Prop Making Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

About Denver Botanic Gardens: Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens was founded in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, The Gardens has a robust living plant collection, natural history collection and art collection along with temporary art exhibitions. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family – as well as world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs. 

For more information, visit us online at www.botanicgardens.org.

Along with the mission of bringing plants to people, our Core Values are a fundamental driver of the Gardens culture. They are:

Sustainability. We are devoted to an institutional, environmental and human sustainability.

Diversity. We champion inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility for all we encounter, and also support programmatic, ecological and plant diversity.

Relevance. We make connections with all people using a lens of inclusion, equity and responsiveness.

Transformation. We believe ever-evolving public gardens change the world and lead to positive transformation of human spirit and knowledge. 

Denver Botanic Gardens is currently seeking a Seasonal Events Production Assistant in our Events Department! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:

Applications will be accepted through September 10, 2026 or until a candidate is found

Position Summary

This position supports the Public Events team to operate, execute, and troubleshoot technical elements of Glow at the Gardens, Corn Maze, Pumpkin Festival, Blossoms of Light, and Trail of Lights. This position also assists installing and strike lighting, sound, prop, and scenic elements for our immersive nighttime events Glow at the Gardens and Blossoms of Light. 

This job requires a flexible schedule that includes availability for daytime, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts in various environments including indoors, outdoors, and all-weather conditions. 

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Executes nightly event duties for assigned shifts of Glow at the Gardens, Blossoms of Light, and Trail of Lights. Duties will include but are not limited to: maintenance and troubleshooting of décor, lighting, and sound elements, signage placement, setting pathway closures, and adapting events for poor weather conditions in consultation with full-time Events and Security staff. 
• Installs and strikes assigned elements of event equipment including lighting and sound equipment, props and scenic décor, signage, barricades, event supplies, and more.  
• Supports event operations for assigned shifts during Corn Maze and Pumpkin Festival. Duties may include setting up, tearing down, leading volunteers, operating/maintaining event equipment and decor, and adapting events for poor weather conditions.
• Participates in event safety procedures including but not limited to snow removal, ice mitigation, and guest relations. 
• Leads volunteer pumpkin carvers & manages production and deployment of carved jack-o’-lanterns in preparation for Glow at the Gardens. 
• Assists in resolving minor guest issues in a positive, disarming manner. 
• Assists with inventorying, sorting, organizing, and packing event supplies at both onsite and offsite storage facilities.
• Completes assigned production work in preparation for Glow at the Gardens, Corn Maze, Blossoms of Light, and Trail of Lights. Duties may include building props/scenic elements, scenic painting, preparing lighting and sound equipment for installation, and more.
• Communicates progress and questions on all projects via Wrike, the team’s cloud-based project management system. 
• Occasionally supports private events team to set up and assist with crowd management for clients hosting weddings, celebrations of life, corporate events, or other. 
• Follows radio communication procedures and policies.
• May assist with basic administrative duties in the events office. 
• Regular attendance at the worksite may be required. As with all positions at Denver Botanic Gardens, the incumbent must be in good performance standing to be eligible for remote work. Remote work is at the discretion of management at all times.
• All Gardens employees must be committed to the mission of connecting people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

Position Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must be comfortable operating ladders, electric pallet jacks, golf carts, power tools such as drills, hand tools, handheld saws, etc. 
• Basic skills in electrical systems for lighting and sound installations are required. 
• Basic skills in theatrical carpentry, prop-making and scenic painting are strongly preferred. 
• Mechanical aptitude preferred. 
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as event instructions, safety rules, operating guidelines, and installation diagrams.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. 
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Must be able to lift and maneuver up to 50 pounds on a regular basis. 
• Must be able to complete highly physical labor multiple days in a row outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. 
• Must be physically able to work on hands and knees, as well as at heights from ladders. 
• May be asked to wear a respirator on painting days.
• Must have proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations.
• Ability to be flexible and willing to modify plans, when necessary, throughout the day.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams.  
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.
• Must be a positive representative of the Gardens both internally and externally at all times.
• Must work with respect and cooperation at all times with fellow employees and the public.
• Must be committed to working safely at all times.

Experience/Education:

• High school diploma / GED and/or combination of education and equivalent experience is required. 
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in theatrical production (lighting, sound, carpentry, painting, prop-making, production design) is required.

Travel:

Up to 25% travel required. Requires the ability to travel to remote locations (or other Garden locations) where environment may vary significantly.  

Come work for a place that offers you SO much more than just a paycheck!