Early Childhood Educator

Career Opportunities with Franklin Park Conservatory

A great place to work.

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers world-class horticulture, art & nature-based exhibitions and educational programs. The 13-acre indoor and outdoor facility—situated two miles from downtown Columbus—features glasshouses including the historic John

F. Wolfe Palm House; botanical gardens including the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden and Scotts Miracle Gro-Foundation Community Garden Campus; and event venues. The Conservatory is home to the largest collection of Chihuly glass in a botanical garden and Light Raiment II by internationally renowned artist James Turrell. Committed to the community, the Conservatory strives to provide an accessible and welcoming experience to all.

As a premier botanical garden destination, we connect people to nature and create life enhancing experiences.

Envision a world that celebrates nature as essential to the human experience.

The Early Childhood Educator engages, inspires, and educates young children through a variety of developmentally appropriate, nature-based learning experiences. As an active member of the Community Outreach & Education Team, this position assists with the development, implementation, and delivery of educational programs while supporting daily operations and visitor engagement in the Scotts Miracle-Gro

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. This position is eligible for the Conservatory's benefit package offered to full-time employees, which includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid Life/AD&D/Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance, participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement Program (OPERS), optional 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan, generous Paid Time Off (PTO), and complimentary membership to the Conservatory.

$19.50/hourly paid biweekly.

• Delivers developmentally appropriate curriculum and educational programs for children ages 0-6 and their families in a variety of settings, including the Children's Garden, on-site and off-site preschool programs, outreach programs, family programs, and other educational events as assigned.
• Assists with activities and opportunities that encourage curiosity, exploration, creativity, and problem solving appropriate to children's developmental levels and learning styles.
• Supports the daily operations of on-site and off-site preschool programs and the Children's Garden by preparing and maintaining educational materials, program spaces, equipment, and supplies.
• Assists with the care and maintenance of Children's Garden living collections and educational resources, including butterflies, tadpoles, carnivorous plants, and the Let's Grow vegetable garden.
• Serves as the primary point of communication for the Children’s Garden on weekends and other days as needed.
• Provides a welcoming, engaging, and safe environment for all preschool program participants and Children’s Garden visitors.
• Works collaboratively with Community Outreach & Education staff, volunteers, and other Conservatory departments to support educational programming and Children's Garden operations.
• Maintains records and program documentation as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Associates or Undergraduate degree in early childhood education.
• Experience in teaching children and youth in an informal education environment is preferred.

• Understanding of early childhood development and learning.
• Proficient in experiential learning and a keen interest in sharing knowledge.
• Ability to create enthusiasm and engage groups of visitors.
• A professional demeanor with highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Self-confident and skilled at public speaking.
• Proficient in MS Office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Ability to function as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and remain on an exact schedule of events.
• Ability to walk up to 5 miles/day and lift to 40 pounds with or without…