Seasonal Junior Botanist & Plant Investigator Instuctor

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Seasonal Junior Botanist & Plant Investigator Instructor

Department: Children’s Education

Reports to: PGR Co-coordinators

Compensation: $22 per hour

FLSA Status: Part-time Seasonal, Non-exempt

Term: June 8- August 8, 2026

Work Schedule: Monday–Friday; 22–35 hours per week

Application Deadline: March 13, 2026

Position Description:

This seasonal position begins with three weeks of immersive training followed by six weeks of dynamic, hands-on programming at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG). Program instructors design and lead interactive lessons and activities that inspire students to explore the world of plants through science, art, and direct engagement with the Garden’s collections and landscapes.

Our participants are Junior Botanists (new students entering grades 5–7) and Plant Investigators (returning students entering grades 6–8). Both groups are composed of scholarship students from Title I Brooklyn schools that partner with BBG through our Project Green Reach outreach program. Junior Botanists and Plant Investigators are each led by a team of two instructors in the afternoon, and both groups work together in the Children’s Garden in the morning.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate and work within an inquiry-based, team-teaching model to lead gardening activities with students.
• Work with co-instructor to create, prepare, and deliver lessons that are multidisciplinary and exploratory, with a focus on botanical/environmental science.
• Plan and lead weekly cooking session.
• Help maintain garden plots.
• Work as part of staff team to co-lead a three-day overnight camping trip.
• Perform other related duties or special projects as directed.

Schedule:

Mandatory paid training: Virtual onboard Monday, June 8. Training Tuesday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., June 9–June 26 (no training June 19)

Program: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m., June 29–August 7. No work on Friday, July 3.

*Requires two Saturdays (June 13 and August 8) and one 3-day, 2-night camping trip (July 13-15)

Qualifications:

• 2 years’ experience or studies in education, urban agriculture, botany, or environmental or biological sciences
• Experience teaching children, ages 9–13 preferred
• Gardening experience preferred
• Experience and comfort working with students, peers, and supervisors from diverse backgrounds
• Willingness to work outside in all weather

Benefits:

• BBG offers certain benefits to part-time employees including:
  
  
  • Up to 56 hours of sick leave
  • Short-term disability/New York Paid Family Leave
    
    
• As a 501(c)3, BBG is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer.
• Museum Pass which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for free

How to Apply:

To be considered for this position, please submit an application by clicking Apply below. Applications submitted without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered.

No telephone calls for position inquiries, please. Applicants with disabilities who need assistance with the online system, or who may require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, should contact Human Resources at hr@bbg.org. 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.