Job purpose
The Environmental Educator 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 developing, planning and directly teaching hands-on environmental education to our audiences focused on quality experiences related to our gardens, historical house, Nature Walk trail, and other areas of display that may be developed at Ladew Gardens.
Duties and responsibilities
Children’s Education:
- Develop and deliver programming applicable for school age groups spanning from preschool to high school
- Develop, coordinate and lead twice a month preschool program, Little Explorers, to include curriculum and hands-on experiences
- Develop and deliver summer nature camps ensuring age-appropriate materials and engaging hands-on experiences
Family Education:
- Participate in coordinating, planning and teaching weekend and evening family programs and events including Maple Magic, Family Nature Explorers, Garden Glow, Christmas Open House and new programs
Adult Education:
- Participate in the delivery of training for college interns and volunteer program leaders
- Participate in volunteer events, Garden Festival, Wild Walks, etc.
General Education Support:
- Develop and propose recommendations to enhance, expand, or otherwise continuously improve the educational programs to ensure relevant and engaging content and experiences
- Provide support to the education and administrative staff with appropriate social media posts, answering phones, marketing/advertising programs, program registration, office management
- Participate in the operation of Ladew’s native butterfly house and garden
- Perform functions that include periodic trail and garden hands-on maintenance & direct care of animal ambassadors
Compensation:
- $40,000/year based on 37.5 hours per week
- Medical benefits available, including an HRA plan, Dental, Vision, Life insurance
- Matching 401K program
- Paid vacation, sick and personal time
Application Deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026
Qualifications
- Demonstrated passion for the environment and the natural world and for sharing it with others in a comprehensive and audience-focused manner
- Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental studies, biology, horticulture or related field preferred, or equivalent work experience in these areas
- Direct experience in teaching children and adults in a variety of programmatic delivery modalities
- Excellent organizational, administrative and computer skills; proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Zoom, and proven aptitude to learn other software programs
- Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing environmental education curricula and activities to meet learning objectives in an engaging manner
- Approachable, adaptable, creative, self-motivated individual who collaborates well and utilizes excellent communication skills
- Ability to transport oneself for up to two consecutive hours and lift heavy objects up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to work in all weather conditions to include temperature variations and precipitation
- Evening and weekend onsite work required (at least one weekend day per month, February through October and December)
Competencies
- Effective Collaboration
- Communication & Relationship Management
- Exemplary Customer service to all persons
- Ethical Conduct
- Technical Capacity
Working conditions
This job primarily operates in a public gardens environment that has both indoor and outdoor serving facilities for guests and may be subject to a variety of weather conditions. This role often uses computers, phones, photocopiers, as well as golf carts, standard gardening equipment and other related equipment. This job is also required to take place in the gardens, on the grounds of the property, and in areas that the public may not frequent.
Physical requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand or walk up to 2 hours at a time; use hands to type, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Additionally, this position may require lifting up to approximately 50 lbs.
Direct report
This position reports to the Director of Education.
Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice