Community Outreach Assistant & Instructor

Position Title: Community Outreach Assistant & Instructor

Department: Education (Community Greening)

Reports to: Community Program Manager 

FLSA Status: Part-time Permanent, Non-exempt

Compensation:  $26 per hour

Term: early September 2026 start date

Schedule: 18 hours per week; 3 days per week, plus three 5-day weeks in June (if possible); some evening and weekend hours


Position Description:
 
The community outreach assistant/Instructor works directly with BBG’s community program manager and community field manager to provide technical assistance to a wide range of community-based groups—such as community gardens and block associations—throughout Brooklyn. Additionally, they develop, coordinate, and implement both large- and small-scale, horticulture-related educational programs both on- and off-site. Brooklynites with a background in community organizing are especially encouraged to apply.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Assist managers with planning and executing annual Making Brooklyn Bloom conference, including organizing speakers, workshops, and exhibitors; managing lead-up and day-of operations; and coordinating volunteers.
• Maintain and update departmental database, including contact information for program constituents; seasonal data projects, including contest entries for Greenest Block in Brooklyn, Community Garden Alliance, and other community programs.
• Assist program manager with planning and execution of annual Greenest Block in Brooklyn competition, including teaching block-visit workshops throughout the spring; data entry; driving and supporting judges; and assisting with networking of entrants.
• Assist community field manager with community greening initiatives, including nursery logistics and maintenance required for plant materials; distribution, logistics, and acquisition of in-kind donations; teaching workshops; and networking events.
• Participate in the ongoing development, evaluation, implementation, and facilitation of the Brooklyn Urban Gardener (BUG) program, including tracking volunteer hours and projects; coordinating communications; and preparing materials for fall instruction.
• Answer general phone and email inquiries to program hotline and email addresses.
• Provide administrative support including data entry, scheduling, invoicing, budget tracking, supply orders, attendance tracking, program evaluation, and reporting.
• Assist with general office management tasks, including mailings, publication distribution, archiving, etc.
• Attend meetings with partnering organizations and report back to team.
• Assist in writing horticulture tip sheets and articles.
• Conduct outreach and tabling at public events.
• Perform other related duties or special projects.

Qualifications: 

• Valid NYS driver’s license (driving required)
• BA or BS degree in education, horticulture, environmental science, or related field preferred, or two years’ related career experience in composting, horticulture or education
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse communities and commitment to environmental and social justice
• Knowledge of some gardening practices required, and one to two years’ experience in urban horticulture preferred
• Excellent writing and teaching skills
• Keen interest and ease in working with the public, along with strong interpersonal skills
• Experience with educating adult learners in formal or informal settings preferred
• Enthusiasm and curiosity for compost, plants, science, and the natural world
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team; self-starter
• Ability to handle basic office organization, including file management, word processing, and database upkeep; competency with Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to teach classes and support programmatic events
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions, stand for long periods, and perform physical tasks, such as lifting up to 30 pounds
• Photography experience strongly preferred
• Event and/or conference planning experience strongly preferred
• Teaching experience with adult learners strongly preferred
• Fluency in English and Spanish preferred

Benefits:

BBG offers certain benefits to part-time employees including:

• NYC Protected Time-Off: up to 56 hours of paid leave and 32 hours of unpaid leave
• Short-term disability/New York Paid Family Leave
• CIRS Pension/401K/Life Insurance: BBG is a member of the Cultural Institutions Retirement System (CIRS) and offers a pension and 401K plan for eligible employees. Life insurance is provided through CIRS as well.
    

• As a 501(c)3, BBG is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer.
• Museum Pass, which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for free
• Free Garden admission for employee plus one guest
• Employee discount at BBG’s retail shop and food venues

To be considered for this position, please submit an application by clicking Apply below.  Applications submitted without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered. 

No telephone calls for position inquiries, please. Applicants with disabilities who need assistance with the online system, or who may require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, should contact Human Resources at hr@bbg.org. 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.