at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Inspiring and engaging future tree champions of all ages is an integral part of The Morton Arboretum's mission and is a focus area for its education department. We are seeking 2 early childhood programs assistants to join the existing team of staff. A successful candidate in this role will have a genuine enthusiasm for working with young children and their families, especially in natural spaces, and will be working in and contributing to a creative, collaborative, passionate, and innovative team environment.
Position Summary:Assist with the planning and facilitation of a wide variety of engaging, inclusive education programs for young children and their families at the Morton Arboretum. Provide support for the Children's Garden Rental program and the Arboretum's Youth Volunteer Program ensuring a positive and memorable experience.
Essential Functions:
Assist with the delivery of a wide variety of programs for young children and their families at The Morton Arboretum. Programs include fee-based programs, free public programs, special events, and other informal learning experiences.
Assist with the Arboretum's Youth Volunteer Program for students in grades 7-12 by helping to plan shift activities, and supervising youth volunteer shifts in the Children's Garden and at social events. Assist in supervising adult volunteers.
Support the Children's Garden rental program by fielding inquiries, accurately communicating program activities and policies, sending letters of agreement, and serving as host during party rentals as assigned.
Assist with the maintenance of supply inventory for early childhood programs.
Monitor for safety, ensuring an accessible and stimulating environment for all visitors.
Act as Children's Garden Supervisor on Duty as assigned.
Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum's employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning and make the Arboretum exceptional.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree preferred. Early childhood experience in a formal or informal teaching capacity preferred. Strong oral communication skills required, with prior experience presenting in front of an audience a plus. Strong interpersonal skills and genuine enthusiasm for working with children required. Experience working with volunteers also desirable. Proficiency with Google applications beneficial. Must become certified and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR (classes provided).
Success Factors: Ability to work well as part of a team. Highly organized individual with the ability to manage multiple tasks with attention to detail. Stamina and ability to lead and deliver programs outdoors in various weather conditions.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 30 lbs.), ability to deliver outdoor programs and to travel around the four-acre garden and Arboretum on paved, wood-chipped, and dirt paths over varied and uneven terrain, in various weather conditions. Ability to climb or interact with various playground features that include tree houses, rope bridges, boardwalks, and stone climbing walls.
Work Environment: Work is performed in a combined indoor and outdoor setting.
Equipment: General office equipment, basic gardening tools, audio-visual equipment, microscopes, kitchen supplies, materials to start and manage a fire, utility cart.
Schedule: Position requires working one weekend day, some holidays, and some peak season evening assignments
The hiring range for this position is $20-22/hour.
The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.
