Out of School Learning Coordinator

Job Description

The Out of School Time (OST) Educator plans and leads nature-based programming for youth. A primary focus for this role is summer camp and offsite, afterschool programs with opportunities to support other Out of School Time offerings, including drop-in and Scout programming. The OST Educator will initially support programming as an educator, eventually building skills to plan lessons and coordinate administrative tasks for specific program areas. They also serve as a member of the school field trip teaching team presenting nature-based programs to learners of all ages and abilities.

This position works a Tuesday – Saturday schedule and “after school” hours, typically until 6pm. Additionally, since up to 50% of the work of this position occurs at partner sites around Greater Richmond, a reliable personal vehicle is necessary (mileage will be reimbursed).

We value and understand peer-reviewed research demonstrating youth learn most when they see themselves represented in their teachers. We have a strong desire for our Youth and Family Engagement Team to represent the diverse community we serve. We encourage members of the BIPOC community to apply.

About Us

Values
Responsibility, Innovation, Integrity, Hospitality and Inspiration

Founded in 1984, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a nonprofit garden located in Richmond, Virginia’s Lakeside neighborhood. The Garden encompasses 82 acres, four lakes, 5,500 unique taxa of plants within 15 distinct outdoor gardens, 11 major buildings including a conservatory and greenhouse, plus an 80-acre branch site, the Lewis Ginter Nature Reserve. Annually, Lewis Ginter engages over 17,000 students in innovative and exciting education programs. This cadre of identified learners is just a fraction of the more than 400,000 annual visitors to the Garden. In recent years, the Garden has been honored with inclusion in several top ten lists for botanical gardens in North America.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin in the hiring, retention, or promotion of employees. We support the diversity and inclusion policy adopted by The American Public Gardens Association: to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive culture where the contributions of all community members are valued, respected, and appreciated.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities
• Primary responsibilities:
o Expanding Roots (After School Programming)
 Lead programs onsite and offsite for community partners.
 Assist with developing programs.
 Assist with preparing program supplies.
 Assist with purchasing supplies and recording purchases for budget tracking.
o Summer Camp
 Lead summer camps.
 Assist other camp instructors when not leading camp.
 Assist with development of summer camp programming.
o Discovery Programs
 Preset teaching materials and clean up following conclusion of program.
 Lead programs for K-5 students visiting the Garden for field trips.
 Facilitate entry of school groups arriving onsite for programs.
• Secondary responsibilities:
o Scout Programs
 Lead Scout Programs scheduled on Saturdays and assist with preparing educator who is leading programs scheduled on Sundays.
 Serve as point of contact for troop leaders.
 Use scheduling software to review details of scheduled programming.
o Family Programs
 Lead Family Drop-In Programs on Saturdays (and during the week when schedule permits).
 Share feedback on drop-in programming in order to support development of future programs.
• All members of the Youth and Family Engagement Team:
o Attend weekly planning meeting (Thursdays 1:30pm) and other meetings as needed.
o Assist with general upkeep of Children’s Garden spaces.
o Ensure that guests’ fundamental needs for safety, security and comfort are met at all times in the Garden.
o Complete other duties as assigned, including team projects, special events, and horticultural maintenance.
o Work occasional weekend, evening, and holiday hours.
Skills and Abilities
• Proven ability to engage youth through environmental education while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Highly organized.
• Ability to productively switch between multiple tasks/types of work within a single day.
• Communicates effectively with diverse ages, backgrounds and all abilities.
• Works well independently as well as thrives in a team environment; adaptable and solution-oriented.
• Must be able to initiate, build and sustain relationships with fellow staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct administrative work, such as managing program registration. Motivated to learn how to navigate the Garden’s reservation software.
• Basic gardening/plant knowledge or willingness to learn.
• Proficiency in conversational Spanish a plus.

Each employee of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
• Must comply with provisions of the current Employee Handbook, all published personnel policies and the requirements of their individual job descriptions.
• Must conduct themselves and perform all duties in a manner consistent with a public garden serving multigenerational and multicultural individuals and families, and in accordance with directed practices and procedures.
• Must be aware of surroundings and vigilant to threats to the safety of visitors, volunteers, and staff or to the security of their property, ensuring that all concerns are reported promptly.
• Must report all mishaps, injuries, and incidents immediately and ultimately in writing to supervisor(s) and to Human Resources.
• Must ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Must perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions
• Ability to carry up to 30 lbs.
• Must be able to move throughout the 82-acre Garden property, as needed.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions including heat, cold, wind, and humidity.
• Must be comfortable working in immediate proximity to the general public in a safe and friendly manner.
• Must have independent transportation and ability to visit offsite partners throughout the workday.
• Note: Duties described above, other duties, and physical demands have been identified as essential functions as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Education and Experience

Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s or Associates Degree, or equivalent experience.
• 1-2 years experience leading programming for youth in an informal learning context.
• Experience with summer camp or afterschool programming preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification a plus, or willingness to be certified.

Application Instructions

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to HR@lewisginter.org