Associate Director of Professional Learning

New York Botanical Garden•Bronx, NY

About The Position

Creates, develops, implements, and manages all aspects of the NYBG Professional Learning Program for teachers and educators. Facilitates and enhances teachers’ and students’ use of the Garden’s collections and learning facilities, and develops innovative methods for teaching plant-based concepts in classrooms, at the Garden, and online. The role oversees the program’s administrative and logistical operations, staff, workshops, institutes, instructional materials, budgets, purchasing, reporting, and evaluation. It also represents the program through partnerships and professional meetings, coordinates professional learning for Children’s Education staff, and leads Urban Advantage family and school engagement activities. The position requires teaching on some weekends and outdoor work in varied weather conditions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education, Education, Plant Science, or a related area.
Ability to engage and effectively educate teachers and educators in informal and/or formal learning environments.
Strong knowledge of how teachers learn and effective classroom practices for students.
Leadership skills.
Ability to work as a team player; imaginative and organized.
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
Proficiency with software and platforms needed for program and project development.
Knowledge of school systems and New York City, New York State, and Next Generation Science Standards.
New York State driver’s license.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including standing, walking, sitting, computer work, using hands, operating a motorized cart, reaching, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, and lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.
Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions and under low to moderate volume work conditions.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage the administrative and logistical aspects of the NYBG Professional Learning Program, including the Urban Advantage Partnership, a city-wide grades 3–8 science initiative.
Manage full-time, part-time, and contracted Professional Learning staff.
Organize and facilitate workshops and institutes for new and continuing teachers in person, online, or in hybrid formats.
Hire and train per-diem contracted educators to facilitate Professional Learning Programs when needed.
Create lesson plans and printed materials for teachers, ensuring alignment with mandated standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards.
Create materials aligned with the New York State Department of Education’s Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education initiative.
Oversee Professional Learning purchasing, budgets, and reports, including purchase orders, contracts, invoicing, monthly ledgers, and attendance information.
Represent the Professional Learning Program through collaborations, professional meetings, and official school visits with partner institutions and networks.
Ensure evaluation of Professional Learning Programs and collaborate with partner institutions on program evaluation when needed.
Oversee and coordinate professional learning series for full-time and seasonal Children’s Education staff at the Edible Academy, Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, and GreenSchool.
Coordinate, plan, and lead Urban Advantage workshops and NYBG visits for families and parent coordinators, with assistance from other UA staff.
Serve as liaison for the creation of UA Community Science Day and UA family visits to NYBG.
Coordinate educational and support visits to UA schools, including Family Engagement Visits and Teacher Engagement Visits.
Attend online and in-person UA Administrator breakfasts, providing design and facilitation support as needed.
Incorporate research, strategies, and scenarios into training development, design, and facilitation; stay informed about best practices and recommend improvements to the program.
Teach on some weekends.