Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Seasonal Early Childhood Lead Instructor, Children's Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York, New York, us, 10261
Position Title:
Seasonal Early Childhood Lead Instructor, Children’s Garden
Department:
Children’s Education
Reports to:
Children’s Garden Co‑Coordinators
FLSA Status:
Part‑time Seasonal, Non‑Exempt
Compensation:
$25 per hour
Position Description Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Children’s Education programs are renowned for teaching hands‑on gardening and plant science to children. The early childhood lead instructor will guide children to learn how to grow, maintain, and harvest vegetables, herbs, and flowers; make simple recipes with garden produce; care for the environment; and explore the natural world.
The early childhood lead instructor will oversee and co‑teach the Trees and Saplings program for toddlers and their caregivers during spring and fall. The lead instructor will also develop and teach summer drop‑off programming for ages 4–5, including horticulture and bed maintenance, cleanup, lesson planning, acquiring grocery items, preparing simple snacks, and gathering and prepping program supplies. The lead instructor will also assist with other educational programming as needed.
This position is 4 days a week, 26–30 hours per week, March 17 through October 31, 2026.
During spring and fall, the schedule is Wednesday through Saturday. During summer, the schedule is Tuesday through Friday.
Schedule Mandatory Remote Onboarding:
Tuesday, March 17 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Spring and Fall March 18–June 6 and September 2–October 31
Wednesdays & Thursdays | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Saturdays | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Fridays | 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Summer
Tuesday–Friday schedule
Training: June 9–July 2 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Programs: July 7–August 14 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
August 18–28, flexible hours
Responsibilities
Design, prepare, and teach hands‑on gardening lessons to a group of 10 young children (2–4 years old) and their adult partners.
Design, prepare, and teach hands‑on gardening lessons to a group of 12 children ages 4–5 on their own.
Develop and lead supplementary enrichment activities such as seasonal cooking, nature crafts and science exploration.
Mentor two to three teen apprentices and a program assistant who assist instructors with their group.
Ensure that assigned garden plots are maintained (including planting, weeding, mulching, watering, and more).
Prepare, set up, and clean up all program materials.
Acquire, inventory, and order supplies and groceries for weekly lessons.
Assist in teaching other education programs as needed.
Qualifications
Formal or nonformal early‑childhood or elementary education experience, ideally in a classroom or outdoor setting
Comfort leading imaginative play, singing songs, cooking, and exploring nature with young children ages 2–5
Passion for plants and gardening
Horticulture experience preferred but not required
Ability to perform physical labor and work outdoors in various weather conditions
Outgoing and welcoming personality; responsible, punctual, and professional
Experience and comfort working with a diverse group of youth and staff
Willingness to incorporate constructive feedback into lesson planning, garden maintenance, and teaching practice
Flexibility to take on a variety of tasks; ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative environment
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
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 hr@bbg.org.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
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Seasonal Early Childhood Lead Instructor, Children’s Garden
Department:
Children’s Education
Reports to:
Children’s Garden Co‑Coordinators
FLSA Status:
Part‑time Seasonal, Non‑Exempt
Compensation:
$25 per hour
Position Description Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Children’s Education programs are renowned for teaching hands‑on gardening and plant science to children. The early childhood lead instructor will guide children to learn how to grow, maintain, and harvest vegetables, herbs, and flowers; make simple recipes with garden produce; care for the environment; and explore the natural world.
The early childhood lead instructor will oversee and co‑teach the Trees and Saplings program for toddlers and their caregivers during spring and fall. The lead instructor will also develop and teach summer drop‑off programming for ages 4–5, including horticulture and bed maintenance, cleanup, lesson planning, acquiring grocery items, preparing simple snacks, and gathering and prepping program supplies. The lead instructor will also assist with other educational programming as needed.
This position is 4 days a week, 26–30 hours per week, March 17 through October 31, 2026.
During spring and fall, the schedule is Wednesday through Saturday. During summer, the schedule is Tuesday through Friday.
Schedule Mandatory Remote Onboarding:
Tuesday, March 17 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Spring and Fall March 18–June 6 and September 2–October 31
Wednesdays & Thursdays | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Saturdays | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Fridays | 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Summer
Tuesday–Friday schedule
Training: June 9–July 2 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Programs: July 7–August 14 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
August 18–28, flexible hours
Responsibilities
Design, prepare, and teach hands‑on gardening lessons to a group of 10 young children (2–4 years old) and their adult partners.
Design, prepare, and teach hands‑on gardening lessons to a group of 12 children ages 4–5 on their own.
Develop and lead supplementary enrichment activities such as seasonal cooking, nature crafts and science exploration.
Mentor two to three teen apprentices and a program assistant who assist instructors with their group.
Ensure that assigned garden plots are maintained (including planting, weeding, mulching, watering, and more).
Prepare, set up, and clean up all program materials.
Acquire, inventory, and order supplies and groceries for weekly lessons.
Assist in teaching other education programs as needed.
Qualifications
Formal or nonformal early‑childhood or elementary education experience, ideally in a classroom or outdoor setting
Comfort leading imaginative play, singing songs, cooking, and exploring nature with young children ages 2–5
Passion for plants and gardening
Horticulture experience preferred but not required
Ability to perform physical labor and work outdoors in various weather conditions
Outgoing and welcoming personality; responsible, punctual, and professional
Experience and comfort working with a diverse group of youth and staff
Willingness to incorporate constructive feedback into lesson planning, garden maintenance, and teaching practice
Flexibility to take on a variety of tasks; ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative environment
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
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 hr@bbg.org.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr