Guest Experience Associate LTE

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: For nearly 75 years, Olbrich Botanical Gardens has enriched lives and inspired people to live in harmony with the natural world. Located on Madison’s east side, Olbrich features a 10,000-square-foot tropical conservatory and 16 acres of stunning outdoor gardens, welcoming nearly 400,000 visitors annually, including more than 8,500 member households. The outdoor gardens include 10 unique specialty gardens and received the 2022 American Horticultural Society Environmental Award. Indoors, the tropical Bolz Conservatory exhibits an extraordinary collection of exotic plants and orchids complemented by colorful birds and koi. Olbrich is committed to a culture of sustainability and education so that everyone - including future generations - can experience and learn about the fascinating world of plants and gardens.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is operated through a public/private partnership between the City of Madison and the Olbrich Botanical Society (OBS), the non-profit organization that raises over $4.7 million each year to support the daily operation of the Gardens. Together both entities manage a combined operating budget of $7 million and an additional yearly capital improvement budget. OBS helps lead capital campaigns, including its most recent campaign (2020) that raised $6 million to build new greenhouses and the Frautschi Family Learning Center.

INCLUSION COMMITMENT: In pursuit of our mission to enrich lives and inspire harmony with the natural world, Olbrich Botanical Gardens is committed to creating an inclusive environment where every guest, volunteer, and staff member is valued and feels they belong. With mindful intent and dedication to continuous learning, we will work to remove barriers to inclusion through education, organizational improvements, and collaborative partnerships with our diverse community. Together, we celebrate the importance of plants and foster a sustainable, connected world.

The Organization has reviewed this position description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Please note other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or removed at any time. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Organization reserves the right to change this position description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Organization may deem appropriate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

JOB PURPOSE

Olbrich Botanical Gardens seeks 1-2 part-time, seasonal Guest Experience Associates to support guest relations during the evening viewings for the Gardens’ annual GLEAM exhibition. The Guest Experience Associates will assist with ticket check-in, welcoming visitors, and monitoring guest interactions with featured art installations. Ideal candidates have experience in customer service, and a desire/ability to work second shift hours.

WORK SCHEDULE

August 2026

• August 26, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (HR onboarding; GLEAM volunteer & staff training)
• August 29, 7:15 p.m. – 10:45 p.m. (GLEAM Opening Viewing)

September 2026

• Wednesday – Saturday, 7:00-10:45 p.m. (Regular evening viewings)

October 2026

• Wednesday – Thursday, 6:00 – 10:30 p.m. (Regular evening viewings)
• Friday – Saturdays, 6:00 - 10:45-11 p.m. (Regular evening viewings)

Guest Experience Associates will average 2-3 shifts per week (7-12 hours). Associates are not required to work every Saturday throughout the duration of the exhibition in 2026 (opportunity for rehire in August 2027).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

• Welcome guests to Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ GLEAM exhibit and provide general information about the exhibit.
• Utilize handheld ticket scanners, Veevart POS software, and iPads to check-in guest tickets.
• Monitor visitor traffic flow and interactions with featured art installations.
• Promote respectful and responsible enjoyment of the GLEAM exhibit.
• Possibility to be stationed at Gift Shop pop-up, including:
  • Promote sales of special GLEAM merchandise
  • Handle credit card transactions using Square POS
  • Open and close registers, reconcile daily sales
  • Prepare daily overview email for Gift Shop manager and financial coordinator
  • Stock and keep track of product
• Engage visitors of all ages.
• Process transactions using an iPad touch-screen tablet.
• Consistently work Fridays and/or Saturdays in September and October.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions, such as hot, cold, rain, etc.

This job description describes the general nature and scope of responsibilities for this position. Please note other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or removed at any time.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Able to provide a welcoming demeanor.
• Comfortable managing large groups of people
• Mindful communicator with volunteer teams and public guests.
• Flexible, able to adapt quickly while maintaining positive customer interactions.
• Work in a variety of outdoor conditions including wind and rain.
• Displays a confident, fair, energetic, and positive attitude under stress.
• Genuinely enjoys interacting with the general public.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two years related customer service experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (optional/if applicable)

• Ability to speak another language (Spanish)

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed primarily in Olbrich’s public facing areas (lobby, conservatory, outdoor gardens) during evenings after-hours including weekends in all weather conditions such as temperature extremes or wet environments. Work is sometimes performed in stressful situations including installation malfunction, high guest traffic, no-show volunteers, etc. The noise level in the work environment varies depending on the exhibit attendance for each public viewing.

The work environment and job specifications listed are representative of those that must be met by an employee, with or without accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Must be able to stand or walk for prolonged periods of time, typically 3-4 hours at times, in varying crowded spaces.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Must be able to kneel or bend over as required.
• Must be able to work in low-lit environments.
• Must be able to work in a high intensity, people facing environment.

COVER LETTER: Please attach a PDF cover letter explaining your interest in this position at Olbrich and what you would bring to the role.

WORK SCHEDUL E: Part-Time seasonal, 7-12 hours per week. See schedule specifics outlined above; 2 required specific days in August and generally Wednesdays through Saturdays September through October.

BENEFITS: Position is not benefit eligible

JOB TITLE: Guest Experience Associate LTE - GLEAM

DEPARTMENT: Guest Experience

REPORTS TO: Guest Experience Programs Manager

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Flexible part-time Seasonal Limited Term Employee - Hourly Non-exempt

COMPENSATION: $18 per hour

LOCATION: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday July 29, 2026