Apply today to join the Nature Center at Greenburgh as an Environmental Educator and Camp Instructor, Ecology & Conservation Intern, or Board Member.
Environmental Educator and Camp Instructor
REPORTS TO: Director of Education
POSITION: Non-Exempt
HOURS: Either Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm, September-June and Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, July and August when scheduled for camp. (Some schedule change is required for, but not limited to: special events, weekend coverage, and summer camps.)
OVERARCHING RESPONSIBILITY:
The Environmental Educator works to inspire our participants to make a closer connection to nature through effective education experiences. The Camp Instructor is a group leader in all seasonal and summer camp experiences.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (Other duties may be assigned as appropriate):
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR (September-June)
- Develop and implement creative and enriching science-based environmental education programs for school groups, camp groups, weekend programming and scout programs
- Conduct and assist with off-site (outreach) programs
- Provide animal meet and greets to visitors in our animal museum
- Work independently and with staff to develop and maintain teaching resources
- Prepare seasonal teaching sites, maintain equipment, and oversee grounds projects
- Work with manager of living collections to assist in the care and maintenance of our living collections
- Take part in routine tasks of museum work including systematic animal enrichment routines and maintaining animal records.
- Assist with the organization, cleaning and upkeep of the building
- Train and provide ongoing support and guidance for seasonal interns
- Provide instructional services for birthday parties
- Participate in all special events
- Participate in staff training and staff meetings to plan and evaluate programs
CAMP INSTRUCTOR (July-August)
- Lead a group of 16 k-4th grade campers for 10 weeks of summer camp, and school break camps during the school year
- Assist Camp Supervisor in curriculum development and other preparation for the camp season
- Lead summer counselors in training (CIT)
- Prep and lead daily activities such as forest walks, pond exploration, scientific experiments, live animal presentations, arts and crafts, storytime, and more
- Mediate camper-to-camper conflicts that might arise
- Complete CPR training course
- Perform light first aid as necessary
- Monitor camper health and maintain daily medical log
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, sustainability, education or related field
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Positive attitude and willingness to follow instructions
- Ability to take initiative in their duties
- Effective at time management
- Comfortable handling all types of animals including reptiles, mammals, invertebrates and birds (training will be provided)
- Comfortable interacting with all ages
Desired Qualifications:
- 1 year of related work experience
- Classroom, informal or camp education experience
- Knowledge of basic animal husbandry and information
Physical Requirements:
- Frequently required to stand/walk for 3 or more hours
- Frequent exposure to outside weather conditions in all types of weather
- Valid Driver’s License required
This is a full-time, salaried position at $40,000 annually with health benefits and a 401k plan.
To Apply: Please send a thoughtful cover letter and resume to education@naturecentergb.org. Please include your name and “Environmental Educator Application” in the subject line.
Final offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check that may include employment history, national criminal background check, national sex offender registry search, fingerprinting, and a driving check.
At the Nature Center at Greenburgh, we value all employees and job candidates as unique individuals, and we welcome the variety of experiences they bring to our company. As such, we have a strict non-discrimination policy. We believe everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage everyone to apply!
Ecology & Conservation Internship
Who we are:
The Nature Center at Greenburgh (Nature Center) is the non-profit behind the operations and educational initiatives of the Greenburgh Nature Center, in partnership with the Town of Greenburgh. Through this unique public-private collaboration, we provide exceptional programming, safeguard diverse ecosystems, and care for our beloved animal ambassadors. The Nature Center is dedicated to fostering a deep connection between people and the natural world through environmental education and ecological conservation. The Nature Center property encompasses 33 acres of preserved natural beauty, offering open spaces, forested trails, and diverse ecosystems, including a vernal pond, pollinator gardens, and a native plant meadow. Highlights of the grounds include educational features such as a Native American Replica Village, a barnyard, and demonstration gardens. Annually, the Nature Center inspires and educates over 100,000 individuals through immersive programs, a live animal museum, and a variety of interactive experiences.
Mission:
To inspire passion, curiosity, respect, and action for our natural world.
Opportunity:
8-10+ week paid Ecology & Conservation Internship(s) -Full time, multiple positions.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Work Location: In person
Purpose:
Nature Center at Greenburgh facilitates the training and knowledge-building of young professionals to become future conservationists. ECI interns are typically undergraduates, learning conservation skills between semesters, or young professionals just outside of a formal education setting. With a focus on native plants, our internship program provides hands-on training in conservation skills, applied ecology, research & data collection and facilitates the interaction with conservation practitioners throughout the region.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Skills Required
The selected candidate(s) must be able to work both independently with minimal supervision and cooperatively as a team with:
- Experience in biology, environmental science, botany, ecology, and/or natural resource management.
- Familiarity with or a desire to learn more about habitats and ecosystem restoration.
- Interest in native plants, including basic plant identification skills and garden landscaping.
- Excellent organization and high level of attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to problem-solve
- High degree of initiative
- Desire to learn and contribute
Physical Demands
- Ability to communicate with team individuals by virtual platforms, phone, email and in person.
- Working on the phone or computer for prolonged periods.
- Long hours in hot and humid conditions with possible bees, mosquitos and ticks.
- Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
- Work outdoors in variable weather conditions, on uneven terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Use handheld GPS units to inventory trees, map habitats and monitor invasive species.
- Ability to use power tools including weed-whackers and saws following completion of appropriate training.
- Supervises no staff, but will help plan and direct volunteers
Benefits
- Exposure to recreation resource management
- Will learn about native plants, habitats, and techniques for managing invasive plant species.
- Opportunities to meet and learn from professionals in the field of conservation working in nonprofits and municipal agencies.
- Gain essential skills in volunteer coordination, non-profit program administration, and cooperative management of a municipal park.
- Opportunities to attend events, meetings, as well as online training and professional development.
Time, Location and Compensation
Position is 8 – 10+ weeks in duration and is based at Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale, NY.
Flexible schedule with up to 35 hours of work per week @ $17.00/hour.
Flexible terms between May 2026 and August 2026.
The Nature Center at Greenburgh is open to working with your college advisor regarding earning course credits.
To Apply
Please send a resume AND cover letter to the Manager of Facilities & Grounds at Matt@naturecentergb.org.
Position open until filled.
The Nature Center at Greenburgh encourages collaboration, flexibility, and fairness with all employees and volunteers to enable participation and contributions to their fullest potential. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive organization, and recognize that diversity contributes to an effective and successful organizational culture and mission.
The Nature Center at Greenburgh prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and/or expression), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the locations where we operate.
Position is contingent on funding and public health related regulations. Final offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
To be considered for any future career or internship opportunities, please send a cover letter and resume to info@naturecentergb.org 