Responsibilities:

• Embraces the Garden’s educational mission and commitment to excellence in guest services.
• As the resident expert in early childhood education, this position develops and implements curriculum for pre-school groups (Young Buds), professional development workshops for teachers, summer camps for pre-school children, and developmentally appropriate programs that relate to permanent and changing exhibits.
• Recruits, cross-trains, and supervises part-time Children’s Garden Educators, contractual staff, volunteers, and interns to prepare them for teaching early childhood programs.Staffing level of this group is based on programmatic requirements.
• Monitors and evaluates the teaching methods of the Children’s Garden Educators in early childhood program delivery.Offers ongoing support and constructive guidance related to interactive, hands-on instructional approaches.
• Monitors the income and expenses for all pre-school group programs, emphasizing fulfillment of financial objectives for earned income related to children’s educational programming.
• Supports the fulfillment of grant-funded programs through efficient allocation of staff and program resources; monitors the budget and provides evaluative data for grant reports.
• Serves as key liaison between LGBG and the early childhood education community; stays informed of early education trends, standards, and local/state initiatives; expands community awareness of LGBG resources for young children.
• Aids in assessing the horticulture and maintenance needs of the Children’s Garden as they relate to instruction and programming to support early childhood programs; assists with horticultural maintenance within the Children’s Garden as needed.
• Assists in the daily operations, including logistics, scheduling staff and volunteers and registration practices of all group programs.
• Works with education staff and volunteers in preparing for and presenting programs; ensures that all necessary supplies are in stock for all programs.
• Offers input and support on departmental policies and procedures and pre-visit and post-visit information as they relate to all programs.
• Develops marketing and promotional materials related to all programs, including promotional copy and program descriptions for schools, community organizations, and special interest groups.
• Develops and updates content for the Children’s Garden website page, internal and external Garden communications, including social media.
• Ensures that guest’s fundamental needs for safety, security and comfort are met at all times in the Children’s Garden
• Other duties as assigned, including Children’s Garden team projects, special events, and horticultural maintenance.

Required:

• A passion for engaging all ages in authentic learning experiences in an outdoor environment in all seasons.
• Demonstrated knowledge of formal and informal education principles and developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood education. 
• Demonstrated understanding of the design and delivery of high-quality, interactive educational programming for children and adults. 
• Prior experience and skill developing and presenting nature-based workshops for educators that support outdoor learning.
• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Database experience.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to manage goals and productivity; a strong team orientation with flexible attitude; an innovative, creative thinker. 
• Energetic, personable, and self-motivated with an ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels.
• Must be willing and able to work some varying hours, nights and weekends.
• Must be willing and able to successfully complete American Red Cross First Aid and CPR certification training.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, horticulture, environmental sciences, botany, biology, agriculture, or related field
• Other combinations of education/experience appropriate to the job will be considered.