Job Description

Position Summary:

Children’s Education educators facilitate naturalist Outdoor Nature Walks and Interactive Indoor Guided Tours using the natural world as a lens for inquiry and phenomena-based science explorations throughout the Native Plant Garden, Thain Family Forest, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and special collections. Opportunities to observe and lead workshops based in Children’s Education facilities such as the GreenSchool and/or Edible Academy as schedules and needs allow. Educators lead school programs with the goal of student experiential learning and appreciation of the natural world. Educators organize and maintain program supplies and familiarize themselves with their informal teaching spaces on the Garden Grounds and in the Conservatory.

Additionally, this position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Facilitate naturalist Garden curriculum for preschool through eighth grade school groups (all ability levels, including children with learning differences) that utilizes inquiry- and phenomena-based teaching practices

• Participate in a professional learning community of informal science educators to build hands-on, effective teaching practices that support students to:

o Explore real world phenomena

o Think like scientists

o Learn through discussions

o Connect to lived experiences

 • Efficiently manage set-up of teaching supplies each morning, followed by the clean- up, inventory and preparation of materials each afternoon.

• Assist in ongoing assessment, experimenting and improvement of programs and Children’s Education curricula that enhances student experience.

• Solicit teacher evaluation of education programs

Qualifications:

• Must have degree in education, science, horticulture or other relevant field with background in current museum education practices that emphasize student-driven experiences, knowledge of ecosystems such as Native Plant communities, Deserts and/or Rainforests and teaching experience in informal or outdoor settings preferred. Experience and comfort facilitating programs using a variety of informal outdoor science education techniques.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and responsive decision-making skills are required.

• Ability to be flexible incorporating unique garden resources and natural phenomena in a fast-paced, dynamic and complex environment with changing schedules and teaching spaces depending on weather and time constraints.

• Outgoing and welcoming personality; responsible, punctual, professional and motivated. Prior experience and enthusiasm for working with school children. Must demonstrate a love of plants.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, traverse across the Garden landscape while teaching groups of children; work outdoors under a variety of weather conditions; be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; kneel or crouch down to plant or child level.

Baseline Work Schedule:

• Professional Learning Days (required): January 22 & 23, 2025; March 19 & 20, 2025; June 10, 2025, • Work Schedule when school is in session: 9am-1:30pm; Tuesday-Friday; October 1, 2024-June 6, 2025

Pay Rate: $25/hr

If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at HR@nybg.org

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