Req #: 233545

Department: UW BOTANIC GARDENS

Job Location Detail: Center for Urban Horticulture, Washington Park Arboretum. Hybrid 2 days or less per week.

Posting Date: 04/25/2024

Closing Info: Closes On 05/09/2024

Salary: $25.20 per hour

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/04/benefits-summary-classified-staff-less-than-half-time-20230701_a11y.pdf)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Location: Center for Urban Horticulture and field sites throughout Seattle, WA

University of Washington Botanic Gardens Education Program Mission: Provide meaningful educational experiences that enrich participants’ connections with plants and the natural world.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, we value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, fairness, and opportunity for all. We see implicit and explicit exclusion from green spaces like botanic gardens as an injustice that shapes our past and present and must be countered as we move into the future.

As a community, we believe that working to achieve equity and promote inclusion is both crucial and complex; we embrace the continuous commitment, the collective growth mindset, and the humility required to make meaningful transformation.

For the full statement of commitment, visit https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/ Program Overview: The University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG) is a leading center of botanical research, education, and outreach. With more than 320 acres of gardens and natural areas in the heart of Seattle, the UW Botanic Gardens is home to internationally significant plant collections, award-winning restoration ecology and conservation programs, and popular public programs serving youth, adults, and professionals. UW Botanic Gardens has two sites: the Washington Park Arboretum and the Center for Urban Horticulture.

UW Botanic Gardens provides support to the City of Seattle’s Trees for Neighborhoods program. Trees for Neighborhoods helps residents plant 1,000 trees each fall in their yards and along the street.

The UW Botanic Gardens Adult Education team hosts a variety of public education and professional horticulture programs throughout the year.

Trees for Neighborhoods (75%): Coordinate and carry out summer work around outreach for program applicants, field evaluations of street trees, and evaluation and marking of proposed sites for new street trees throughout Seattle. Participate in applicant review and interviews for fall crew members. Support educational programming about tree selection and care for program participants. Lead the planning and coordination of direct delivery of the trees to participants’ homes, using a UW vehicle.

Adult Education (25%): Coordinate activities for UW Botanic Gardens public education and professional horticulture programs. Participate in multiple phases of the activities or programs including planning, marketing, delivery, maintenance, and evaluation.

Dates: June 17, 2024 – January 31, 2025, approx. 40 hours/week

The Adult Education Program Coordinator (NE H NI SEIU 925 Non Supv) will work approximately 40 hours/week for the duration of the project. Work will occur primarily M-F, 8:30am-5pm, with occasional evening and weekend hours. Four scheduled weekend dates are required: 9/21, 9/22, 9/28 & 9/29.

Work will take place at the Center for Urban Horticulture (3501 NE 41st St., Seattle), the Washington Park Arboretum, and at various residential locations throughout Seattle.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Trees for Neighborhoods (75%) Coordinate and carry out outreach to program participants. Follow Trees for Neighborhoods protocol to conduct a field evaluation of 600+ selected street trees planted through the Trees for Neighborhoods program, driving a UW vehicle to sites. Visit 200-300 addresses provided by Trees for Neighborhoods staff and mark proposed street tree planting sites for this year’s program. Keep in daily contact with program staff to ask questions and report on progress. Plan and coordinate logistics for three Trees for Neighborhoods tree distribution events, one south Seattle workshop and direct delivery of a portion of the trees to participants’ homes.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinate and execute outreach plan to priority neighborhoods for program participation.

• Reserve and drive U-car throughout Seattle. Car must be picked up from and returned to UW Seattle campus daily.

• Visit street trees planted throughout Seattle, using an iPad to enter them into SDOT’s street tree inventory map. Collect and enter data on tree health into Excel spreadsheet.

• Provide tree care feedback to residents through door hangers.

• Visit sites with requests for 2024 street trees and use spray paint to mark planting strips ahead of utility marking for permit review.

• Collaborate and communicate effectively with program staff, sharing progress updates and collected data daily.

• Plan and coordinate logistics for four Trees for Neighborhoods training events, one south Seattle mulch giveaway and direct delivery of the trees to participants’ homes, using a UW vehicle.

• Communicate with crew members about shift schedules and individual responsibilities.

• Alongside crew members, unload deliveries of trees, watering bags, and workshop supplies.

• Attend training and support tree distribution events by setting up and taking down event space, hosting check-in and hospitality.

• Lead scripted tree planting workshops for members of the public.

• Fill bags of wood chip mulch.

• Assist as needed with public outreach and preparation of paperwork and workshop materials.

• Track budgets for the project, including building and sending monthly invoices to the Trees for Neighborhoods Program Manager.UWBG Adult Education (25%)

• Coordinate activities for UW Botanic Gardens public education and professional horticulture programs. Participate in multiple phases of the activities or programs including planning, marketing, delivery, maintenance, and evaluation.

• Assist with the development of professional conferences and symposia offered by UWBG for academic and professional audiences.

• Assist with production of electronic newsletters and other publications, including website features.

• Coordinate the work of an AmeriCorps volunteer in designing and hosting weekly educational docent stations at the Washington Park Arboretum.

• Coordinate the work of a program assistant, students and volunteers regarding course logistics and promotion. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High school graduation or equivalent AND two years of experience in the program specialty OR equivalent education/experience. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, environmental education, or related fields

• Excellent writing and editing skills and experience in writing for a general audience.

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work on a variety of tasks concurrently.

• Excellent verbal communication skills and an ability to enthusiastically promote the organizations programs and partnerships.

• Ability to work evenings or weekends to represent the organization at hosted classes and events as needed.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Knowledge of and experience with tree planting and care.

• Familiarity with common street tree species and ability to determine species if unknown.

• Experience communicating with the public and/or providing excellent customer service.

• Experience leading a team, coordinating others’ schedules and tasks.

• Experience with Word, Excel, database software, web navigation, email software, website content editing, and listservs.

• Knowledge of and experience with current environmental and horticultural issues and organizations, preferably in the Pacific Northwest. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.

• Ability to continuously stand or walk frequently.

• Ability to bend, climb stairs, lift up to 20 pounds, and squat occasionally.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.