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Form of workJob Description
Position Title: Seasonal Discovery Garden Lead Instructor
Department: Education/Interpretation
Reports to: Discovery Garden Coordinator, Manager of Discovery Garden & Family Programs
FLSA Status: Part-time Seasonal, Non-exempt
Compensation: $22 per hour
Term: February 13–November 22, 2024
Position Description:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Discovery Garden staff provide hands-on nature education for children of all ages and their caregivers, connecting our diverse community with the natural world. The Lead Instructors facilitate and support education programming for visiting families, schools, and camp groups and assist the coordinator and manager in developing engaging program content, managing materials and logistics, and training/mentoring the adult volunteers and teen apprentices who engage with visitors at program stations. The Lead Instructors will independently oversee weekend drop-in programs for families during the summer and fall seasons, as well as support exhibits and horticultural displays as needed.
Responsibilities:
- Plan, oversee, and support drop-in Discovery Garden programs for families and children of all ages. Discovery Programs include First Discoveries (for toddlers & their caregivers) and Discovery Carts (for families and school/camp groups). Program activities are hands-on experiences with nature, science, and gardening that often include art and play.
- Train, mentor, and support adult volunteers and teen apprentices who lead Discovery Program stations. This includes communication, tracking attendance, and independently developing training materials and lessons for teens and adults.
- Uphold an inclusive, antiracist environment for our diverse visitors, volunteers, teens, and staff. This ensures that visits to the Discovery Garden are safe, welcoming, and engaging.
- Plan and facilitate Con Edison’s STEM Days Out programming for middle school students.
- Collaborate with Garden staff to develop inclusive, accessible programming for Discovery Garden Early Opening events and training for children and families of all abilities.
- Track attendance and evaluate program and exhibit effectiveness.
- Clean and reset Discovery Garden interactive exhibits daily.
- Assist with watering, horticulture, and exhibit repairs as needed.
- Assist manager and coordinator with special projects throughout the season as needed.
- Support other Education department programs as needed.
Qualifications:
- Two to three years’ career experience and/or educational background in early childhood learning, child development, or family programming; experience with environmental education and/or informal education a plus
- Enthusiasm for science and the natural world; knowledge of plant science and gardening a plus
- Confidence supervising, teaching, and mentoring adult volunteers and teen apprentices
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team (exercising punctuality, reliability, flexibility, and collaboration)
- Strong communication and organization skills
- Competency with Microsoft Office applications
- Willingness to work outdoors every day in various weather conditions and perform physical tasks
- Bachelor’s degree in education or environmental science preferred
