Seasonal GAP Program Assistant in Brooklyn, New York at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Position Title: Seasonal GAP Program Assistant

Department: Garden Apprentice Program

Reports to: Garden Apprentice Program Co-Coordinators

FLSA Status: Part-time Seasonal, Non-exempt

Compensation: $20 per hour

Application Deadline: April 1, 2026

Position Description:

This position is only open to graduates of the Garden Apprentice Program.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Children’s Education programs are world-renowned for teaching hands-on gardening and plant science to children and teens. The Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) is a youth development program for teens in grades 9–12 who are interested in plants, science, and environmental education. All GAP program assistants must participate in an intensive three-week paid orientation and lesson plan development program in June prior to working with apprentices during their summer program.

Primary Responsibilities:

Assist with GAP summer program, including program development, facilitation, and cleanup.Supervise and mentor apprentices as they work in placements throughout the Garden and develop and implement summer-long curricula in Tiers 2/3. Assist with horticulture and cooking sessions with students in the Children’s Garden.Collaborate with supervising staff to create curricula that explore current environmental issues, science research, and more.Design and lead team-building exercises and enrichment activities for students.Lead field trips to farms, gardens, and other cultural institutions within New York City.

Schedule:

Remote Onboarding: Monday, June 8 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.Training: Tuesday–Friday, June 9–26 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (No work shifts June 19, and June 30–July 3). Program: Tuesday–Friday, July 7–August 14 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Qualifications:

College-level studies and a demonstrated interest in education, environmental and biological sciences, youth development, or urban agriculture.Must be a former member in good standing of the Garden Apprentice Program.Experience and comfort working with youth and staff from diverse backgrounds.Strong research and presentation skills

Benefits:

BBG offers certain benefits to part-time employees including:


NYC Protected Time-Off: up to 56 hours of paid leave and 32 hours of unpaid leaveShort-term disability/New York Paid Family Leave


As a 501(c)3, BBG is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer.Museum Pass, which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for freeFree Garden admission for employee plus one guestEmployee discount at BBG’s retail shop and food venues

To be considered for this position, please submit an application by clicking Apply below. Applications submitted without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered. 

No telephone calls for position inquiries, please. Applicants with disabilities who need assistance with the online system, or who may require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, should contact Human Resources at hr@bbg.org. 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.