Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Seasonal Education Instructor, Children's Garden Fellow
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York, New York, us, 10261
Position Title:
Seasonal Education Instructor, Children’s Garden Fellow
Department:
Education
Reports to:
Children’s Garden Co‑coordinators
FLSA Status:
Part‑time Seasonal, Non‑Exempt
Compensation:
$23 per hour
Position Description Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Children’s Education programs are renowned for teaching hands‑on gardening and plant science to young people. Children’s Garden education fellows spend the growing season (spring–summer–fall) in BBG’s Children’s Garden, teaching children to grow, harvest, and cook their own food, care for the environment, and explore the natural world.
Fellows teach age‑appropriate gardening lessons to a group of 12 children with the help of two to three teen apprentices from our Garden Apprentice Program. Prior to each teaching season, fellows participate in a comprehensive paid training program, covering seasonal content, pedagogy, and horticultural skills.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is looking to hire five Children’s Garden fellows to teach in our Children’s Garden. This is a seasonal position from March 17 to October 31, 2026. The commitment is 10 hours per week in the spring and fall, and 22–30 hours per week in the summer. During spring and fall, the schedule is Friday and Saturday. During summer, the schedule is Tuesday through Friday.
Schedule Mandatory Onboarding and Training:
Tuesday, March 17 | 9 a.m. –1 p.m. (Remote Onboarding)
Thursdays, March 19 & 26 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Fridays, March 20 & 27 | 2–6 p.m.
Saturdays, March 21 & 28 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Spring:
Fridays, April 3–June 5 | 2–6 p.m.
Saturdays, April 5–June 6 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
No work shifts May 23 and 24
Summer:
Tuesday–Friday schedule from June 9 through August 14
Training: June 9–July 2 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Programs: July 7–August 14 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
No work shifts August 15–September 1
Fall:
Fall training date: Thursday, September 3 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fridays, September 4–October 30 | 2–6 p.m.
Saturdays, September 5–October 31 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Responsibilities
Lead an age‑based group (ages 6–7, 8–10, or 11–13) of 12 children in hands‑on gardening instruction in a half‑acre food garden.
Mentor two to three teen apprentices and program assistant who assist instructors with their group.
Develop age‑ and seasonally appropriate lesson plans and lead supplementary enrichment activities, such as seasonal cooking, nature crafts, nature exploration, or science experiments.
Ensure that assigned garden plots are maintained according to weekly task lists (including planting, weeding, mulching, watering, and more).
Lead activity stations for Family Gardening Hours, a program for children of all ages and adult caregivers.
Assist in teaching other education programs as needed.
Qualifications
Formal or nonformal experience teaching children, ideally in a classroom or outdoor setting.
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
Application 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 hr@bbg.org.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Seasonal Education Instructor, Children’s Garden Fellow
Department:
Education
Reports to:
Children’s Garden Co‑coordinators
FLSA Status:
Part‑time Seasonal, Non‑Exempt
Compensation:
$23 per hour
Position Description Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Children’s Education programs are renowned for teaching hands‑on gardening and plant science to young people. Children’s Garden education fellows spend the growing season (spring–summer–fall) in BBG’s Children’s Garden, teaching children to grow, harvest, and cook their own food, care for the environment, and explore the natural world.
Fellows teach age‑appropriate gardening lessons to a group of 12 children with the help of two to three teen apprentices from our Garden Apprentice Program. Prior to each teaching season, fellows participate in a comprehensive paid training program, covering seasonal content, pedagogy, and horticultural skills.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is looking to hire five Children’s Garden fellows to teach in our Children’s Garden. This is a seasonal position from March 17 to October 31, 2026. The commitment is 10 hours per week in the spring and fall, and 22–30 hours per week in the summer. During spring and fall, the schedule is Friday and Saturday. During summer, the schedule is Tuesday through Friday.
Schedule Mandatory Onboarding and Training:
Tuesday, March 17 | 9 a.m. –1 p.m. (Remote Onboarding)
Thursdays, March 19 & 26 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Fridays, March 20 & 27 | 2–6 p.m.
Saturdays, March 21 & 28 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Spring:
Fridays, April 3–June 5 | 2–6 p.m.
Saturdays, April 5–June 6 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
No work shifts May 23 and 24
Summer:
Tuesday–Friday schedule from June 9 through August 14
Training: June 9–July 2 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Programs: July 7–August 14 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
No work shifts August 15–September 1
Fall:
Fall training date: Thursday, September 3 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fridays, September 4–October 30 | 2–6 p.m.
Saturdays, September 5–October 31 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Responsibilities
Lead an age‑based group (ages 6–7, 8–10, or 11–13) of 12 children in hands‑on gardening instruction in a half‑acre food garden.
Mentor two to three teen apprentices and program assistant who assist instructors with their group.
Develop age‑ and seasonally appropriate lesson plans and lead supplementary enrichment activities, such as seasonal cooking, nature crafts, nature exploration, or science experiments.
Ensure that assigned garden plots are maintained according to weekly task lists (including planting, weeding, mulching, watering, and more).
Lead activity stations for Family Gardening Hours, a program for children of all ages and adult caregivers.
Assist in teaching other education programs as needed.
Qualifications
Formal or nonformal experience teaching children, ideally in a classroom or outdoor setting.
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
Application 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 hr@bbg.org.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr