Company description

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an urban botanic garden that connects people to the world of plants, fostering delight and curiosity while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the environment.

Job description

Position Title: Children’s Programs Seasonal Instructor
Compensation: $22 per hour
Term: June 8–August 9 or 14, 2026 (depending on program)
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday; 25–35 hours/week (depending on program)

Position Description:

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Children’s Education programs are world-renowned for teaching hands-on gardening and plant science to children and teens. The Junior Botanist and Plant Investigator (JBPI) program is for rising 5th through 8th grade students selected from Title I schools in Brooklyn that have partnered with BBG during the school year through our Project Green Reach outreach program. The Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) is a youth development program for teens in grades 9–12 who are interested in plants, science, and environmental education. These positions entail a three-week paid training and lesson plan development program, followed by six weeks of fast-paced programming.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with multiple aspects of summer programs, including program prep, facilitation, and cleanup
• Work with team to prepare and deliver lessons that are multidisciplinary and exploratory, with a focus on botanical/environmental science
• Collaborate and work within an inquiry-based, team-teaching model for gardening and cooking activities
• Help maintain garden plots
• Perform other related duties or special projects as directed

Qualifications:

• 2 years’ experience or studies in education, urban agriculture, nutrition, botany, or environmental or biological sciences
• Experience teaching children, ages 9–13 preferred for the Junior Botanist/Plant Investigator position, ages 13–18 preferred for the Garden Apprentice Program position
• Gardening experience preferred
• Experience and comfort working with students, peers, and supervisors from diverse backgrounds
• Willingness to work outside in all weather

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

March 27, 2026