Reports to:     Education Manager
Status:             Non–Exempt
Schedule:      Full-time, seasonal, Monday through Friday, May 28 to August 16, 2024

Position Summary

With support from the education team, the Summer Education Instructor organizes and leads day-to-day activities of the Botanical Garden Summer Camp Program. This position also assists the education team in delivering youth tours and other education programs during the summer. Check out our Summer Camp Programs here! 

Primary Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and perform other duties as assigned. 

• • Lead and teach camp activities and lessons for seven weeks of summer camp at the Botanical Garden. 
  • Oversee teen volunteer camp assistants in partnership with the education team.  
  • Take primary responsibility for the supervision and safety of campers during camp weeks. 
  • Comply with all safety policies and procedures of the Botanical Garden. 
  • Establish a positive relationship with all program participants and serve as a role model for campers. 
  • Work in collaboration with the education team to update and develop camp curriculum and lesson plans. 
  • Greet and engage with families and campers to provide meaningful and positive experiences. 
  • Effectively monitor camper behavior and demonstrate the ability to use appropriate decision-making skills. 
  • Demonstrate the ability to work with youth of different ages and skill levels. 
  • Maintain summer camp program spaces, set-up, storage, and inventory of supplies and materials. 
  • Demonstrate enthusiasm and a positive attitude for teaching. 
  • Communicate effectively and respectfully with program participants, staff, volunteers, and the general public. 
  • Support and assist the education team in the development and delivery of other youth education programming, such as guided and unguided field trips. 
  • Support the education team in other program areas and special events as needed. 

Success Factors

In conjunction with position-related skills, the successful candidate will become an integral member of the Botanical Garden team with these criteria:

• • Collaborate with Botanical Garden team members in order to achieve successful outcomes for education programming with respect to utilizing space, marketing, plant collections, and other shared resources. 
  • Serve as part of a cross-departmental team that delivers a superior guest experience, drives membership, and promotes the Botanical Garden mission and offerings at special events and outreach opportunities. 
  • Develop, maintain, and promote positive and professional relationships with internal staff, volunteers, members, vendors, contractors, media, and the general public in order to achieve departmental and organizational goals. 
  • Maintain a commitment to, and ability to convey, the Botanical Garden’s mission with genuine passion, and the willingness to continually learn about the programs and mission. 

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for this position.       

Education and Experience

• • Bachelor’s degree or in pursuit of a degree in science education, botany, biology, horticulture, or related field of study is preferred. 
  • Minimum one year of experience working with youth. 
  • Experience teaching and delivering programs, public tours, and/or public speaking. 
  • Experience in curriculum and/or program development for multi-age audiences is preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• • High level of organization, time management, flexibility, and ability to handle situations in a professional manner. 
  • Comfortable engaging and working with youth of different ages. 
  • Ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team. 
  • Knowledge of youth development, different learning styles, and behavior management. 
  • Ability to interact in an appropriate and professional manner with the general public, staff, and volunteers. 
  • Knowledge of rudimentary plant science, gardening, horticulture, and the natural world. 
  • Ability to lead groups of youth and work independently. 

Licenses and Certifications

• • Must possess a valid State of Iowa Driver’s License (or obtain within one month).  
  • Must possess current CPR, First Aid, and AED certification, or be willing to obtain. 

Work Environment and Physical Demands 

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• • Continuous communication and/or interaction with staff, volunteers, visitors, and management. 
  • Occasional evening, weekend, and/or holiday work may be required to deliver programs or to provide staff support to events. 
  • Occasional bending, stooping, reaching, crouching, or light lifting (up to 50 lbs.). 
  • Prolonged periods of standing, walking, or delivering programs in varying environmental conditions. 
  • Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand, and finger dexterity including the ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read technical information. 

Revision Date: January 2024