GreenSchool Educator

The-New-York-Botanical-Garden; New York (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

The New York Botanical Garden in New York, NY, seeks a GreenSchool Educator to lead cross-disciplinary workshops for Pre-K through 8th grade using plant-based inquiry. You will engage students with phenomena-based teaching, organize supplies, and support experiential learning in the Conservatory and outdoor exhibits.

You will collaborate with informal educators, participate in ongoing assessment, and contribute to a welcoming learning environment for diverse children.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree and familiarity with museum education practices emphasizing student-driven learning; strong plant science preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and responsive decision-making skills.
• Able to work in all weather conditions and adapt to changing schedules and spaces.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate workshops and tours for Pre-kindergarten through 8th grade school groups using NYBG curriculum.
• Participate in a professional learning community to build hands-on teaching practices.
• Organize and maintain program supplies, plants, and classroom space.
• Set up teaching supplies each morning and prepare materials in the afternoon.
• Assess programs through peer observations and reflections; collect teacher evaluations.

Skills

Communication

Teaching

Adaptability

Education

Undergraduate degree

Job description

GreenSchool Educator

GreenSchool offers cross-disciplinary workshops and tours using plants as a lens for inquiry and science explorations for school groups. Educators facilitate programs in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and across the Garden outdoor seasonal exhibitions with the goal of student experiential learning and appreciation of the natural world.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Use NYBG curriculum to facilitate workshops and tours for Pre-kindergarten through 8th grade school groups (all ability levels, including children with learning differences) using inquiry and phenomena-based teaching practices.
• Participate in a professional learning community of informal science educators to build hands-on, effective practices that support students’ abilities to explore real world phenomena.
• Organize and maintain program supplies, plants, and classroom space.
• Set-up teaching supplies each morning, followed by the cleanup, inventory and preparation of materials each afternoon.
• Participate in on-going assessment of programs; including reflecting on practice through peer observations and experimenting with methods that improve lesson plans and enhance student experience.
• Collect teacher evaluation of programs.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree and demonstrated familiarity of current museum education practices that emphasize student-driven learning experiences. Strong plant science (ecology, botany, or horticulture), or a self-starter with teaching experience in informal settings preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, and responsive decision-making skills are required.
• Able to work in all weather conditions and traverse long distances. Must be flexible and adaptable in the face of changing schedules, program teaching spaces and time constraints. Must be adept at incorporating unique museum resources in a complex and fast-paced environment.
• Outgoing and welcoming personality; responsible, punctual, and motivated. Prior experience and enthusiasm for working with schoolchildren.

Physical Demand & Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, walk; sit; use hands, handle tools, use motorized/heavy equipment, climb ladders, reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Work outdoors under a variety of weather conditions. Work under low, moderate or loud work conditions.
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Work Schedule

• This is a temporary part-time position anticipated to run from September 21, 2026, through June 11, 2027.
• The standard work schedule is Tuesday through Friday, 9 AM to 1:30 PM.
  • Must be available for professional learning days in the following dates from 9 AM to 2 PM
    • September 2026: 9/23, 9/24, and 9/29
    • January 2027: 1/20 and 1/21
    • March 2027: 3/17 and 3/18
    • June 2027: 6/8

Rate

• $25.75 per hour

If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at [e-mail]