Program Assistant (Adult Education Assistant)

Summary:  The Adult Programs Assistant works with the Education Lead Specialist to coordinate adult education programs at The Gardens on Spring Creek. This includes staying up to date on emerging trends in horticulture, urban homesteading, wellness and adult garden learning, scheduling programming, communicating with program participants and instructors, in person and hybrid day-of program, small event coordination and assisting in the development of new educational opportunities.  Working most Saturdays and some evenings is required. This is a part-time position with opportunities for some hybrid work.

Background Information:  The Gardens on Spring Creek is the community botanic garden of Fort Collins.  The mission of The Gardens is to enrich the lives of people and foster environmental stewardship through horticulture.  The facility includes a Visitor’s Center and 12 acres of gardens.  A detailed description of the Gardens on Spring Creek and its programs can be found at www.fcgov.com/gardens.

This is a new position for the organization. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive:

• Coordinate day-off set-up and logistics for all classes including regular Saturday classes and some evening programming.
• Assist with scheduling and recruiting adult instructors with a commitment to quality, mission and diversity.
• Research and stay up to date on emerging trends in horticulture, urban homesteading, wellness and other garden learning.
• Create new and fun adult learning opportunities.
• Establish partnerships with community organizations.
• Set-up, run and trouble shoot hybrid meetings using cameras, computers and MS Teams.
• Work closely with administration and guest service staff to ensure a positive guest experience.
• Work with marketing to ensure programs are advertised on web, social and newsletters.
• Create a sense of community and belonging through inclusive communication with program participants and adult class instructors via email and in person.
• Orient and train volunteers assisting with adult programming.
• Work in Altru database to reserve spaces, schedule and edit programs.
• Help maintain accurate rosters and registrant information in database.
• Sell, refund and reschedule participants.
• Monitor and manipulate education spreadsheets, troubleshooting challenges.

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the necessary functions of this position.

• Decisive and personable individual with the ability to handle challenging situations with calm and kindness while affirming institutional policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to perform exceptional customer service; enjoys working with people; has a “customer first” approach.
• Excellent interpersonal skills when interacting with a diverse public including age, race and disabilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for internal and external customers
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills.
• Organized and detail oriented.
• Ability to prioritize work effectively.
• Confidence working in database system and MS Office Suite (Teams, Outlook and Excel in particular)
• Comfortable troubleshooting moderately complicated computer issues.
• Works independently and proactively.
• Works well as part of a team and individually.
• Anticipate program needs.

Supervision:  This position will train and supervise volunteers.

Required Education and Experience

Minimum: High School Diploma or GED and or functionally related licenses or certificates High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
Experience: Minimum of two-year related administrative/program coordination experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

•  N/A

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, volunteers, or business community members. Ability to effectively present information to management and employees. Spanish speaking skills are preferred.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical demands: The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Strength and stamina enough to set/strike rooms, move and bend, twist, stoop and reach above head in the performance of set-up. 

Work Environment: The employee works in a typical office environment and can be done hybrid between the office and home. Employee will be asked to work variable hours including Saturdays, early morning, afternoon, evening, and late evening shifts, both during the week, weekends, and some holidays. Employees will be asked to work alone or as an unsupervised team.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 
 The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities.  Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.