Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy plays a vital role in creating and energizing this community-focused, world-class urban oasis on the Brooklyn waterfront. A 501(c)3 non-profit, we bring this unique park space to life with more than 500 innovative and engaging educational, cultural, fitness and recreational programs each year. Our free and low-cost events create new and exciting opportunities for tens of thousands of NYC residents and visitors to learn, grow, and experience all that Brooklyn Bridge Park has to offer.
We are currently seeking a highly motivated Director of Education to provide creative and strategic leadership to oversee the development, management, and facilitation of all education programs out of its primary location in the Environmental Education Center and in Brooklyn Bridge Park as a whole. The Director of Education supervises and closely collaborates with 5 full time staff members, while also closely collaborating with other department leads and key stakeholders at our partner organization, Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation (BBP).
The Conservancy’s education programs use the park as a laboratory for hands-on investigation and incorporate inquiry-based and experiential learning into STEAM lessons that focus on the park’s ecology, history and design. The Conservancy’s environmental education program currently serves 20,000 children and families a year through our school and public education programs.
In 2025, the Conservancy and BBP will continue advancing plans for a major expansion of our Environmental Education Center. The new Education Director will play a key role in continuing to develop these plans and driving them forward, providing thoughtful leadership and vision as we shape the future of our programs and facilities.
Primary responsibilities include:
• Assumes a lead role in the future expansion of the Conservancy’s Environmental Education Center, including facility planning and program and staff development; act as liaison between education staff, BBP staff and contractors; will work closely with the Conservancy’s development team and senior leadership on the expansion’s capital campaign
• Leads the education department in the development, implementation and evaluation of dynamic environmental education programs for diverse audiences, which highlight the unique history and waterfront location of Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Hires, trains, coaches and supports all education staff, volunteers and outside consultants, including assigning/reviewing work, conducting performance evaluations, addressing work issues, approving time, and setting work schedules
• Oversees, contributes to, and supports education staff in developing the interpretive content of educational programs, events, publications, and online resources and ensures its educational and curricular connections to Brooklyn Bridge Park and current City and State educational standards
• Directs the development of department rules, policies and procedures, goals and objectives, and priorities
• Manages the preparation of the overall department budget; prepares and submits budgets for individual program areas; monitors budget expenditures and ensures timely and accurate accounting of all expenses; reviews cost estimates for maintenance, repairs, and program activities and approves purchases of needed materials and equipment within the parameters established in annual budgets
• Collaborates with the education team and Communications Manager to develop content for program publicity, social media, brochures, annual reports, etc., to support and highlight the education team’s work
• Develops and implements program evaluation tools to measure and interpret outcomes, program goals and objectives; ensures the collection of program and participant data and analyzes and reports them as required
• Plays a key role in development and fundraising for educational programs, including drafting and reviewing narratives and program budgets for grant proposals and City discretionary funding; administers and reports on government contracts, working with development and finance staff to provide funders of education programs with accurate and timely reports and feedback as required
• Builds and maintains mutually beneficial relationships with other cultural and community organizations, as well as the local education community
• Represents the Conservancy’s education programs to the public, donors, members, local elected officials and other stakeholders at community, cultivation and other events and meetings
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Marine Ecology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, or related field (master’s degree beneficial) and strong track record of strategic leadership with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role with supervisory experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead, engage, inspire, encourage, and guide multi-disciplinary teams, and/or gain others’ support toward accomplishing individual, team, and organizational goals; conscientiously assigns performance goals, offers year-round performance feedback, and conducts timely performance discussions and reviews
• Knowledge of contemporary educational methods and philosophies, especially for informal learning environments
• 3-5 years of experience with fundraising and donor cultivation desirable. Proven sound fiscal management experience and comfort overseeing complex budgets in a layered fundraising environment required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (i.e. in person, verbal, written, and/or phone); can express ideas and facts in a clear and understandable manner appropriate for the individual or group; listens to and comprehends what others are saying; prepares organized and structured presentations; has demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of sensitive and confidential issues and communicate effectively with diverse audiences
• Track record of effective collaboration with multiple organizations and experience managing concurrent multifaceted projects while managing overlapping priorities and deadlines
• High proficiency in office and web-based applications including G-Suite, Slack, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, Excel
• Valid NYS Driver’s License
