MN Arboretum - Festival Lead

About the Job
Spark connections to the plant to plate story for event participants at the Farm at the Arb
through real life hands-on learning and engagement. Join a fast paced, deadline driven summer
team focusing on high engagement with fellow team members and festival goers.

This summer position is 100% In person at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN. (Tuesday-Saturday).

Position Description
The Farm at the Arb Festival Lead is a 40 hours/week summer position from June 1-
November 1 (23 weeks). This position supports, coordinates, and produces the Farm at the Arb
Summer Season large-scale education programming. The schedule will include weekday and
weekend work shifts. The primary role is to set and meet high quality expectations for festival
visitors attending Farm at the Arb educational events. Hourly rate is $23.34 /hour

Key tasks include pre-event organizing, event set up, delivery, and take down. In addition, this
position will focus on deliverables/expectations for event stakeholders including internal and
external Farm at the Arb partners and groups. Other duties may be assigned.

* 100% Coordinate, organize, and execute six to eight drop-in educational Farm events
* Event set up, execution, tear down
* Coordinate with Arboretum teams to schedule gate logistics, parking, security,
catering and maintenance
* Create and distribute event handouts, directional signage, wayfinding, and
other details for guests
* Organize, schedule and supervise volunteer teams to assist with all event
functions including welcoming, guest interactions, set up, tear down, and other
event details
* Welcome and orient event partner organizations, sponsors, educational display
partners and others
* Schedule and manage relationships with vendors, Food Trucks, Caterers,
Breweries, Musicians

This position reports directly to the Farm at the Arb Ag External Relations and Engagement
Manager.

Visa Language: Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Bargaining unit consideration begins on 5/14/2026 and ends on 5/21/2026

Required Qualifications
* High school diploma or equivalent and two years of related office and administrative experience.
* Experience successfully setting up, hosting, and breakdown of events/celebrations in a
non-profit or business setting
* Experience prioritizing and completing complex task lists on a deadline
* Valid MN driver's license and qualifying for low risk insurance
* Experience providing positive customer service
* Experience communicating via email, text and in-person
* Ability to lift 25 pounds

Preferred Qualifications
* Interest in the food system and sharing the plant to plate story with others
* Experience with basic graphic design/sign making
* Familiarity with Google Apps and Google Drive
* Experience working with events with 500 plus attendees such as; community
celebrations, church events, town days, food related celebrations, etc.

About the Department
What is the Farm at the Arb?

* The Arboretum's Farm at the Arb connects people with the food they eat through
interpretive exhibits highlighting Minnesota-grown crops, fruits and vegetables,
including Minnesota introductions such as the Honeycrisp apple!

* It's built at the site of a restored dairy barn that plays host to events, but also includes
interpretive signage about the farms earlier days.

* Displays include vegetable gardens, as well as fields of soybeans, canola, sugar
beets, corn and newer crops, like Kernza.

* The Farm at the Arb's apprenticeship program provides hands-on technical training to
adults who want to go into careers in local food production for sale or community
health.

* What can the Farm do for our partners?
Partnering with Farm at the Arb deepens consumer knowledge and engagement
while gaining brand exposure and customized consumer feedback for grower,
corporate and ag organizations. Each year we invite them to be a part of our
customized activities and programs to engage both farmers and non-farming
visitors. Farm education events set the stage for attendees to develop a deeper
connection between agricultural professionals and consumers to explain and
explore the future of farming in our state. Through our partnership, we hope to
teach the public about modern day Ag and introduce visitors to farmers. Farm at
the Arb Education events are aligned with a set of key messages/learning
objectives and outcomes. These messages are brought to our audiences through
experiences and participation in activities at the Farm during our events.

* The Farm at the Arb was strategically created to build connections between the
non-farming public and target audience channels. The Farm is positioned to be a
platform for telling the "Plant to Plate" story using science-based information about food
and agriculture. We use our pillars* of experts to engage to build awareness with our
audience channels.

Pay Range: $23.34; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Please attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.