Botanical Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Announcement
Details
Open Date
06/02/2026
Requisition Number
PRN17120N
Job Title
Program Assistants
Working Title
Plant Records Program Assistant
Career Progression Track
S00
Track Level
S2 - Intermediate, S1 - Entry Level Support
FLSA Code
Nonexempt
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Type
Non Benefited Staff / Student
Temporary?
No
Standard Hours per Week
19
Full Time or Part Time?
Part Time
Shift
Variable
Work Schedule Summary
19 hours per week. Monday - Friday, between the hours of 8:00 AM & 5:00 PM; flexible
Is this a work study job?
No
VP Area
President
Department
00340 - Red Butte Garden & Arboretum
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
$16.50
Close Date
09/02/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
08/29/2026
Job Summary
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West, a regional center for plant-based science education, conservation and research, and cultural enrichment. As part of a state arboretum that encompasses the University of Utah campus, the Garden cultivates an essential urban forestland of over 2,000 trees in 456 different taxa. The Garden has welcomed guests since 1985 and consists of over 20 acres of developed gardens, and approximately five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive 80-acre natural area.
Community-funded, the Garden is renowned for its diverse plant collections, themed gardens, and spectacular mountain setting, with nearly 600,000 springtime blooming bulbs, award-winning horticulture-based educational programs, and an iconic outdoor summer concert series. Guests come to the Garden for a myriad of reasons: to connect with nature, to participate in cultural programs, concerts, and wellness activities, and to attend lectures, classes and workshops. Innovative children's education programs promote environmental sustainability, and educate the next generation of botanists and naturalists, while engaging classes inspire adults to remain lifelong learners.
This position supports the Horticulture Department's Plant Records and administrative teams by assisting with botanical research, data entry, and a variety of office and plant-related tasks.
Perks of working at Red Butte Garden, a department of the University of Utah:

• UTA pass while actively employed at the U of U.
• Discounts for campus events and the campus store, as well as campus library privileges.
• Staff receive a half-price discount on Garden classes, an employee discount in our gift shop, advance registration opportunities for kids camps and concerts, and two free concert tickets for our Outdoor Concert series.

Red Butte Garden is accessible via several bus routes that stop in Research Park and at the University Medical Center, as well as the Trax Red line, followed by a short walk or on-demand university campus shuttle. The campus shuttle offers a direct line to Red Butte Garden via the Sunnyside Route. For more information see:
https://commuterservices.utah.edu/uta/
https://commuterservices.utah.edu/campus-shuttle/
https://www.redbuttegarden.org/directions/
The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.
Responsibilities

• Scans invoices and documents and files them appropriately
• Assists with word processing and data entry
• Plant data research
• Photo editing and labeling
• Outdoor tasks such as photography, bloom date collection, plant label placement, and garden inventory and mapping.
• Plant label assembly, cleaning and organizing
• May assist with greenhouse tasks, inventory, etc.
• Use microscopes for basic plant observation and hands-on learning

Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:
Program Assistant,, I: Requires little to no related experience.
Program Assistant,, II: Requires at least 1 year of related experience.
Preferences

• Botany, horticulture, or gardening experience
• Database experience
• Office experience
• Microscope experience

Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non-Discrimination page.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.