Education Manager

ABOUT THE GARDENS
Since 1961, Harry P. Leu Gardens has been devoted to inspiring people’s love of nature and plants, preserving our historic landscape, and sharing outdoor experiences with the public. Originally donated to the City of Orlando by the Leu Family, the Gardens is a botanical oasis for daily visitors featuring almost 50-acres of gardens and historical sites which is owned and operated by the City of Orlando.

The Gardens acknowledges the land it resides on originally belonged to indigenous peoples of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and its current day linage began in 1858 when it was purchased by the Mizell family. Throughout the years the Historic Leu House Museum and grounds developed as a homestead for four different families, finally coming into ownership by Harry P. and Mary Jane Leu in 1936. Harry P. and Mary Jane Leu traveled the world collecting plants and flowers for their grounds and gardens, establishing one of the largest collections of camellias in the Southeastern U.S. In 1961, Harry P. Leu donated the entirety of the grounds and home to the City of Orlando, thus establishing what is Harry P. Leu Gardens today.

Today, the Gardens presents a wide range of displays that feature diverse plant collections from Southeastern ecosystems and highlight Florida’s biodiversity. Educational programs, events and exhibits are offered throughout the year, along with inspired rental and wedding venues for private occasions. For the past 62 years, the Gardens has steadily increased its programs and services for residents and visitors from around the world, hosting more than 10 million visitors to date.

The Gardens campus consists of dozens of horticultural collections and plant displays, the Historic Leu House Museum, the Welcome Center, a 22,000 square foot event venue and main entrance hall, and a handful of operational and program support buildings. The Welcome Center was built in 1995 and the Historic Leu House Museum, originally built in 1888 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since the Gardens opened in 1961 as a horticultural showcase of Mr. & Mrs. Leu’s world-wide plant collection, it has evolved into a resource center for horticultural education for all ages, hosts large music and festival events including the long-running plant sale, and is a premier wedding and private event destination in Central Florida.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM’S PROGRAMMATIC OFFERINGS
Harry P. Leu Gardens offers a wide range of programmatic opportunities for learners of all ages to connect with nature. Youth programming includes past girl and boy scout, homeschool, story time, and field trip programs. In 2023, the Gardens launched a new field trip program for select students and hosted more than 1200 students in the spring of 2024. Now, our donor supporting this program has renewed funding to allow the Gardens to create an all-free self-guided field trip program. Curriculum is designed to support Florida state standards for K -8th grade students. In the summer, our 10-week summer camp program continues to sell out year after year. Adult programming includes a host of nature, horticulture, art, and wellness classes throughout the year, as well as group tours.

POSITION
The Education Manager serves as the Garden’s interpretive and programmatic connection point for visitors of all ages, races, and abilities to engage with the exhibits, programs, and events on a daily basis. The Education Manager reports to the Executive Director. The Education Manager develops and manages the Garden’s daily interpretive, programmatic, event-based, and/or learning offerings for the public of all ages, schools, families, and children according to the educational mission, goals, and values of Harry P. Leu Gardens within the areas of: Science & Nature, History & Culture, Health & Wellness, and Art & Design; conducts tours; writes interpretive content and curriculum; supervises, trains, and manages two (2) part-time education assistants, and the Gardens volunteer corps; works with the public; assists in preparing and maintaining the annual educational budget, supplies, and reports; works with the Gardens leadership team to help guide the strategic direction, promote, and share success for the Gardens; works with community organizations, plant society partners, academic, social, and civic groups to create educational opportunities and partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred candidates should have a passion for science, history, humanities and/or museum studies, and a creativity to use that passion to create interpretive experiences for the public. Applicants should be collaborative, organized, and experienced conducting museum tours and programs all ages; possess excellent verbal and written communication skills; have the ability to write educational curriculum, and carry out museum best practices, policies, and procedures; have the ability and passion to work with wide variety of audiences from multicultural and social backgrounds, problem solve, and work on their own and with a team to accomplish tasks.

REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s Degree required in education, public gardens education, cultural studies, or related field with 2-3 years of experience developing educational programs; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

COMPENSATION AND SCHEDULE
$50,918.40 – $78,936.00 Annually
Full-time + benefits from the City of Orlando
Tuesday – Saturday, with night and weekend work for special events and programs

APPLY
Apply online at the City of Orlando job page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orlando