Professional Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Variable Work Schedule Summary

M-F; 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, occasional evenings and weekends as required by programs and events.

VP Area President Department 00340 - Red Butte Garden & Arboretum Location Campus City Salt Lake City, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range $52,000.00 - $56,000.00 Close Date 12/03/2026 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) 12/03/2026 Job Summary

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, serves as the State Arboretum of Utah. Located on 100 acres in the foothills above the University of Utah campus, Red Butte Garden includes over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of natural area trails. The Garden is nationally recognized for its diverse plant collections, seasonal floral displays, outdoor concert series, private event spaces, and award winning horticultural education programs.

The Garden Engagement Coordinator develops, coordinates, and evaluates engagement programs for the Education and Community Programs department at Red Butte Garden, creating connections between plants and people. This position serves as the primary coordinator for a portfolio of programs and special events designed to connect families and community audiences with plants, nature, and the Garden.

The Garden Engagement Coordinator is responsible for the continued development and growth of community programming, including identifying new program opportunities, building relationships with community partners, and creating engaging educational and interpretive experiences. This position also supports Garden-wide festivals and events and works closely with the Youth & Family Programs Manager and Youth Programs Coordinator to advance the overall goals of Garden engagement.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary coordinator for assigned community and Garden engagement programs.
• Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with cultural institutions, community organizations, schools, and other groups that support the Garden's mission and expand opportunities for community and Garden engagement.
• Work with community partners to develop programs, activities, and experiences both at the Garden and within the community.
• Coordinate and participate in off-site engagement opportunities representing the Garden and sharing its programs and educational resources.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen participation in Garden programs and build ongoing relationships with community audiences.
• Lead assigned programs from initial planning through implementation and evaluation, including developing timelines, coordinating logistics, preparing materials, scheduling staff and volunteers, and overseeing program execution.
• Identify gaps and opportunities within the Garden's family programming and develop new community and Garden engagement programs, activities, and experiences that respond to audience interests and advance departmental and Garden goals.
• Develop engaging, age-appropriate educational activities and interpretive content related to plants, nature, horticulture, and the Garden.
• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to part-time education staff during assigned programs and events.
• Assign responsibilities and provide staff with the information, resources, and support needed to successfully deliver programs.
• Support the planning and implementation of Garden-wide festivals and special events.
• Participate in event setup, execution, troubleshooting, and teardown as part of the broader event team.
• Purchase, monitor budget, organize, inventory, and maintain supplies, educational materials, and equipment for assigned programs.
• Track, compile, program information and data for departmental, grant, board, and other reports as needed.
• Maintain program calendars, timelines, records, evaluations, and other administrative materials.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

• Often: Office, Classroom environment, Garden/Outdoor environment, Storage and tool rooms, Event spaces, Public spaces
• Seldom: parking lots, campus areas

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

• Often: standing, sitting, listening, talking, walking (sometimes on hilly, uneven terrain), driving trams, bending, reaching overhead, repetitive hand motion (such as typing), lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs., setting up classroom spaces.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Program Specialists, I: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master's (or equivalency) degree.

Program Specialists, II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

• Bachelor's degree in education, horticulture, environmental studies, museum studies, or another related field
• Experience developing, coordinating, or delivering educational, family, or community programs.
• Experience working in a garden, museum, nature center, school, camp, community organization, or similar educational or cultural setting.
• Demonstrated interest in plants, nature, horticulture, environmental education, or informal learning.
• Experience developing or maintaining relationships with community organizations or program partners.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and project coordination skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to think creatively and respond calmly and effectively to changing or stressful situations.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • What is your highest level of completed education?

• None

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree

• Doctorate Degree

• • How many years of related work experience do you have?

• Less than 6 years

• 6 years or more, but less than 9 years

• 9 years or more, but less than 12 years

• 12 years or more, but less than 15 years

• 15 years or more

• • Do you have any experience planning or leading informal educational activities?

• Yes

• No

• • Beyond a paycheck, what do you hope to get out of working at Red Butte Garden?

(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents