Events Production Assistant (Fall-Winter)

About Denver Botanic Gardens

Founded in 1951, Denver Botanic Gardens 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 features a robust living plant collection, natural history collection, and art collection, along with temporary art exhibitions. This dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis offers unique garden experiences, world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs.

Core values driving the Gardens' culture include:

• Sustainability: Devotion to institutional, environmental, and human sustainability.
• Diversity: Championing inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility for all, as well as supporting programmatic, ecological, and plant diversity.
• Relevance: Making connections with all people using a lens of inclusion, equity, and responsiveness.
• Transformation: Belief that ever-evolving public gardens change the world and lead to positive transformation of human spirit and knowledge.

About the Role

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. It also assists in installing and striking lighting, sound, prop, and scenic elements for immersive nighttime events. The role requires a flexible schedule, including availability for daytime, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts in various environments such as indoors, outdoors, and all-weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Executes nightly event duties for assigned shifts of Glow at the Gardens, Blossoms of Light, and Trail of Lights, including 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, and event supplies.
• Supports event operations for assigned shifts during Corn Maze and Pumpkin Festival, including setup, teardown, leading volunteers, operating/maintaining event equipment and decor, and adapting events for poor weather conditions.
• Participates in event safety procedures, including snow removal, ice mitigation, and guest relations.
• Leads volunteer pumpkin carvers and 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 events, including building props/scenic elements, scenic painting, and preparing lighting and sound equipment for installation.
• Communicates progress and questions on all projects via Wrike, the team’s cloud-based project management system.
• Occasionally supports the private events team with setup and crowd management for weddings, celebrations of life, corporate events, or other private functions.
• Follows radio communication procedures and policies.
• May assist with basic administrative duties in the events office.
• All employees must be committed to the mission of connecting people with plants, especially those from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

Requirements

• High school diploma/GED and/or a 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).
• Comfortable operating ladders, electric pallet jacks, golf carts, power tools (e.g., drills, handheld saws), and hand tools.
• Basic skills in electrical systems for lighting and sound installations.
• 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 variables in situations with limited standardization.
• Ability to interpret 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.
• Proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and handle stressful situations.
• Flexibility and willingness to modify plans as necessary throughout the day.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products (Word, Excel, Outlook, 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 with fellow employees and the public.
• Must be committed to working safely at all times.

Travel

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