Position Title: Seasonal GAP Summer Instructor

Department: Children’s Education

Reports to: Garden Apprentice Program Co-coordinators

FLSA Status: Part-time Seasonal, Non-exempt

Compensation: $22 per hour

Training: Tuesday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | June 9–26

Program: Tuesday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | July 7–August 14

Position Description:

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Children’s Education programs are world-renowned for teaching hands-on gardening and plant science to children and teens. The Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) is a youth development program for teens in grades 9–12 who are interested in plants, science, and environmental education. All GAP Instructors must participate in an intensive three-week paid orientation and lesson plan development program in June prior to working with apprentices in their summer program.

Primary Responsibilities:

Assist with the implementation of the GAP summer program, including program development, facilitation, and cleanup.
Develop and teach lessons for a group of 12 to 15 teens on topics such as research skills, public speaking, horticulture, and science.
Supervise and mentor apprentices as they work in placements throughout the Garden.
Assist teens with horticulture and cooking sessions in the Children’s Garden.
Develop and teach courses on current environmental issues, science research, and more.
Design and lead team-building exercises and enrichment activities.
Lead field trips to farms, gardens, and other cultural institutions within New York City.
Mentor and collaborate with a program assistant (a recent GAP alum working on staff).
Perform other related duties or special projects as directed.

Qualifications:

2 years’ experience or studies in education, urban agriculture, nutrition, botany, or environmental or biological sciences
Experience teaching teens
Experience and comfort working with youth and staff from diverse backgrounds
Strong research and presentation skills
Gardening experience preferred
Willingness to work outside in all weather

Benefits:

BBG offers certain benefits to part-time employees including:
1. NYC Protected Time-Off: up to 56 hours of paid leave and 32 hours of unpaid leave
2. 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
Free Garden admission for employee plus one guest
Employee discount at BBG’s retail shop and food venues

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 [email protected]. 

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