Public Garden Career Center - View Job

The New York Botanical Garden is an advocate for the plant kingdom.  The Garden pursues its mission through its role as a museum of living plant collections arranged in gardens and landscapes across its National Historic Landmark site; through its comprehensive education programs in horticulture and plant science; and through the wide-ranging research programs of the International Plant Science Center.

The Botanical Garden educates people of all ages about the science, function, and beauty of plants to generate awareness, inspire appreciation, and provide an understanding of the importance of plants to all life on Earth.  Its Education Division offers a wide range of structured, programmatic experiences at all levels of learning that is unrivaled at any botanical garden in the world.

Over 300,000 schoolchildren, families, and teachers participate in education programs at the Garden each year, utilizing three facilities:  the 12-acre Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden; and the Green School.  The Garden’s Professional Development program expands schoolteachers’ knowledge of plant science and ecology, and the Garden’s Curriculum Development program partners with academic publishers to create and distribute textbooks and interactive kits with lesson materials and activities.  The Explainer Program engages teens as volunteers in the Children’s Adventure Garden, through personal mentoring and hands-on training to serve as facilitators of family activities.  With these extensive offerings and its 250-acre classroom, the Botanical Garden is an ideal place to learn about plants.

The Stavros Niarchos Vice President for Children’s Education provides leadership, direction, and supervision for all aspects of Children’s Education at the Garden, including programs, facilities and exhibitions for children, their families, and teachers.  He/she instills vision and direction for Children’s Education, defining goals and strategies for all aspects of the department, including programming, curriculum development, professional development and registration; and maintaining focus, quality, and appropriateness of content and presentation.   The VP serves as spokesperson for the department and liaises with other cultural and academic institutions, developing collaborations with those institutions where appropriate.  Responsibilities include supervision of departmental managers and budgets; coordination of activities with other Botanical Garden departments; and, with Development, building strategies for program and project funding. This position reports to the Vice President for Education and works closely with the President and Chief Operating Officer.

The successful candidate will have at least 8 years experience in programs implementation (hands-on, inquiry-based) or administrative experience in a museum, botanical garden, and/or academic institution relating directly to The New York Botanical Garden’s work.  He/she must be well versed and in the forefront of the field of children’s education; particular vis a vis learning styles – how children learn.  Strong leadership, managerial, and communications skills; and experience in educational public programming are essential.  A proven track record of successful grant proposal development and implementation is preferred.

Excellent benefits package including pension, 401k, and 4 weeks vacation.

Qualified candidates should send or email resume, letter of interest and three references to:

The New York Botanical Garden

Attn:  HR – EVP

2900 Southern Boulevard

Bronx, New York 10458

Email:  HR@NYBG.ORG

The New York Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer.