Caine Conservatory - Student Assistants (Botanical Conservatory Assistants, Conservatory Ambassador, Marketing Assistant and/or Curatorial Assistant

Department: Wanek School of Natural Science – Caine Conservatory

Supervisor: Michael Meiners and Jason Lattier

Starting Rate of Pay: $9.00/hr., $10.00/hr. if promoted to Lead Assistant

Length of Time: Per Semester, eligible for potential rehire

Start Date: Positions available for Spring and/or Summer 2027.

Department Description:

The Don & Teresa Caine Conservatory is a botanical teaching conservatory in the Wanek School of Natural Sciences at High Point University. We strive to support a collection of plants that is equal parts beautiful and educational, supporting classes in the natural sciences. And we strive to provide a tranquil space of year-round beauty and enjoyment for our broader campus community.

Job Descriptions:

• The botanical conservatory assistant will help in supporting the roughly 8,000 square feet of display, research, and production spaces, including the main display house, the north production greenhouse, and the south desert greenhouse. This position is best suited for students interested in greenhouse and conservatory work who are enthusiastic about plants, communicate well with staff, and have a desire to learn new skills,

• The exhibition production assistant help plan, produce and support botanical displays, installation, and exhibitions, and aid with care, storage, movement, exhibition, and stewardship of conservatory collections,

• The conservatory ambassador has the primary responsibility to engage with visitors, provide information about plants and the conservatory’s features, education on botanical topics, and promote the organization’s mission through interactive experiences and outreach programs, acting as a knowledgeable and welcoming representative of a botanical space,

• The marketing assistant supports the team by executing marketing campaigns across various channels like social media, email, and content marketing, conducting market research, creating marketing materials, monitoring campaign performance and social media updates,

• The production assistant will support the propagation, care, and maintenance of greenhouse and garden plants. Responsibilities include watering, pruning, transplanting, and assisting with special botanical projects to enhance the university’s horticultural displays or

• The curatorial assistant helps manage and label our amazing plant collection, aid in the design and installation of exhibits and displays, support tours and public events, and contribute to educational programming and signage.

Job Location/ Hours Required:

The candidate will perform most/all job duties in The Caine Conservatory. Hours may vary depending on the job requirements; however, the total number of hours a student employee may work per week is 20 hours. This position requires a minimum of 5 hours per week for Spring and 10 for Summer. In some positions intermittent Spring and Summer break hours are assumed. Some weekend and summer hours are available for Lead Assistants.

Responsibilities:

Botanical Conservatory Assistant

· Able to move over uneven pavement, under railings, and around plants and other obstacles, and to bend, kneel, and grasp during horticulture activities

· Visual and tactile acuity

· Able to lift items of 25lbs and 40lbs occasionally

· Have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA

Conservatory Ambassador

· Greeting guests, answering questions about plants, possibly guiding tours and providing way-finding aid within the conservatory.

· Understand plant taxonomy, characteristics, and ecological relationships to accurately inform visitors.

· Lead guided tours.

· Maintain records of guest feedback and observations to inform future programming.

Marketing Assistant

· Supports/assists with campaign execution – planning and implementing marketing campaigns across multiple channels, including social media, email newsletters, and website content.

· Content creation – drafting engaging copy for marketing materials

· Market research – conduct market research to find trends and target audience insights.

· Data analysis – tracking and reporting on marketing campaign performance using analytics tools to find areas for improvement.

· Social media management – support and updating social media accounts with relevant content, responding to comments and messages.

· Collaborating with team members to create visually appealing marketing materials like brochures, flyers, and infographics

· Manage marketing calendars, databases, and files.

Propagation Assistant

· Aid with the propagation, watering, fertilization, and general care of greenhouse and garden plants.

· Monitor plant health, find pests or diseases, and report any issues to the supervisor.

· Maintain cleanliness and organization in the conservatory, including potting areas and storage spaces.

· Assist with special botanical projects, plant installations, and seasonal displays.

· Support educational and outreach activities by preparing plants and materials for workshops and events.

Curatorial Assistant

· Labeling and organizing plants in the Conservatory’s collection using exact botanical names.

· Aiding in the creation and installation of exhibits and interpretive displays.

· Supporting guided tours, student programs, and Conservatory-hosted events.

· Conducting background research for plant signage and exhibit themes.

· Participating in basic plant care tasks such as watering, grooming, and repotting