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Special Exhibits Associate: Butterfly Pavilion

4/9/2026

The associate will engage with museum guests, manage pavilion entry and exit procedures, and provide relief for staff and volunteers. They are also responsible for maintaining the pavilion's flora and ensuring a clean, safe, and orderly exhibit environment.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

51-200 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

No

About The Company
Founded in 1916 as the Museum of Comparative Oology, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has evolved to include more than 3.5 million specimens covering every aspect of natural history—from mammals, birds, and marine life to geology, astronomy, paleontology, and anthropology. Newly renovated in 2018, the Museum boasts state-of-the-art interactive exhibits for all ages, paired with the Central Coast’s only planetarium, on 17 acres of oak woodland along Mission Creek. Guests learn about the Santa Barbara region’s unique and diverse natural history and then go outside to explore nature in the Museum Backyard. Museum education programs serve all ages to promote scientific literacy and instill a passion for nature and learning. In 1987, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History built the Sea Center on historic Stearns Wharf to communicate the biodiversity and ecological importance of the regional ocean environment. This small aquarium and marine education facility offers guests hands-on encounters with life from the Santa Barbara Channel, including Swell Sharks, rays, sea stars, sea urchins, and anemones. On the wet deck, guests experiment like scientists by using oceanographic tools to sample the ocean and examine life below. Upstairs, guests can view mesmerizing jellies, Decorator Crabs, a California Two-Spot Octopus, soft corals, and other animals found in nearby waters. Life-size replicas of a Gray Whale mother and her calf preside over an unparalleled view of the coast towards East Beach, Montecito, and the spectacular Santa Ynez Mountains.
About the Role

Description

Title: Special Exhibits Associate: Butterfly Pavilion

Classification: Temporary, Part Time, Non-exempt 

Department: Guest Experience 

Reports To: Director of Guest Experience

Wage Band: Technical Skills Level 1

Compensation: $20.80 per hour


Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.


Position Summary: The Special Exhibits Pavilion Associate will support the Manager (s) and Operations team in a variety of tasks including engaging guests throughout campus at multiple stations or roaming positions and providing relief shifts to volunteers and fellow employees.


Specific Responsibilities:

  • Interact with visitors personably to make their visit an informative, rewarding, enjoyable experience in and out of the Butterfly Pavilion and throughout the Mission Creek Campus.
  • Provide relief shifts to Pavilion staff and volunteers, including coverage of Pavilion Entry and Exit, Host, and Roamer/Breaker positions as assigned following schedule developed by Butterfly Manager.
  • Enforce ticketing and entry procedures at the pavilion involving cash handling and the use of POS software (ticketure).
  • Assist with greeting and hosting group bookings, maintaining pavilion flow, collaborating with internal departments, and ensuring a smooth experience in coordination with the Guest Experience Manager.
  • Possesses a professional demeanor in dealing with visitors, trustees, donors, and vendors on the phone and in person.
  • Ensure proper closing of Pavilion in conjunction with Butterfly Manager(s), including clean-up of exhibit, proper disposal and/or disinfection of trash, tools and work areas.
  • Provide upkeep of Pavilion plants (following flora care plan and USDA regulations) after Pavilion closes, reporting any issues directly to the Butterfly Pavilion Manager(s).
  • Work directly with manager(s) to communicate special exhibit needs, including volunteer service and maintenance issues.
  • Become familiar with the Museum and Museum events, answer guest questions and provide accurate and helpful information to volunteers and guests. Promoting visitorship to the Museum and acting as a Museum representative at various exhibit posts.
  • Maintain a neat and orderly environment, accessible to the public. Occasional special events after normal Museum hours and additional days outside of regular schedule.
  • Ensures workspace is clean and clear of clutter consistent with Museum and department operations and safety procedures.
  • Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
  • Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for fellow staff, guests and the community.
  • Other tasks as assigned.

Essential Requirements:

  • Must be available to work Museum’s open hours, including weekends. Schedule varies between 9:30 – 5:30.
  • Comfortable working in various work environments including outdoors.
  • Must be willing to work at least one ongoing weekend shift.
  • Available transportation to and from the workplace.
  • Dependable, punctual, and reliable.
  • Ability to take on multiple roles and responsibilities.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong ability to interact with various types of individuals.
  • Strong organizational skills including an excellent ability to handle multiple tasks.
  • Able to work independently, be pro-active, and troubleshoot.
  • Comfortable handling live and dead insects and supplies like alcohol and bleach.
  • Comfortable using gardening tools and interacting with a variety of live and dead flora.

Work Environment:

  • Work outdoors in Butterfly Pavilion and throughout the Museum with frequent work throughout the Museum’s facilities (galleries, conference rooms, research laboratories, and exhibit halls.).
  • Extensive interaction with the general public.
  • Frequent repetitive movement tasks.
  • Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending and climbing stairs and ladders with frequent lifting of medium loads (25 lbs.).
  • Frequent use of chemicals (bleach, isopropyl alcohol).
  • Contact with live and deceased insects and plant materials.

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Key Skills
Customer serviceCash handlingPOS softwareInterpersonal skillsOrganizational skillsTroubleshootingGardeningExhibit maintenanceCommunicationPublic speakingSafety proceduresTime management
Categories
Customer Service & SupportScience & ResearchHospitalityEnvironmental & SustainabilityArt & Design
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