Educator, Community Programs

Hccstl; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Missouri Botanical Garden seeks an instructor to support the Outdoor Youth Corps and Outdoor Leadership Corps, delivering hands‑on education and stewardship projects. You will work with community partners, mentor participants, and help operational aspects of programs across campus and outreach sites.

Ideal candidates bring experience in environmental education, field instruction, and a passion for plants, conservation, and youth development within the St. Louis community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science education or related field is required.
• Experience in environmental education and outdoor youth programs preferred.
• Knowledge of safety guidelines and field trip logistics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver environmental education lessons and stewardship activities.
• Assist in preparing and delivering community programs with partners.
• Facilitate hands‑on field experiences and youth leadership activities.
• Coordinate logistics for field trips, outreach, and program sites.
• Maintain safety standards and supervise participants during activities.

Skills

Outdoor education

Environmental education

Field work

Safety awareness

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science Education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Missouri Botanical Garden, 2345 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 6:00 AM | Expires Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 5:59 AM

Summary

Serves as the instructor by assisting with the development, delivery, and instruction of the Outdoor Youth Corps (OYC) and Outdoor Leadership Corps (OLC) programs as well as other community/youth education programs. Facilitates hands‑on stewardship projects, outdoor experiences, and career readiness while supporting program operations, logistics, and community partnerships and other needs as they arise. Participates in the Garden’s mission by connecting program participants to expand their knowledge on plants, conservation, and sustainability while making a positive impact in the St. Louis community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in creating,preparingand implementing all aspects ofOutdoor Youth Corpsand Outdoor Leadership Corpsincludinginstruction, field work,communicating and collaborating with community partners and program funders.
• Develops and deliversenvironmental education lessons, activities, and stewardship projects.
• AssiststheCommunityPrograms team through the preparation and delivery ofcommunityprograms as directed by the supervisor.
• Participates in team planning sessions with staffand program partnersto ensure well‑coordinated and effective delivery of instruction to meet learning goals andobjectives.
• Creates a positive, healthy, and safe learning environment forparticipantsthat is developmentally and culturallyappropriate.
• Implements programs primarilyat designated off‑site locations (field trips, outreach, Outdoor Youth Corps extended outdoor experiences and community events), MainGarden campus, community project sites,and may deliver programs at any of theotherGarden’ssites (The Butterfly House,Litzsinger Road Ecology Center and Shaw Nature Reserve).
• Facilitatesformal andinformal discussions withprogram participantsthat directly connect toenvironmental and plant science and sustainability.
• Mentorsprogramparticipantsinbuilding understandingof horticulture, plant science/botany, sustainability, conservation, and community engagement topics.Builds participant understanding of career readiness skills.
• Facilitates stewardship building activities thatconnectyouth participantsto the environment throughnature‑based, outdoorexperiences(such ascanoeing, hiking,,field trips).
• Acts as liaison with community partners; collaborates and communicates to develop hands‑on works projects that support OYCand OLCparticipant skill development and partnerneeds.
• Collaborates withSustainabilityDivision colleagues, Gardenstaffand area educators todevelop,evaluate or review best practices, program development, and teaching methods.
• Purchases, prepares, organizes, andmaintainsteaching,stewardship tools,fieldtripand extended trip supplies.
• Instructs andutilizesvarious tools to carry out restoration projectsat various sites across the region including but not limitedto:hand tools, power tools, herbicide equipment.
• Holds a valid MissouriCommercialPesticide Applicator license for use in controlling invasive plant species andensures compliance with state and federal regulations whenstoring, mixing, andapplying herbicide for invasive plant species control.
• Overseesprogramparticipantsandthevolunteersin thecontrol and removal of invasive plant species through the use of manual, mechanical, and/or chemical methodsunder a valid Commercial Pesticide Applicator license.
• Transportsparticipants to fieldsitesin trucks, cars, and15‑passengervans.
• Maintains databases and files ofcurrent and pastparticipantinformation, metrics data,and program photos.Assistsin collecting data and reportingfor OYC and OLCannual program summaries and grant reporting.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed (i.e., informsparticipants/ volunteers of safety guidelines and safe working practices and routinelymonitorsto enforce them).
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres toestablishedpolicies and procedures, including Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co‑workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Communication– Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration–Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability– Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes,troubleshootsand takesappropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues’ concerns.
• Problem Solving– Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor beforetaking actionas necessary; Recommends solutions,demonstratescreativity and resourcefulness;Exhibitssound andaccuratejudgment in decision making process; Includesappropriate peoplein making decisions.
• Stewardship– Promotes and adheres to sustainability,safetyand security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect,diversityand inclusion;Demonstrateseffective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Qualifications/Experience

• Minimum of (2)two-yearsexperienceworking instudent teaching, teaching, naturalist,outdoor recreation leadership, campcounseloror similar instructional experience. Experience working with high‑school students preferred.
• Minimum of (1) one-year experience working in conservation field including with invasive species removals,treeand native species planting, etc.,
• Knowledge of principles and processes ofenvironmental education,outdooradventuresandconservation techniquesrequired.
• Knowledge of native plants, plant materials, and landscape maintenance techniquesand toolsrequired.
• Experience with group leadership and educational background preferred.
• Experience in Outdoor Youth Corps, or similar program, preferred.
• Ability to work with diversehigh schoolaged students,young adults, and emerging professionals.
• Knowledge of andadherence to all health and safety guidelines.
• Must have an interest inoutdoors, ecology, and environmental issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with a team in preparing materials or lessons and in sharingexpertisein science and teaching.
• Use of personal car maybe requiredtopurchasesupplies and food;occasionally travel to schoolsand community worksiteswithin Missouri and Illinois surrounding areas. Travel required<25%.
• Scheduling flexibility and the ability to work overtime as neededtoworksome overnights, evenings, and weekends.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees,volunteersand guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skills and / abilities required

Education

• Bachelor’s degreerequiredwith an emphasis on Science, Education, Science Education, Ecology,Recreation, and outdooreducationrequired.
• An equivalent combination of skills,education,and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in navigating through the Internet and other PC applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite 2010, (i.e Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Publisher).

Language Skills

• Ability to effectively communicate in English(oral and written).

Mathematical Skills

• Proficient basic mathaptitude;requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, calculate percentages and decimals, etc.

Reasoning Ability

• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must be able to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with class E certification.
• Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.

Physical Demands

• Ability to walk up to three miles on uneven terrain, on and off trails.
• Ability to work outdoors; with unavoidable variations in temperature and some uncomfortable conditions (i.e.wet, mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers,etc).
• Flexible scheduling and overtime as needed to workovernightsduring the week, on weekends, and evening hours.
• May berequiredto perform tasks at varying heights (i.e.step stools, etc.).
• Able tolift up to (50) pounds (i.e., load, unload and move supplies and equipment).
• Must be able to drive a 15‑passenger van and a heavy‑duty truck to and from worksites.
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, etc.).
• Inside classroom and outside at various garden sites and off‑site locations.
• Classroom and outside instruction at schools, fieldwork, or informal institution sites.
• Quiet indoor office setting, shared office space with the Community Programs Supervisor.
• Work outdoors, with unavoidable variations in temperature (100F or more and less than 32F) and some uncomfortable conditions (i.e.humidity, rain, snow, mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers,etc).

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden

• Sustainability Division colleagues and volunteers.
• Employees throughout the Garden.
• High school and college students,,, and parents.
• Local environmental/green professionals and community partner organizations.

Missouri Botanical Garden, 2345 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America