Part-Time Student Garden Programming Assistant Instructor

Overview

Hilltop Garden and Nature Center is a 5‑acre public garden site located within the Indiana University (IU) campus. Hilltop's mission is to serve as an educational and recreational resource for youth gardening, IU students and staff, and the surrounding community, to learn about gardening and connect with nature. The Family Gardening Program offers a garden‑themed learning environment in which families learn and work together through gardening activities both in the classroom and in their own garden plot.

• Assist the Family Gardening Program instructor with planning, preparing, and leading four weekly, 90‑minute sessions for families with children ages 3‑9 years of age.
• Provide a safe learning environment.
• Direct volunteers in garden maintenance.
• Perform general garden maintenance: weeding, watering, mulching, harvesting, pest management, and composting.
• Assist with school field trips and summer camps visiting Hilltop.
• Assist with Hilltop events and programs.

• Currently enrolled as a student at Indiana University.

• Degree in Environmental Education, Elementary or Early Childhood Education, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, Environmental Management, Youth Development, Recreation Therapy, Parks, Recreation and the Outdoors, or Public Health.

• Experience facilitating learning experiences for children.

• Musical, theatrical, and arts and crafts experience.
• First Aid/CPR certification is a plus.

• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Willingness and enthusiasm to help children and adults from diverse backgrounds learn basic gardening skills, focusing on organic and sustainable methods.
• Ability to work independently in the garden, problem‑solve, and make decisions quickly.

Location: Bloomington, Indiana – On Site at Hilltop Garden and Nature Center.
Compensation: $15.00 per hour.
Hours: March 2nd – October 17th: 8–14 hours per week. Applicants must be available weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance.
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU.
• Voluntary supplemental life, long‑term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting.
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options.
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses.
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year.
• Generous paid time off plans.
• Paid leave for new parents and IU‑sponsored volunteer events.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).

Indiana University is an equal‑opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See the Indiana University Notice of Non‑Discrimination for contact information.