Youth Education Coordinator

Tower Hill Botanic Garden believes diversity in nature promotes a healthy, vigorous garden. We believe that diversity among our staff promotes a healthy work environment and a vigorous organization. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We believe in diversity of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ability, and all the other traits that make us unique. Tower Hill is an equal opportunity employer.

Under the direction of the Manager of Youth Education, the Youth Education Coordinator will take a lead role in developing and carrying out onsite educational programs for children and families in the Ramble and the Climate Victory Garden, Tower Hill's new children's gardens. The Coordinator is responsible for developing, teaching, and evaluating a variety of mission-related, audience focused learning experiences. This programming includes free drop-in learning experiences and resources on-site, virtual programs and pre-recorded media, and on-site field trips for families and children in grades PreK through 12. As a part of the education team, the Youth Education Coordinator assists in other areas of the department as needed to help Tower Hill achieve its mission of "creating experiences with plants that inspire people and improve the world." This is a full-time position with benefits.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and lead educational programs and lessons on gardening, ecology, botany, arboriculture, conservation, and more, on and off-site, for children in grades Pre-K to 12.

Create new dynamic activities, interactives, interpretation, curricula, and other educational tools for use in the Ramble and the Climate Victory Garden focused on topics including art, botany, gardening, environmental science, climate change, sustainability and more.

Create and implement an evaluation strategy for new and existing programs and curricula to ensure they meet Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering standards, to help improve upon existing programs and activities, and to help secure funding.

Assist with the planning and development of new programs, activities, and exhibitions including drop-in, free, and paid programs, summer camps, and school year partnerships.

Assist with the coordination and delivery of traveling programs and youth birthday parties.

Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Leadership and Interpersonal Relations

Strong organizational, time management, oral, and written communication skills.

Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships and deal tactfully with community partners, visitors, students, volunteers, instructors, and staff.

Ability to work with diverse groups and exercise cultural competence and inclusion.

Ability to work collaboratively with other departments to fulfill grant requirements.

Ability to work with the Education Outreach Coordinator to leverage existing community partnerships and identify new ones.

Assist with volunteer and per diem staff trainings, supervision, and management.

Partner regularly with the Horticulture staff to leverage the use of plant collections for programs.

Schedule

The Youth Education Coordinator is an hourly, full-time position and is non-exempt from overtime. The standard work schedule for this position is 40 hours per week. This position requires a great deal of flexibility and the ability to work on weekends and occasional evenings as needed. On and off-site work will be required.

Education and Experience

Training and at least two years of relevant work experience in education, community development, museum studies, botany, horticulture, environmental studies, related field, or equivalent experience.

Experience working with a variety of young audiences from diverse backgrounds, including school groups, PreK-12 community groups, and families.

Two years demonstrated teaching experience in a formal or informal setting and knowledge of the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering curriculum standards.

Demonstrated experience and creativity in developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs.

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and work independently.

Experience working in the non-profit sector and grant writing experience a plus.

Comfortable with the Microsoft Office suite, Microsoft Teams and web-based customer/donor relationship management tools.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions: This job operates primarily in a professional office environment and in classrooms. However, the employee will often work outdoors.

Must be able to lift 25 pounds and work outdoors in all seasonal extremes.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time

Must have a valid driver's license and be comfortable with local travel.

Must be able to work with appropriate computer and communications equipment.

Must be able to bend, squat, kneel, stand, and walk for extended periods of time and to navigate uneven grounds and stairs evenly.

Note: Duties described above, other duties and physical demands have been identified as essential functions as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In addition to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, Tower Hill Botanic Garden fosters an inclusive workplace that values each member of our team. We aspire to reflect and serve our visitors as well as the communities of Worcester County, Massachusetts, and New England.

All Tower Hill employees must be fully vaccinated (verification required) or be approved by Tower Hill as exempt for medical or religious reasons. If the employee receives this accommodation, they must be tested weekly at a site of their choosing and provide a negative PCR test result to Tower Hill. A booster is required 5 months after 2nd Moderna or Pfizer Vaccine or 60 days after Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Subsequent boosters will be required as recommended by CDC guidelines unless otherwise notified.