Youth Programs Coordinator

~ Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG) is a non-profit museum for plants and our mission is to enrich life by promoting the enjoyment of plants and the environment through beautiful gardens and educational programs. ~

Norfolk Botanical Garden is managed by the Norfolk Botanical Garden Society, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported by donations, membership dues, admissions & program fees.

Position Overview

The Norfolk Botanical Garden Youth Education Department seeks an individual who is creative, energetic, flexible and passionate about environmental education and sustainability. In all programs we strive to create an educational and fun environment for experiential learning. Must be willing to work outdoors in various weather conditions.

Essential Function:

• Plan, coordinate and facilitate youth environmental education programs.

Responsibilities

• Create, conduct and coordinate education programs correlated to Virginia Standards of Learning.
• Implement a focus on sustainability into all programs.
• Facilitate youth education group visits from arrival, to staff assignments, activity rotation, and departure for programs.
• Coordinate and conduct outreach programs offsite from Garden, including the utilization of NBG vehicles.
• Train, evaluate and supervise staff and volunteers on programs and activities.
• Serve as contact for all school marketing. Act as liaison between NBG and educational staff at other institutions.
• Organize and review all supplies.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Work as a team to book and implement birthday parties in the WOW Children’s Garden.
• Educate and engage visitors utilizing the horticultural collection of NBG. World of Wonders Children’s Garden’s themed gardens include global biome and habitat collections and fruit and vegetable display gardens.
• Oversee operations in the WOW Children’s Garden, staff interactions with visitors, daily activities, and scheduled programming.
• Communicate with other departments about safety issues and necessary repairs to the Children’s Garden amenities and features.
• Work as a team to research and implement interpretation in the Garden.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or related field required.
• Requires teaching experience and knowledge of the State Standards of Learning.
• Experience in the field of horticulture/botany, biology, gardening, natural science, or a like subject preferred.
• Professional experience teaching in a public/private school or educational non-profit institution highly preferred.
• State background check and valid driver’s license required.
• Requires ability to stand, and walk for up to 6 hours/day.
• Must be comfortable working actively outdoors for majority of the day in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Requires flexible schedule including regular weekends and some evenings.

Compensation: The Norfolk Botanical Garden offers an excellent benefits package including a health insurance plan, a 403(b)-retirement plan with a company match, a flexible time off policy, and a unique work environment. Salaries are competitive with other area non-profit institutions. Salary range for this position is $22K-$32K.

~  Affirmative action plan/equal employment opportunity (AAP/EEO) statement: NBG is committed to the principles and ideals of equal employment opportunity. It is, and shall continue to be, the policy and practice throughout NBGS to foster equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for applicants, employees, and volunteers without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status, disability status, or other protected status, if qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. ~