Early Childhood Programs Educator

Job Title: Early Childhood Programs Educator

Department: Learning and Public Engagement 

Reports To: Early Childhood Programs Manager

Supervises: N/A

FLSA Salary Classification: Non-exempt

Revision Update: November 2025

Availability: Weekdays during standard business hours with occasional weekend work or evening. 

Position Summary: 

Connect young learners to plants through the Garden's early childhood programs. Utilizing the Garden's outdoor living laboratory, work to maintain a safe, accessible, and stimulating environment for all learners, implementing developmentally appropriate lessons to children ages 3-5 in a nature-based setting. 

Essential Functions: 

• Teach in the Garden's early childhood programs, primarily Garden Sprouts Pre-K and Seeds to Sprouts. Learn and co-lead planned curriculum in a natural setting utilizing a child-led approach both inside and outside.
• Collaborate with the Early Childhood Education team to document individual learning through photographs, work samples, anecdotal notes, and standard assessments.
• Actively represent the Garden Sprouts Pre-K program philosophy and practice.
• Prep, organize, and clean-up all program supplies and identify best storage practices.
• Participate in required training sessions, mentoring assignments, staff meetings, planning sessions, and education meetings. 
• Monitor safety at all times and perform continual risk assessments. 
• Support the Early Childhood Programs Manager to make sure all children are making progress in their learning, allowing for differences in abilities. 
• Communicate professionally with Garden Sprouts Pre-K families both in person and using Dojo and Brightwheel platforms as needed
• Support STEM Camps during Spring Break, Fall Break, and Summer Break in the early childhood camp programs. 
• Assist in the daily clean up and set up of programs as needed and perform other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education concentration with at least 2 years' experience working with preschool age children. Or an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education with 4 years experience working with children 0-6 in a public or private operated nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Must possess a valid driver's license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report and complete a background check. Must become certified and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR (classes provided). Newly employed staff must submit a physical examination report completed prior to employment that provides evidence that they are free of communicable disease, including active tuberculosis and physical and mental conditions that could affect their ability to perform assigned duties as required by the State of Alabama.

Success Factors:

• A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Garden's mission of connecting people with plants with a genuine passion that also embraces and exemplifies the Garden's core values. Understand and communicate the Garden's mission, vision, strategic plan, programs, and structure in a positive, constructive, and effective manner. 
• Public service attitude and genuine enthusiasm for working with students and the public. Must exhibit excellent oral presentation skills to communicate with guardians professionally in person and via electronic means. 
• Maintain a flexible, constructive, courteous approach to teachers, parents, children, and other staff. Willingness and ability to stay current with organizational communication channels checking email and Basecamp regularly for communication with supervisors and other staff.
• Sense of responsibility in the area of safety, including appropriate radio use and basic safety measures. 
• A love of nature and teaching outdoors, working with children for several hours a day under all types of weather conditions. 
• Expected to present a professional image to the public by following the Garden/Education Program dress code. 
• Flexible working both independently and as part of the education team. Can effectively adapt to change; can shift gears comfortably; is flexible and embraces change with a "can-do" attitude.

Preferred Qualifications:

Background knowledge in nature based and/or play based education. Understanding of the Montessori or Reggio Emilia approach to learning. Experience with English Language Learners or special needs students a plus. Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Word beneficial.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Physical Demands: Requires physical activity specifically working with youth programs continually walking outdoors on uneven terrain while teaching. Occasional lifting and carrying (up to 30 lbs.), and occasional periods of sitting and operating a computer or other office equipment. 
• Work Environment: Work is performed in a combined indoors and outdoors setting. Outdoor settings include leading groups of children and adults in walking, hiking, and other physical activities, in all weather conditions throughout the four seasons. Indoor work is frequently stationary working behind a computer. Use of general office equipment, tablets, audio-visual equipment, microscopes, basic garden tools, specialized field monitoring equipment, two-way radio, and Garden van are required.

Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize essential functions and responsibilities of a job, and are subject to change as needs and programs change. At Huntsville Botanical Garden job descriptions are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive. It is expected that up to 20% of your duties may change annually.

Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

The Huntsville Botanical Garden supports a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Garden is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.