Summer Education & Play Facilitator

Lauritzen Gardens, acclaimed as the Best Attraction in the 2025 Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Awards and voted #5 by USA Today for Top Botanical Gardens in the United States
, is home to 100 acres of horticultural displays showcasing the diverse Nebraska landscape. Lauritzen Gardens is a non‑profit organization that supports conservation efforts across the Great Plains, promotes thoughtful, ecologically minded horticulture, creates educational and inspirational experiences, and offers a year‑round schedule of tours, programs, and workshops that explore, explain, and celebrate the world of plants. Lauritzen Gardens is dedicated to upholding its exceptional standards and providing joyful experiences for its visitors.

Summer Education & Play Facilitators will interact with guests of all ages in a variety of garden spaces, settings, and programs. The position will spend most of its time in Sofia’s Play Garden, now entering its second summer in operation. This incredible space has not only increased visitors and membership in the gardens but also provided new and exciting ways for garden educators to engage our youngest visitors, encouraging a lifelong love of learning through nature.

In addition to monitoring the space, engaging with guests, and maintaining supplies in Sofia’s Play Garden, Summer Education & Play Facilitators will facilitate recurring programming for guests in the play garden and visit field trip groups throughout various garden spaces. They may also have the opportunity to assist with summer camps or provide program opportunities for campers in Sofia’s Play Garden or classroom spaces.

Candidates must be available from May 18th to August 7th. Hours may be available before or after these dates for available candidates. Hours for the position are as follows:

• Monday & Tuesday: 11:30 AM-8:00 PM
• Wednesday & Thursday:
  Off
• Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM

Candidates must be available for the majority of summer weeks, including the one‑week training period in May before the start of main programming (May 18th-22nd). This is a full‑time, seasonal position with a 40‑hour work week. Any time off requests, except in emergencies, must be submitted before May 18th.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with interviews beginning the week of January 5, 2026, and continuing until all positions are filled.

The position will work both indoors and outdoors in Nebraska’s climate, conducting tours and other programming.

• High School diploma or GED (required)
• Bachelor’s degree in progress or completed in a related field (preferred)
• Experience with elementary‑age children in an informal or formal education setting (preferred)

• Passion for working with youth and adults in an informal educational setting.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude in times of large crowds and groups.
• Physically able to keep the space clean and organized, as well as play/engage with children in different garden spaces.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multi‑faceted work environment.
• Excellent communication skills, including in presentation and tour settings.
• Attention to detail with a strong emphasis on excellent internal and external customer service.
• Understanding of general environmental concepts.