Instructor, Therapeutic Horticulture Programs

Missouri Botanical Garden; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Missouri Botanical Garden is seeking a Therapeutic Horticulture Program Instructor to develop, prepare and facilitate community and garden programs for adults and children in healthcare, senior living and social service settings.

The role focuses on process-oriented activities, safety standards, and collaboration with Garden staff to meet program goals. Travel across Missouri and Illinois is required, with occasional on-site work at the Garden.

Qualifications

• Three to five years' experience facilitating nature-based programs.
• Strong organizational, therapeutic, educational and horticultural skills with knowledge of plants and plant management.
• Bachelor's or Associate degree in horticulture or related area; Certification in horticultural therapy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops and delivers quality, engaging therapeutic horticulture programs that focus on the process.
• Coordinates with client goals and safety guidelines.
• Delivers programs primarily in the St Louis community with some delivery at the Garden.
• Maintains program supplies and equipment.
• Collaborates with staff to set goals and evaluate post-session outcomes.
• Ensures safety guidelines are followed and reports incidents.
• Travels to organizations and facilities in Missouri and Illinois for program delivery.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Accountability

Problem Solving

Stewardship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or related field

Associate's degree in Horticulture or related area

Certification in Horticultural Therapy preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Summary

Therapeutic Horticulture Program Instructor's primary responsibility is to develop, prepare and facilitate therapeutic horticulture programs in the community and at the Garden. The target population for this position are adults and children in the healthcare community, the senior living community, and social service agencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops, prepares and delivers quality, engaging therapeutic horticulture programs that focus on the process and not the end result.
• Provides nature-focused activities that coordinate with the organization or facilities' client goals.
• Delivers programs primarily in the St Louis community with some delivery of programs at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
• Assists with creating, procuring and maintaining program supplies.
• Creates in partnership with the organization's staff, client goals and evaluation notes post-session. Participates in team planning sessions with staff to ensure a well‑coordinated and effective session and that program objectives/goals will be met.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines and safe working practices and routinely monitors to enforce them. Adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near‑miss accidents immediately.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• 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.
• Travels through the use of personal vehicle to organizations and facilities in Missouri and Illinois.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies

• Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
• Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus.
• Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
• Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
• Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.

Qualifications/Experience

• Minimum of three to five years' experience working with a variety of populations facilitating nature-based programs.
• Strong organizational, therapeutic, educational and horticultural skills with demonstrated knowledge of plants and plant management practices and the ability to successfully adapt to diverse conditions and participant abilities.
• Prior experience working in a cultural institution preferred.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and 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, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Horticultural Therapy, or related degree OR Associate's Degree in Horticulture or related area required; Certification in Horticultural Therapy preferred.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Other Skills and Abilities

N/A.

Language Ability

Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written).

Reasoning Ability

Completes tasks with minor guidance to coordinate meeting times, set deadlines, and complete projects in a timely manner.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in navigating through the Internet, and various PC applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite 2003 (i.e., PowerPoint, Excel and Word) or a similar application.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must be able to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.
• Must be willing to submit to testing and background checks required by the state of Missouri in order to enter classrooms and/or work with children at MBG sites.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and move about MBG facilities or classrooms for extended periods of time, 50 - 80% or more of a typical workday is standing on feet (e.g., extensive standing, walking, reaching and stooping).
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).
• Able to lift up to (30) pounds (i.e., load, unload and move supplies and equipment).
• Ability to work exposed to outside weather conditions often and as needed.
• Must be able to work in high heat/humidity.

Work Environment

• Classroom and outside instruction in the Garden.
• Local travel required.
• Flexibility in scheduling as needed, for weekend, evening or holiday work.
• Climate controlled buildings.
• Shared office space.
• Work outdoors in temperatures of (100F or more), humid conditions, as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions and some uncomfortable conditions (i.e. wet, mosquitoes) as needed.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden

• Clients/students.
• Education Division colleagues.
• Employees throughout the Garden.
• Garden education volunteers.
• Diverse slate of visitors to the Garden, both children and adults.

Supervisor: Supervisor, Therapeutic Horticulture