What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nature Camp Educator position at New York Botanical Garden?
Position Summary
The Nature Camp Educator leads a group of up to 18 Pre-K through Kindergarten in sensory play, nature crafts and explorations of the New York Botanical Garden grounds during a 3-week nature camp, 9am-3pm. Establish a safe, fun and engaging environment for campers to learn together. Develop and lead active, experiential science and nature programs and activities as per the curriculum and collaborate with camp staff team to lead activities in the classroom or picnic area and throughout the NYBG landscape. Supervise and mentor 2 Camp Explainers (paid teens) on daily responsibilities and duties.
This position is for Pre-K(4) and Kindergarten. Candidates must have experience working with specified age group in an outdoor, informal, experiential education setting.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist with planning and coordinating daily and weekly camp schedule, including independently developing, planning and implementing outdoor science/nature based lessons for the campers based on curriculum.
- Support Explainers in their role of supporting campers with daily tasks; i.e. helping campers keep track of personal items, participate in large and small group activities, and escorting small groups of students to the restroom.
- Build strong relationships with Campers and Camp staff
- Support Camp Staff to facilitate safe and orderly daily drop-off and pick-up events that include sign-in, sign out.
- Maintain close communication with Camp staff to mitigate safety, behavioral and scheduling issues
- Must be able to commit to actively participating in orientation/training/prep, June 16-27, 2025, 9am-5pm and leading 3 weeks of camp: June 30-July18(no camp July 4) (entering grades PreK-Kindergarten) OR July 28-August 15 (entering Pre-K-Kindergarten) 8am-4pm schedule
Qualifications
Outgoing and friendly with excellent oral communications skills essential. Candidate must have experience teaching outdoors with groups of children with varied learning needs as well as relevant student age group experience based on position. Candidate must be responsible, punctual, professional, motivated, self-starter and able to mentor others. A background in science, education and/or museum studies required. Candidate must be willing to work outdoors in all types of weather and have experience teaching engaging inquiry-based lessons with live plants and living organisms. Foreign language is helpful but not essential.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, traverse across the Garden landscape while teaching groups of children; work outdoors under a variety of weather conditions; be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; kneel or crouch down to plant or child level.
Baseline Work Schedule:
Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm or 8am – 4pm
Temporary Part Time Position
Pay Rate : $25/hr - $28/hr
If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at HR@nybg.org.
EOE/BIPOC/F/Persons with disabilities/Veterans
EOE/BIPOC/F/Persons with disabilities/Veterans
Salary : $25 - $28
