Seasonal Education Instructor, School Programs

CL 4c9d52fc 95bb 4695 86c6 020a9244f791; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 25,003 - 35,610; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

NYC Protected Time-Off

Short-term disability/New York Paid Family Leave

Free Garden admission for employee plus one guest

Employee discount at retail shop and food venues

Job summary

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is seeking a Seasonal Education Instructor for school programs focused on botany and plant ecology. The role involves teaching various classes and engaging with students from pre-K to 12th grade.

This part-time, per diem role offers flexible hours, with a preference for three to four days of availability per week, starting at 9 a.m. The ideal candidate must have teaching experience, especially with plants, and must be comfortable working outdoors.

Benefits include paid leave and free museum admissions, making this a rewarding position for educators in the New York area.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of formal or non-formal teaching experience required.
• Experience with teaching plants indoors and outdoors is essential.
• Experience engaging special needs populations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Teach pre-K through 12th-grade classes in various settings.
• Communicate in-person tour logistics among team members.
• Set up and clean up lesson materials.

Skills

Formal or non-formal teaching experience

Experience teaching with plants or related science

Engagement with special needs populations

Ability to work outdoors in all weather

Job description

Position Title

Seasonal Education Instructor, School Programs

Department

Education

Reports to

School Workshops Coordinator

FLSA Status

Part‑time Seasonal, Non‑exempt

Term

September 25, 2026 – June 4, 2027

Compensation

$22 per hour

Available Position

17

Application Deadline

July 31st, 2026

Position Description

Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) is seeking part‑time, per diem, seasonal instructors for school programs at the Garden. Programs for grades pre‑K through 12 include small‑group guided tours on‑site at the Garden. Topics focus on botany, ethnobotany, gardens, conservation, and plant ecology, and make use of BBG’s plant collections to support the science curriculum of public and nonpublic schools.

Responsibilities

• Teach pre‑K through 12th-grade classes in person with whole‑class and small groups in classrooms, Education Greenhouse, and on Garden tours.
• Communicate in‑person tour logistics among team members.
• Assist staff with preparing materials.
• Set up lesson materials and clean up after each lesson.
• Check and respond to emails in a timely manner.
• Attend onsite professional development sessions.
• Assist with other educational programs/events for varying ages as needed.

Work Schedule

• Flexible per diem schedule, depending on instructor availability and program registrations: three to five hours per day, two to four days per week. Tuesday‑Friday starting at 9 a.m. Three to four days of availability per week is preferable.

Qualifications

• Two years’ formal or non‑formal teaching experience
• Experience teaching with plants (or other related science teaching) indoors and outdoors
• Experience engaging with special needs populations and/or students who are English language learners a plus
• Willingness to work outside in all weather

Workspace

Work takes place in the Administrative Building at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, classroom spaces, the Education Greenhouse, the BBG Conservatory and outdoor grounds, and a desk and computer in an open‑plan office space.

Benefits

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

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

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