Career Center

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 
University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG) Education Program Mission: Provide meaningful educational experiences that enrich participants’ connections with plants and the natural world.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, we value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, fairness, and opportunity for all. We see implicit and explicit exclusion from green spaces like botanic gardens as an injustice that shapes our past and present and must be countered as we move into the future.

As a community, we believe that working to achieve equity and promote inclusion is both crucial and complex; we embrace the continuous commitment, the collective growth mindset, and the humility required to make meaningful transformation.

For the full statement of commitment, visit our website.

Program Overview: The University of Washington Botanic Gardens Youth and Family Education programs serve over 10,000 youth ages 2-18 and their families each year through family classes, school field trips, summer camp and preschool programs.  Tucked within the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the Youth and Family Education Programs is the Fiddleheads Forest School, an entirely outdoor preschool for students ages three to five. At the Fiddleheads Forest School, we aim to foster a sense of wonder, to guide rather than compel, and to provide room for possibility rather than attempt to constrain children’s interests to fit within a certain curriculum. Unlike traditional programs, at the Forest School our classroom grows and changes along with its students.  This dynamic environment offers an unparalleled setting for the development of self-regulation and fundamental appreciation for the natural world. Our unique, child-driven curriculum addresses the individual developmental needs of every student. Each day is approached with joy and wonder at the wide world around us.

Position Purpose:  This full-time position will assist the Fiddleheads Forest School and lead teachers with all aspects of implementing a weekly, full-day nature preschool program.  This position will assist with teaching classes of up to 14 students M-F from 8:30AM – 3:00PM while spending the vast majority of that time outdoors, exploring the natural world through age-appropriate lessons and activities. It reports to the Head of the Fiddle Heads Forest School.  This position is a 40 hour per week role, with typical work hours of 8:00am-4:30pm.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

•Help 4-6 year olds discover and develop a relationship with the natural environment by assisting students with established activities using items found in nature, modeling healthy engagement with the environment, positive social interaction and self-regulation, and curiosity for the natural world.
•Co-lead prepared curricular activities that are developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive for 4-6 year olds, incorporating foundational natural science and social and emotional learning concepts as well as emergent interests of student population.
•Maintain clear communications with fellow staff, interns, students, and their families to achieve common goals, support the development of all students, and avoid potential conflicts.
•Assist with documentation of student learning.
•Assist in efficient preparation, organization, and maintenance of teaching supplies and materials including regular cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting according to health guidelines.
•Other related duties as assigned.

Decision-making Authority: Ability to make decisions in the field related to the health, safety and well-being of a child and/or children when the situation does not allow for consultation with a supervisor.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

High school graduation or equivalent AND two years of experience working with early learners in a formal setting AND a minimum of an ECE initial certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the electronic workforce registry by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families or willingness to obtain certificate within five years of hiring.

DESIRED:

Associate or Bachelor’s Degree or formal training in early childhood education, environmental education, or related areas. Creativity, flexibility and understanding necessary for working with children, parents and staff members. Excellent organizational skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather. Flexible work hours include occasional evening and weekend work.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.