Youth & Visitor Education Apprentice

The Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania inspires an understanding of the relationship between plants, people and place through education, research and horticultural display. Located in the Northwest section of the city, the Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a destination for plant lovers from Philadelphia and beyond. The home to a collection of more than 13,000 woody plants and host to special and educational events. Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a hub for botany, horticulture and urban forestry and a special part of Penn.

Job Description

The Youth and Visitor Education Apprentice is an integral part of the Education team, which develops and delivers educational programs for professionals, adults, families, and children. The apprentice works with staff to direct the activities of education volunteers, which include training, workshop planning, and program support. The Youth and Visitor Education Apprentice meets regularly with volunteers and other professionals to plan, coordinate, and evaluate programs. The apprentice has the opportunity to communicate with the public, regularly interfacing with visitors of all ages through monthly programs and events. This position is supported by the McLean Contributionship Education Apprenticeship Endowment. 

Duties & Responsibilities​

Develop plan and lead Outdoor Career Symposium; a forum for high school students to engage with professionals in the horticulture industry

Develop STEAM/STEELS activities and help coordinate field trips for middle-school, English-language-learners’ summer program

Develop and lead monthly programming for Morris’ visitors, like monthly Storytime and seasonal programming

Develop and teach 1 classes included in the Morris class catalogue.

Help develop programs for school groups and Morris visitors

Create temporary interpretive signs for interesting plants

Maintain and create programming for Morris’ Whimsical Woods and Fairy Gardens

Attend meetings and participate in professional development as scheduled

Assist with group tours and guides, including prep and breakdown, greeting groups, and distributing surveys

Early arrival (between 8:00am – 8:30am) to support tours is required. Weekend duties as required.

Perform additional duties as requested

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required

Experience with direct youth service (i.e.. Teaching, leading workshops, nonprofit youth development, camp counselor or camp experience) preferred

Working knowledge of Microsoft 365

Work some evening and/or weekend Morris events

Good communication skills, both written and oral

Work Environment 

The Youth and Visitor Education Apprentice has their own workstation in a shared office that provides the camaraderie offered by a small and supportive staff. The position includes regular field trips with Education Team, a monthly Apprentice education program, as well as the opportunity to attend at least one professional conference. The Youth and Visitor Education Apprentice has an excellent opportunity to meet others in the field of informal education.