Early Childhood Education Coordinator

Bookworm Gardens (January 2021)

Job Title: Early Childhood Education Coordinator
Role: Part time, 30 hours per week, year round (January - December)

Bookworm Gardens seeks a team-oriented, energetic, and enthusiastic Early Childhood Education Coordinator who will thrive in a fast-paced environment and who is well-suited to working collaboratively with a small staff. If you have a passion for nature-based learning and children’s literature, enjoy interacting with a wide range of community members (especially children age 2-7), and are motivated by creative brainstorming curriculum development, this is the job for you!

The Early Childhood Education Coordinator reports to the Director of Education and Community Programming and works closely with both the School + Youth Programs Manager and Preschool Director. This position assists with the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Garden’s educational programming; primarily focusing on the summer camp program, nature preschool program (Nature School), and other early childhood programs. The Early Childhood Education Coordinator will work collaboratively with staff to create a holistic curriculum for the Gardens and nurture an innovative environment relating to our mission: “to inspire the love of books and nature in the young and young at heart” and Nature School’s focus of “using nature as a catalyst for learning and fostering a sense of wonder through play- and inquiry-based exploration.” 

Summer Camp Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate the planning, implementation, teaching, and evaluation of Bookworm’s Summer Camp Program. In 2022, this includes 7 weeks of immersive, nature-based camps for ages 3 to 11 
• Maintain a safe, fun, and educational experience for campers and maintain optimal communication with interns, parents, and other staff members
• Coordinate Youth Internship + Volunteer Program for middle school and high school youth and manage the youth summer camp interns (8-10 interns total over the course of the summer)
• Understand Sheboygan’s diverse array of summer camp programming and spearhead expansion of Bookworm’s summer camp programming, if/when applicable
• Work collaboratively with the School and Youth Programs Manager regarding programmatic needs, while reporting to the Director of Education

Nature School Roles and Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with the co-teacher to develop and implement a nature- and play-based program that is rooted in whole-child development
• Work collaboratively with the co-teacher on nature-based daily lesson plans and long term nature-based curriculum
• Maintain a healthy, clean, safe and positive learning environment
• Develop and nurture partnerships with families, including maintaining regular communication with parents about their child’s development and experience in the program
• Document and manage student growth and goals and assist with record keeping and file management per Bookworm and state guidelines 
• Collaborate and communicate with other Bookworm Gardens Education staff to further the general well being and goals of the nature school and also Bookworm Gardens as a whole
• Maintain and structure the classroom and outdoor learning environments
• Support student development while fostering connections between children and the natural world
• Work collaboratively with the Nature School Director (who will co-teach) regarding programmatic needs, while reporting to the Director of Education

Other Education Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Bookworm’s Sprouts and Seedlings Preschool Playtime (ages 2-5 with an adult) 
• Co-teach Sprouts and Seedlings Preschool Playtime 
• Teach school field trips in May, September, and October as needed
• Assist in the development and support of creative curricula for educational programs and teach community outreach as needed
• Work closely with the Director of Education to coordinate this role’s work schedule
• Assist in the implementation of other educational programs as needed, including the homeschool programs, family events, and digital programming

Organizational Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Assist with occasional weekend or evening special events as needed (usually 3-5 per season)
• Support a multicultural and inclusive learning environment throughout the Gardens 
• Communicate and collaborate with Bookworm Educators, Interns and Volunteers, and other Education Department Staff as well as members of the Horticultural, Special Events, and Operations teams
• Treat all Bookworm employees, volunteers, and visitors with respect
• Contribute to a positive work environment and be an advocate for the Bookworm’s community and employee culture
   

Experience + Education

• A Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, environmental science, forestry, botany, outdoor recreation, museum studies or a related field in the arts or sciences
• Experience teaching, either within a preschool or early elementary classroom environment or within the settings of an informal learning environment (botanic garden, nature center, museum, etc.) Active teaching license preferred but not required.
• Experience overseeing and coordinating teen programs is a plus!
• Skills in planning, organizing, and implementing learner-centered and diversified nature-based educational programs
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills with co-workers, volunteers, and parents

Additional Information

• Manager: Director of Education and Community Programming
• Manages: Youth Ambassador Interns and Volunteers
• FLSA Salary Classification: Part-time (30 hours per week), Salaried
• Salary + Benefits: competitive salary with paid holidays, paid vacation and access to retirement benefits. Health care benefits not included.
• Availability: 30 hours per week January - December, with occasional weekend and evening hours 

Start Date: Flexible start date (March - June). Must begin by June 13, 2022.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: The position requires the ability to stand for long periods of time, sit, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk to large groups and lift and carry weight up to 50 lbs. It also requires work in all outdoor weather conditions.

How to apply:

To be considered for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter to info@bookwormgardens.org

Cover letter should include what skills and experiences the candidate brings to the position and how those abilities will support Bookworm Gardens’ programming and mission.

For full job description, please go to our website: bookwormgardens.org/employment

Bookworm Gardens is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.