Seasonal Discovery Garden Lead Instructor - New York, United States - Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Description

Job Description

Position Title: Seasonal Discovery Garden Lead Instructor

Department: Discovery Garden

Reports to: Discovery Garden Coordinator, Manager of Discovery Garden & Family Programs

FLSA Status: Part-time Seasonal, Non-exempt

Compensation: $22 per hour

Term: Early/Mid May 2024–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 spring, summer, and fall seasons, and 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.
• 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
• Knowledge of a second language (especially Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, or Fula) a plus

Schedule:

This is a seasonal position from April 16 to November 22, 2024. Lead instructors will work up to 35 hours per week, with a weekly schedule of Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Benefits:

• BBG offers certain benefits to part-time employees including:
  • Up to 56 hours of sick leave
  • Short-term disability/New York Paid Family Leave
• As a 501(c)3, BBG is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer
• Museum Pass, which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for free

To be considered for this position, please submit an application by clicking Apply below. Applications submitted without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered.

No telephone calls for position inquiries, please. Applicants with disabilities who need assistance with the online system, or who may require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, should contact Human Resources at

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.