Environmental Educator / Lecture Coordinator
Full-time; year-round
Application Deadline: February 11, 2022 or until position is filled
Come join our team!
Located in beautiful Harford County, MD, Ladew Topiary Gardens (https://ladewgardens.com) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to maintain and promote the gardens, house and facilities in keeping with the creative spirit of Harvey S. Ladew for the public benefit and for educational, scientific and cultural pursuits.” Ladew’s grounds cover 250 acres, including formal gardens and an educational trail system through natural habitats including forest, meadows and wetlands.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Environmental Educator / Lecture Coordinator is a member of the Education team reporting to the Director of Education. The overall purpose of this position is to help promote Ladew Gardens’ mission-driven programming to attract and serve a multi-cultural and multi-generational audience providing all participants an opportunity to create memories and connect with nature. This position is primarily responsible for planning and teaching hands-on environmental education to our audiences focused on top quality experiences related to our gardens, historical house, nature walk, and other areas of display that may be developed at Ladew Gardens.
Adult Education:
- Coordinate fall and spring lectures, both in-person and virtually
- Staff Ladew’s Adult Education Committee
- Manage Ladew’s speaker’s bureau
- Assist with training college interns and volunteer program leaders
- Assist with Volunteer Open House, Garden Festival, Wild Walks, etc.
Children’s Education:
- Teach visiting school groups from pre-school to high school
- Plan, teach and help administer certification of summer nature camps
Family Education:
- Help coordinate, plan, teach weekend and evening family programs and events including Maple Magic, Family Nature Explorers, Garden Glow, Christmas Open House and more
Art in Our Gardens:
- Coordinate Ladew’s Art in Our Gardens program
- Act as liaison between artists-in-residence and staff during art installation and program planning
- Help coordinate artist exhibitions, receptions and programs
Other Responsibilities, as needed:
- Participate in various outreach programs throughout the community
- Support the education and administrative staff with social media posts, answering phones, marketing/advertising programs, program registration, budgeting, writing articles and grants
- Help with operation of Ladew’s native butterfly house and garden
- Assist with periodic trail and garden maintenance
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Passion for the environment and the natural world and for sharing it with others
- Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental studies, biology, horticulture or related field preferred, or equivalent work experience in these areas
- Experience in and enthusiasm for teaching children and adults
- Excellent organizational, administrative and computer skills; proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Zoom, and willingness to learn other computer programs
- Experience in designing and implementing environmental education curricula and activities
- Friendly, flexible, creative, self-motivated personality with excellent communication skills
- Ability to walk for up to two consecutive hours and lift heavy objects up to 30 lbs.
- Willingness to work in all weather conditions
- Evening and weekend work required (at least one weekend day per month, February through October and December)
Compensation:
- Salary commensurate with experience
- Medical benefits available
- Matching 401K program available
- Paid vacation, sick and personal time
To Apply: Email cover letter with salary requirement, resume, and the names and contact info of three references to Director of Education, Sheryl Pedrick at spedrick@ladewgardens.com
Ladew Topiary Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse and talented workforce. We seek enthusiastic, friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced individuals to join our team and enhance our visitor experience.