Specialist, Experiential Learning

Job description

Summary: Working closely with the Coordinator, Experiential Learning, this position supports the implementation of experiential learning programming and initiatives across all Garden sites that equip students with leadership skills, real-world experience, and pathways toward careers in environmental and plant science fields. These initiatives may include internships, fellowships, field experiences, career summits, and other student-centered learning opportunities. The position provides mentorship to student participants and may support MBG staff in their roles as student mentors by establishing effective facilitation and experiential learning practices across Garden programs. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Support the development and delivery of experiential learning opportunities for high school and college students across all Garden sites. • Coordinate internships, job shadowing opportunities, and career exploration experiences in environmental fields that align with the Garden’s mission. • Provide mentorship and support to participating students, as well as support to other Garden staff working with student programs. Experiential Learning Facilitation • Facilitates the experiential learning programming across all Garden sites, including internships, fellowships, job shadowing, field experiences, and career summit events. • Works across Garden divisions and sites to support internship and fellowship experiences, including onboarding, participant support, and day-to-day engagement. • Supports field-based learning experiences, cross-site programming, and student events that contribute to the broader experiential learning model. • Collaborates with Coordinator, Experiential Learning and Education Division colleagues to ensure alignment and consistency in experiential learning practices across programs and sites. • Ensures consistent, high-quality experience for student participants across all programs. • Assists in the preparation, organization, and maintenance of program materials, supplies, and learning resources. • Supports consistency in participant experience across internships, fellowships, field experiences, and summits. Student Mentorship and Participant Engagement • Mentor teen and young adult participants, fostering skill development, confidence, leadership, and career readiness through experiential learning opportunities. • Facilitate engaging learning experiences that connect hands-on activities to science concepts, environmental careers, and leadership development. • Coach and support staff in effective mentorship, facilitation, and youth development practices through guidance, feedback, and role modeling. • Support Youth Fellowship interns by guiding research projects, professional growth, peer collaboration, and presentation of research findings. • Assist in planning and delivering workshops, trainings, and team-building activities focused on professional skills and environmental career exploration. • Help participants develop workplace and life skills, including communication, teamwork, time management, resume writing, and workplace readiness. • Provide supportive guidance to help youth navigate challenges in learning and workplace environments. Community and Educational Partnerships • Supports relationship-building with schools, community organizations, and partners to enhance student access and exposure to various career opportunities. • Assists the Coordinator for Experiential Learning with cultivating relationships and communicating with community organizations and employers to enhance student internship placement and career exposure opportunities. • Assisted with recruitment efforts, with an emphasis on engaging diverse and underrepresented student populations. • Assists with planning, organizing, and implementing opportunities for MBG Teen Network youth participants to engage in cross-program outings, gatherings, and shared experiences that build community among teens from different Missouri Botanical Garden programs and foster a broader sense of belonging within the Garden’s youth initiatives. • Supports the organization and implementation of the MBG Youth Career Summit and other student engagement events. • Help maintain student records, data collection efforts, and assist with tracking participation and engagement across programs to help evaluate impact. • Support student and staff reflection processes to deepen learning and improve program experience. • Supports field trips and education programming, as needed, as part of the School Programs and Partnerships team. • Supports School Programs events such as Family Nights and contributes to the refinement and development of offsite programming to ensure lessons are standards-aligned, experiential, and hands-on. Other Garden expectations: • Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed and supports safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environments. • Meets expected attendance guidelines. • Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines, and Department Policies. • Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation within the division and throughout the Garden. • Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies: • Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills. • Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation, and visitor focus. • Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize, and the working knowledge and skills to take appropriate action. • Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision-making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness. • Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate. Qualifications/Experience: • Minimum of three years' experience working with high school-aged youth or young adults in educational, youth development, or experiential learning settings. • Experience mentoring or supporting teens in hands-on, inquiry-based, or experiential learning environments required. • Experience working with and supporting adult learners, colleagues, or staff in a coaching, facilitation, or collaborative role is preferred. • Knowledge of principles and processes of experiential learning, youth development, and environmental education. • Experience working with students and participants from diverse backgrounds. • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff across programs or sites to support implementation of programming. • Experience supporting or facilitating group discussions, reflection, and learning experiences with both youth and adults preferred. • Ability to balance direct work with participants while also supporting staff in mentorship and facilitation practices. • Use of personal car may be required to travel to program locations. Travel required – approx. 15% • Scheduling flexibility required, including evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight programming. • The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers, and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by a healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require proof of vaccination status based on local health department guidelines. • The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Education: • Bachelor’s degree required with an emphasis in Education, Environmental Education, Ecology, Youth Development, Outdoor Education, or related field. • An equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience may be considered. Computer Skills: • Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and shared digital collaboration tools. • Experience in using database and participant tracking systems (such as Tessitura or similar platforms) preferred. • Ability to use digital tools to support communication, coordination, and program implementation across sites. Other Skills and Abilities: • Strong facilitation and group management skills in both formal and informal learning environments. • Ability to coach and support staff in mentorship and facilitation practices. • Ability to work across multiple sites and adapt to varying program needs and environments. • Strong organizational skills with attention to detail in supporting program logistics. Language Skills: • Ability to effectively communicate in English (oral and written). • Ability to facilitate discussions and communicate clearly with both teen and adult participants. • Ability to communicate in Spanish or other languages preferred. Mathematical Skills: • Proficient basic math aptitude; requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and calculate percentages and decimals. • Ability to apply basic math skills in program coordination, including tracking participation, materials, and simple budgets Reasoning Ability: • Requires ability to exercise independent judgment and apply facts and principles to support program implementation and participant needs. • Ability to adapt to dynamic learning environments and make thoughtful decisions in supporting both teen participants and staff mentors Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: • Must be able to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification. • Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. • Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Class E license within six months of hire. Physical Demands: • Ability to walk up to 1-2 miles on uneven terrain, on and off trails. • Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow and humidity. • Ability to stand and move for extended periods of time during program facilitation and events. • Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds (i.e., load, unload, and move supplies and equipment). • Ability to transport, set up, and organize program materials across multiple sites. • Ability to drive a 15-passenger van. • Ability to utilize a computer keyboard and digital devices for extended periods of time. • Ability to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., step stools, ladders, etc.). • Ability to travel between Garden sites and off-site program locations as needed. • Ability to support occasional overnight or extended program experiences in outdoor or off-site settings. Work Environment: • Work occurs across multiple Garden sites and off-site program locations. • Combination of indoor office work, classroom facilitation, and outdoor program environments. • Some evenings and weekends required to support programming, events, and student experiences. • Occasional overnight or extended program experiences may be required. • Work outdoors with variations in temperature (including extreme heat and cold) and exposure to environmental conditions (i.e., rain, humidity, mosquitoes, ticks, etc.). • Work occurs within shared office environments across multiple Garden divisions and program sites. Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden: • Education Division colleagues and volunteers • Employees across multiple Garden divisions • Teen and young adult participants, including interns, fellows, and program participants • Missouri Botanical Garden staff mentors and supervisors supporting experiential learning programs • High schools, colleges, and universities • Community partners and organizations supporting internships and experiential learning opportunities • Parents, guardians, and educators Supervisor (title not person): • Coordinator, Experiential Learning