Butterfly Exhibit Assistant Manager

DescriptionMontgomery Parks is currently seeking Butterfly Exhibit Assistant Managers for a live butterfly exhibit at Brookside Gardens. Staff care for plants, butterflies, and provide customer service to visitors inside the Conservatory at Brookside Gardens, a public horticulture display garden located in Wheaton, Maryland. This is an eight-month part-time position with a 30-hours/week schedule, including all weekends and holidays and two weekdays per week. The ideal candidate is energetic, enthusiastic about plants and insects and enjoys interacting with a wide variety of people.About The HFEE Division And Brookside GardensThe Horticulture, Forestry, and Environmental Education (HFEE) Division contributes to the preservation and maintenance of our parks’ natural and cultural resources. Brookside Gardens is one of Park’s public gardens, displaying horticultural exhibits that are designed, installed, and maintained using ecological landscape practices as a model and inspiration to more than a million visitors per year. Our public gardens offer a wide variety of educational programs for children and adults are planned to excite curiosity and encourage lifelong learning, with the vision of mobilizing residents of Montgomery County as dedicated stewards of the natural world.Learn More About Brookside Gardens: https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/ About Montgomery ParksMontgomery Parks is an award-winning park system and part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Supported by more than 1,000 dedicated employees, we care for 416 parks, including trails, and natural spaces across Montgomery County, with team members working in a wide range of roles including park operations, public programs, park planning, public safety, and administration. Our work is visible in everyday moments, from safe, well-maintained trails to welcoming parks and community programs. Careers with Montgomery Parks offer purpose, stability, and the opportunity to make a visible, lasting impact where people live, work, and connect.Learn More About Montgomery Parks: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/ For more information about the Seasonal Hiring process and application status for Montgomery County, please contact mcp-parkscareers@montgomeryparks.org . Examples of Important DutiesWhat You’ll DoButterfly Exhibit Operations & CareOpen and close the butterfly exhibit and maintain clean, safe walkwaysPerform daily plant care (watering, grooming, weeding) to support butterfly habitat healthReceive, handle, and release live butterflies in accordance with USDA permit requirementsMonitor butterfly nutrition sources and assist with proper sanitization and disposal of materialsVisitor Experience & Butterfly EducationAssist visitors with ticketing, check-in, and questionsProvide accurate, engaging information about butterflies and the exhibitRespond to requests in a helpful, positive manner and communicate rules clearlyVolunteer Support & Team OperationsTrain and work with volunteer docents to support a strong butterfly exhibit experienceGuide volunteers assisting with butterfly care, plant maintenance, and exhibit supportBalance hands-on butterfly exhibit work with visitor interaction and team coordinationImportant Skills and CharacteristicsFollows detailed instructions accurately and maintains strong attention to detail, including recordkeepingReliable and punctualStrong communication, leadership, and customer service skills, including confidently addressing groupsAble to work in hot, humid conditions and safely operate tools and equipmentKnowledge of, or willingness to learn, plant care, pest/disease identification, and greenhouse systemsWorks well independently and as part of a teamMinimum QualificationsMinimum QualificationsHigh School diploma or GED.One year of customer service experienceApplicants must be at least 18 years or olderPreferred Qualifications:Previous horticulture experience in a greenhouse or conservatory.Previous experience of handling insects or other live animals.Previous experience with interpretation, teaching, or public speaking/engagement.Supplemental InformationMay be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.Working ConditionsPrimarily works inside a glass Conservatory with exposure to temperature extremes such as high heat, humidity, and cold damp conditions.Must be able to perform strenuous work, including the ability to: stoop, bend, stretch, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds.Works independently and as part of a team.Works all weekends and holidays and two weekdays per week.Additional InformationThis position is not eligible for benefits.A fingerprinting and background investigation will be completed prior to hire.Additional duties and full list of Job Description available upon request.The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.