Job Type Full-time Description Job Title: Exhibit Technician Department: Learning and Public Engagement Supervisor: Exhibit Production Coordinator Supervises: Volunteers FLSA Salary Classification: Non-Exempt Revision Update: July 2025 Availability: Primary schedule of standard business hours. Some required evening and weekend availability for exhibit and major event installation, production, and de-installation. Position Summary: Exhibitions are mission-focused, mainly outdoor and include elements such as traveling and home-grown exhibits, light shows, plant displays, artwork/sculpture, and interpretation signage. This position serves as an integral part of the visitor experience by fabricating, installing, and maintaining signs and exhibits. Essential Functions:
- Monitor, maintain, and repair exhibits and signage, consulting the Exhibit Production Coordinator and Site Maintenance team as necessary. Signage includes interpretive, wayfinding, and directional.
- Unpack, handle, install, and crate daytime exhibits according to museum conservation standards. Assist with the installation, maintenance and de-installation of traveling and home-grown exhibits.
- Test, assemble, and install lighting technologies and equipment. Support integration of lighting technologies into current garden infrastructure and programs.
- Follow installation schedules and expectations for all exhibit and lighting integrations. Lead volunteer teams when assigned and scheduled.
- Support building, installation, and takedown of light exhibit displays, such as Galaxy of Lights, at the Garden. Obtain training on troubleshooting light experiences, safety protocols, and event-closing procedures.
- Perform nightly light maintenance for garden events, such as Galaxy of Lights.
- Learn, understand, and demonstrate the ability to safely operate all heavy and small equipment at the Garden according to the operator's manuals. Responsible for proper operation and maintenance of tools and equipment, complying with OSHA and Garden regulatory requirements.
- Responsible for signage installation/deinstallation for garden events and programs as requested. Maintain outdoor wayfinding and directional signs, including painting various substrates, vinyl application, and scheduling for repairs/replacements and performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements Minimum Qualifications: Associate degree or 2+ years of related experience in exhibits, major events, or galleries required. Experience must include carpentry, fabrication, or other physical elements of exhibit construction (painting, assembling, laminating, etc.) and driving a Cushman cart. Must possess a valid driver's license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. Candidates must be comfortable working outdoors in both daytime and evening hours. Must be comfortable working independently and in team settings. Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required. Success Factors:
- A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Garden's mission of connecting people with plants with genuine passion that also embraces and exemplifies the Garden's core values.
- Ability to use and be trained on heavy machinery such as a chainsaw, forklift, telehandler, skidsteer, tractor, and pallet jack. Comfortable using basic hand and power tools (drill, drivers, saw, level, hammer tape measure, etc.)
- Ability to follow schedules and direction is crucial to the success of this position.
- Must have a willingness to learn, showing interest in exhibits, lighting equipment and technological displays.
Preferred Qualifications: Extensive experience and/or certifications in heavy machinery. 5+ years' experience working with exhibits in museums, botanical gardens, or theatre. Background working with RGB or DMX lighting technology is a plus. Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Physical demands: Hand dexterity to work with hand tools and electrical supplies safely and efficiently following OSHA standards. Sense of vision in the normal range with or without correction. Sense of touch and the ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment required. Occasional solo lifting up to 50 lbs. Must be able to move between widely separated work sites, many outdoors and on uneven terrain.
- Work Environment: Primarily outdoor conditions on uneven terrain and can include working in inclement weather, heat, cold, and humidity. Equipment used includes two-way radios, hand tools, heavy machinery, Cushman carts, lighting equipment and rigging, and electrical testing devices.
Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize major duties and responsibilities of employees and are subject to change as needs and programs change. At Huntsville Botanical Garden they are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive. It is expected that up to 20% of your duties may change annually. Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. The Huntsville Botanical Garden supports a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Garden is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans. Salary Description $15.00 - $16.50