Employment at Phipps

Phipps is looking for dedicated people with a passion for the green world. New opportunities are posted frequently so please check back often. Qualified candidates should send their resume and cover letter via email to hr@phipps.conservatory.org or mail to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Human Resources Department, 1059 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. Phipps is an equal opportunity employer.

Full-time Positions:

Full-time employees enjoy discounts in The Shop in the Park, The Shop at Phipps and Café Phipps, as well as free tuition for Phipps education classes. After a 60-day waiting period, full-time employees are eligible for health care, vision, and dental insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, personal leave, paid holidays, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance. After one year and 1,000 hours, full-time employees qualify for the retirement program.

Accountant

Phipps is seeking a full-time Accountant to prepare timely and accurate financial statements, administer financial policies and procedures and provide internal financial services, as well as oversee maintenance of Phipps’ accounting and financial records. Principal duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Provide for the maintenance of the general ledgers, general journals, payroll records, accounts payable function, cash receipts and maintenance of various contract and document files related to permanent records of Phipps.
• Prepare daily, monthly, quarterly and annual reports for the board of trustees and department heads.
• Coordinate the auditing of financial statements and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles with Phipps’ independent public accountants.
• Prepare and file in a timely manner required tax returns, observing all relevant local, state, and federal regulations.
• Work with chief financial officer to prepare Phipps’ annual budget.

A bachelor’s degree in accounting and three years’ relevant experience is required. Nonprofit experience and/or CPA certification is a plus. Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Building Maintenance Technician CSL

Phipps is engaged in the final stages of construction of the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, a state-of-the-art building which will exceed LEED Platinum. We are seeking an experienced Building Maintenance Technician as we move into the next level of sustainable building management. Essential duties will include:

• Maintenance, repair and commissioning of all renewable energy sources including solar panel arrays and wind turbine.
• Operating, installing and maintaining equipment including boilers, pumps, valves, piping, generators, air conditioning, compressors, fans and related machinery.
• Installing and maintaining electrical equipment including switches, controls, motors, lighting, wiring, etc.
• Managing and completing work tickets.

A valid Pennsylvania driver’s license is required. Must be available to work any of three shifts, seven days a week.  Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Display Horticulturist-Sustainable Areas

Phipps is seeking a full-time Display Horticulturist—Sustainable Areas to ensure the detailed maintenance of the sustainable areas and compliance with SITES™ requirements and to work with various monitoring systems and research projects. The Display Horticulturist will work closely with other Phipps staff members to:

• Serve on the committee developing the site maintenance plan, as required by SITES™, for the new gardens.
• Carry out the site maintenance plan including all horticulture duties within the sustainable areas, covering interior and exterior gardens, green roof and other garden features, resulting in a functional landscape that is also aesthetically pleasing and well maintained. This includes but is not limited to plant installation and replacement, watering, deadheading, planting, pruning, mulching, fertilization and IPM.
• Monitor and control invasive plant species.
• Assist with regular monitoring and maintenance of green infrastructure and landscape sensors and monitors.
• Assist research collaborators such as Phipps staff, universities and partners collecting information and samples onsite.
• Assist with installation, maintenance and teardown of flower shows, special exhibits, display rooms, outdoor gardens and special projects as required.
• Interact with a variety of people, from homeowners and families to scientists to researchers.
• Write articles, give tours, teach classes and assist with special events.

Requirements include:
• Knowledge of a vast plant palette, especially native plants
• Ability to research the needs of individual crops and to suggest suitable plants to add to displays; design skills desired.
• Knowledge of plant communities, ecosystem services and organic landscape maintenance practices
• Knowledge of green infrastructure monitoring systems and strategies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

This position requires physical mobility of sitting, standing, kneeling, walking, climbing up to 15 feet, and lifting/carrying objects up to 80 pounds. Evening and weekend work will be required. The qualified candidate must have a minimum of a 4-year degree in an appropriate field such as horticulture, sustainable horticulture technology or landscape contracting with 1-2 years’ experience, or a 2-year degree with 5 or more years’ experience. Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Finance & Marketing Administrative Assistant

Phipps is seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant to provide administrative support to the Finance and Marketing departments. The qualified candidate must be able to work independently and be detail-oriented with excellent verbal and written skills. Finance duties will include data entry of donor gifts and financial information, as well as assistance with month-end closings, journal entries, financial statements, analysis and reports, and account reconciliations. Marketing duties will include media and email list maintenance and copying, filing and mailing assistance. Business school or high school diploma and experience with Excel/spreadsheets required; experience with Blackbaud preferred. Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Interactive Marketing Assistant

Phipps is seeking a full-time Interactive Marketing Assistant to optimize our online marketing programs. The ideal candidate will have solid knowledge of building digital media campaigns in social platforms and expertise in Facebook, Twitter, foursquare, Gowalla and other digital technologies. Responsibilities will include managing day-to-day communications on social media channels, writing and editing web copy, e-communications and blogs, and continually assessing new opportunities in social media. A bachelor’s degree, demonstrated experience in website and social media tools, and excellent creative writing and editorial skills are required.  Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Laborer/Heavy Custodial

Phipps is seeking a full-time Laborer/Heavy Custodial worker to perform routine, heavy custodial and labor-related tasks, including securing the facility. Must maintain assigned tools and equipment, assist with show installations and have knowledge in the upkeep of facility offices and grounds. A valid PA driver’s license is required. Must be available all shifts, including evenings and weekends. High school degree required; 3 years' experience in general labor preferred. Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Membership Manager

Phipps is seeking a full-time Membership Manager to provide strategic marketing, direction and leadership of the membership program. Responsibilities will include the cultivation and retention of members; developing strategies and carrying out tasks associated with the membership program including campaigns, benefits, correspondence and brochures; database maintenance; and planning and coordinating member events. The candidate must be a highly motivated, proactive and creative individual with exceptional guest service, communication and organizational skills. Bachelor’s degree with 2 years’ relevant experience required; nonprofit experience preferred. Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Science Education Specialist

Phipps is seeking a full-time Science Education Specialist to strengthen and create new youth-focused education and outreach initiatives in the areas of environmental conservation and sustainability, art and science, and healthy living, with the core of building a positive relationship between humanity and the environment. The Science Education Specialist will work closely with the Science Education staff and volunteers to:

• Create, coordinate and teach cross-disciplinary, participatory environmental education programs and tours to school, homeschool, scout, after-school, camp, and under-resourced youth groups.
• Develop programs that connect youth and the public to environment-focused scientists in Phipps’ Botany in Action program.
• Prepare materials, purchase supplies, maintain records, and help evaluate effectiveness of programs.
• Assist in the development, coordination and tracking of enrichment opportunities for formal and informal educators.
• Represent Phipps at community events, online as applicable, and present on Phipps’ innovative green initiatives.

Candidates must have a passion for teaching and for the environment, and a demonstrated ability to work with children and the general public through engaging group presentations. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, environmental social sciences or the ecological or conservation-based biological sciences; minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience; and a valid driver’s license and consistent access to a vehicle. Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Part-time Positions:

Part-time employees receive free parking and discounts in The Shop in the Park, The Shop at Phipps and Café Phipps. By maintaining an average of 15 hours per week, part-time employees can enroll in Phipps education classes tuition-free. After one year and 1,000 hours, part-time employees are eligible for the retirement program.

Adult Education Assistant

Phipps’ growing adult education program provides a broad array of educational opportunities for the beginner to advanced gardener, incorporating cutting edge sustainable practices and thinking. Phipps is seeking a part-time Adult Education Assistant (20 hours/week) to carry out all aspects of this expanding adult education program. Responsibilities will include assuring proper setups for all adult classes and programs; assisting with logistics of the Master Gardener program and the Dr. Phipps GreenLine, a garden question hotline and plant clinic; interacting with the public regarding education questions; coordinating details of the Top Ten Sustainable Plants program; assisting with organization of Native Plant Conference, Symposium, Short Course, Plant Auction and Greens Sale.

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, environmental education or other relevant field is required, and the qualified candidate should have a sincere interest and knowledge in horticulture, sustainability and green living. Must have reliable transportation with current PA driver’s license.  Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Event Assistant

Phipps is seeking a part-time Event Assistant to assist at weddings, parties and events year-round. Must be available evenings and weekends. Enjoy flexible hours, free parking, gift shop and café discounts, and access to retirement plan and tuition-free education classes after meeting qualifications. Please include a cover letter and resume when responding.

Guest Service Associate

Phipps is seeking a part-time (15-20 hours per week) Guest Service Associate with a friendly smile and exemplary customer service skills to assist with general admissions and gift shops. Combine your love of plants and people to welcome guests to Phipps! Must be available all shifts, including Friday evenings and weekends. Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Guest Service Associate Shift Manager

Phipps is seeking a part-time Guest Service Associate Shift Manager to assist with general admissions and gift shops, assign staff to daily positions and provide leadership in extraordinary customer service. Museum/nonprofit experience a plus; previous supervisory and customer service experience preferred. Must be available all shifts, including evenings and weekends.  Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.

Seasonal Grower

Phipps is seeking a temporary Seasonal Grower to maintain and care for plants in the Conservatory and gardens. Duties will include watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning and deadheading, as well as assistance with production, installation, maintenance and teardown of flower shows and special exhibits. The qualified candidate must be able to work independently. This position requires physical mobility of sitting, standing, kneeling, walking, climbing up to 15 feet, and lifting/carrying objects up to 80 pounds. Evening and weekend work will be required.  Bachelor's degree in horticulture or plant-related field or equivalent experience preferred. Please include a cover letter, resume and salary requirements when responding.