Seasonal Education Instructor, Early Childhood Fellow

Position Title: Seasonal Education Instructor, Early Childhood Fellow

Department: Education

Reports to: Children’s Garden Co-Coordinators

FLSA Status: Part-time Seasonal, Non-Exempt

Compensation: $22 per hour

Position Description:

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Children’s Education programs are renowned for teaching hands-on gardening and plant science to young people. Children’s Garden education fellows spend the growing season (spring–summer–fall) in BBG’s Children’s Garden, teaching children to grow, harvest, and cook their own food, care for the environment, and explore the natural world.

Early childhood fellows teach age-appropriate gardening lessons to 11 young children with the help of two to three teen apprentices from our Garden Apprentice Program during the summer season. During spring and fall, early childhood fellows co-teach hands-on gardening lessons to a group of 10 young children (2–4 years old) and their adult partners. Prior to each teaching season, fellows participate in a comprehensive paid training program, covering seasonal content, pedagogy, and horticultural skills.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is looking to hire two early childhood fellows to teach in our Children’s Garden. This is a seasonal position from March 17 to October 31, 2026. The commitment is 18 hours per week in the spring and fall, and 22–30 hours per week in the summer. During spring and fall, the schedule is Wednesday–Saturday. During summer, the schedule is Tuesday–Friday.

Schedule:

Mandatory Onboarding and Training:

• Tuesday, March 17 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (Remote Onboarding)
• Wednesdays, March 18 & 25 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Thursdays, March 19 & 26 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
• Fridays, March 20 & 27 | 2–6 p.m.
• Saturdays, March 21 & 28 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Spring:

• Wednesdays, April 1–May 20 | 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Thursdays, April 2 – May 21 | 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Fridays, April 3–June 5 | 2–6 p.m
• Saturdays, April 4–June 6 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

No work shifts May 23 and 24

Summer:

• Tuesday–Friday schedule June 9–August 14
• Training: June 9–July 2 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
• Programs: July 7–August 14 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

No work shifts August 15–September 1

Fall:

• Fall training date: Thursday, September 3 | 9 a.m.–4p.m.
  • Fridays, September 4–October 30 | 2–6 p.m.
  • Saturdays, September 5–October 31 | 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays, September 9–October 21 | 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Thursdays, September 10–October 22 | 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Responsibilities:

• Lead an age-based group (ages 4–5) of 11 children in hands-on gardening instruction in a half-acre food garden.
• Assist and co-teach hands-on gardening lessons to a group of 10 young children (2–4 years old) and their adult partners.
• Mentor two to three teen apprentices and a program assistant who assist instructors with their group.
• Develop age- and seasonally appropriate lesson plans and lead supplementary enrichment activities, such as seasonal cooking, nature crafts, nature exploration, or science experiments.
• Ensure that assigned garden plots are maintained according to weekly task lists (including planting, weeding, mulching, watering, and more).
• Lead activity stations for Family Gardening Hours, a program for children of all ages and adult caregivers.
• Assist in teaching other education programs as needed.

Qualifications:

• Formal or nonformal early-childhood or elementary education experience, ideally in a classroom or outdoor setting
• Comfort with imaginative play, singing songs, cooking, and exploring nature with young children
• Passion for plants and gardening
• Horticulture experience preferred but not required
• Ability to perform physical labor and work outdoors in various weather conditions
• Outgoing and welcoming personality; responsible, punctual, and professional
• Experience and comfort working with a diverse group of youth and staff
• Willingness to incorporate constructive feedback into lesson planning, garden maintenance, and teaching practice
• Flexibility to take on a variety of tasks; ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative environment

Benefits:

BBG offers certain benefits to part-time employees including:

• • Up to 56 hours of sick 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

To be considered for this position, please submit an application by clicking Apply below. Applications submitted without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered.

No telephone calls for position inquiries, please. Applicants with disabilities who need assistance with the online system, or who may require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, should contact Human Resources at [email protected].

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