Hershey Children's Garden Educator

Holden Forests & Gardens' Education department seeks a friendly team member to assist with education programming efforts at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Hershey Children's Garden educator will support the education department with a focus on maintaining the Hershey Children’s Garden and providing educational programming. Primary duties include general grounds maintenance, guest engagement, and supporting program development and delivery for our seasonal youth & family activities in the Hershey Children’s Garden and the Ron & Lydia Harrington Perennial Playspace. This position is based at the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, Ohio with possible travel to the Holden Arboretum campus in Kirtland, Ohio. We are seeking an individual who takes initiative, self-motivated, and can demonstrate strategic thinking.

Position Details:

• A great position for anyone looking for summer work to gain experience in early childhood education, environmental education, ecology, horticulture, museum studies, or the social sciences 
• April through September, flexibility in start date
• 6-month position
• Approximately 40 hours a week
• Wednesday - Sunday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, some evenings required
• Training provided
• Discounts in our stores & cafes
• Free parking at both the Holden Arboretum & the Cleveland Botanical Garden and admission to many Northeast Ohio Museums
• Reports to Family & Youth Engagement Educator

Key Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities of the Hershey Children's Garden Seasonal include but are not limited to: 

• Support Holden Forests & Gardens’ mission, vision, values, and core commitment to the visitor experience and community engagement
• Lead educational programming
• Assist with the maintenance and horticultural upkeep, including planting, watering, raking, weeding, mulching, plant pruning, and some plant removal, from a pond and flower beds
• Ensure all interactive areas of the Hershey Children’s Garden and the Ron & Lydia Harrington Perennial Playspace are in guest ready condition
• Ensure handouts and interpretation are well stocked and ready for guest use
• Serve as a point of contact for Hershey Children’s Garden volunteers
• Collaborate with volunteers to complete projects as assigned
• Deliver inquiry-based family programming
• Assist the Public Programs Coordinator with preparations for camp and assist with co-leading camps as needed
• Assist with other educational and outreach events at University Circle as needed
• Assist with other responsibilities, programs and events as needed in the Education Department
• ​Work closely with contract instructors, volunteers, seasonals, interns, and other department staff as needed
• Opportunity to assist with events and programs at Holden Arboretum campus
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrate a passion for people and nature 
• High school degree or equivalent, required
• Pursuing or recently completed an undergraduate degree in, Education, Environmental Science, Horticulture, Agriculture, Museum Studies, Social Sciences, or related field, preferred
• Experience in youth education, leadership, or camp counselor roles, a plus
• Experience with or strong interest in plant care and gardening, preferred
• Experience working with volunteers, a plus
• Proficient use of Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive
• Maintain a valid driver's license and possess an acceptable driver’s record
• Effective communication skills 
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required
• Must pass criminal background check

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Stand and sit for extended periods of time
• Perform tasks in all weather conditions; temperatures may range from 15-100°F Working primarily outdoors where temperature extremes exist
• Effective vision and hearing
• Hand and arm dexterity
• Walk and work on wet, uneven, slippery, or rocky terrain
• Ability to ascend and descend stairs
• Kneel, bend, stoop, grab, and reach
• Regular lifting and carrying of up to 30 pounds, occasionally 50 pounds