Exhibitions Coordinator - Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Columbus, OH 43203
About the Job
ABOUT US
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers world-class horticulture, art & nature-based exhibitions and educational programs. The 13-acre indoor and outdoor facility—situated two miles from downtown Columbus—features glasshouses including the historic John F. Wolfe Palm House; botanical gardens including the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden and Scotts Miracle Gro-Foundation Community Garden Campus; and event venues. The Conservatory is home to the largest collection of Chihuly glass in a botanical garden and Light Raiment II by internationally renowned artist James Turrell. Committed to the community, the Conservatory strives to provide an accessible and welcoming experience to all.
MISSION
Inspired by horticulture, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens elevates quality of life and connects the community through educational, cultural and social experiences.
VISION
A world that celebrates nature as essential to the human experience.
JOB SUMMARY
The Exhibitions Coordinator is an experienced contributor and a key member of the Horticulture and Exhibitions team who is responsible for providing logistical support for the Conservatory’s year-round exhibitions calendar. The Exhibitions Coordinator will report to the Associate Director of Exhibitions and assists in the planning of exhibition preparation, installation, staging, shipments, and inventory management, while being mindful of the Conservatory’s operational timelines unique to each project. This team member can play numerous roles and specializes in various aspects of planning and operations at the Conservatory while serving as a leader. This role supports departmental and facility goals, mission, and values with a strong emphasis on customer service while being an ambassador for the organization.
Additional Information: This is a full-time non-exempt position. This position is eligible for the Conservatory's benefit package offered to full-time employees, which includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid Life/AD&D/Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance, participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement Program (OPERS), optional 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan, generous Paid Time Off (PTO), and complimentary membership to the Conservatory.
Compensation: $21 per hour paid biweekly.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversees the department’s documentation and inventory of exhibition props and display items by updating and ensuring accuracy for electronic records. This includes noting object locations and quantities, surveying records and the overall health of the inventory database, and ensuring objects are stored appropriately to maintain their quality.
- Supports the Exhibitions Manager and Exhibitions Designer with organizing the project schedule, identifying project needs and challenges, and coordinating the movement of exhibitions inventory.
- Prepares onsite exhibition and storage spaces for installation; organizes ideal staging locations for items moving to the Conservatory and works with other staff to determine item locations and the operational impacts of these decisions.
- Coordinates efforts in inventory movement to and from offsite storage facilities, including organizing inventory move dates, preparing items for moves, and working with others in Horticulture & Exhibitions to store and implement these items successfully.
- Supports the exhibition design phase by processing incoming shipments and orders of new products.
- Updates entries in the electronic database for these shipments, creates physical labels for identification, and organizes items into storage areas.
- Assists the Exhibitions team with the phases of exhibition development between design and implementation. This includes supporting the fabrication of newly introduced display items, installation and de-installation, and the creation of documents that include design notes and other needs for efficient operational planning.
- Leads finite projects related to exhibition installations or daily operations, including working with Exhibitions Assistants and other staff to carry out the design vision for varied department needs within exhibition timelines.
- Maintains department supplies and the overall care and cleanliness of work and storage areas; this includes monitoring the stock of ongoing supply needs and keeping spaces prepared for operations on an ongoing basis.
- Occasionally assists with a wide variety of daily operations for seasonal exhibits, such as Blooms & Butterflies, Paul Busse Garden Railway, Pumpkins Aglow, and Conservatory Aglow.
- Assists with the quality of the exhibition signage program, including straightening, cleaning, reporting and turning in damaged signage.
- Works alongside volunteers and interns, providing project direction when needed.
- Safely and correctly operates equipment and tools to efficiently accomplish work, including but not limited to: carts, drills, saws, blowers, trucks, tractors, etc.
- Follows proper use and wear of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Supports offsite storage organization and transporting of props.
- Promptly observes and reports concerns regarding exhibition displays or safety issues, or addresses situations when appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned and demonstrates focus on serving the visitors and guests of the Conservatory.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Bachelors Degree in Arts (BA), Fine Arts (BFA), Museum Studies, Arts Administration, or related field, OR equivalent combination of education and work experience.
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience organizing electronic databases and providing logistical support for inventories, preferably in a cultural institution.
- Demonstrated experience creating and/or constructing set designs, including repair and maintenance with the use of power tools or performance of similar duties in a technical role. Prior museum experience is desired.
- Demonstrated experience with leading projects and daily operations.
- Valid Driver’s License with the ability to provide own transportation to and from work sites if needed.
- Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays and special events as needed.
SKILLS REQUIRED AND RESULTS TYPICALLY ACHIEVED
- Knowledge of basic software programs (Word, Excel and Google workspace).
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to lead and train others during supervised projects.
- Must possess the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
- Attention to detail is essential.
- The ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to implement effective maintenance routines with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to implement exhibition and conservatory designs.
- Ability to safely operate and maintain tools and machinery such as electrical equipment, power tools, saws, lifts, trucks, etc.
- Team focused with the ability to follow directions and work independently.
- Frequently lifts, carries, or otherwise moves materials weighing up to 50lbs to accomplish plant or exhibition installations and maintenance, with or without accommodation.
- Ability to work in a variety of settings ranging from outdoors, office environment, gallery settings and warehouses.
- Ability to operate lifts and ladders to ascend plant canopy for exhibition installation safely.
- Ability and willingness to perform hands-on labor in all types of weather, indoors and outdoors: heat and humidity, freezing temperatures, wind and rain.
- Ability to support the mission and values of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
EEO Statement:
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Conservatory does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, lactation status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other protected status. The Conservatory values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.