Education & Public Programs Associate, Full Time
Responsible for developing and delivering educational and public programs to visitors, schools, groups and families under the direction of the Manager of Education and Public Programs. The position requires flexibility in work schedule including work on weekends, evenings as needed. This position will occasionally serve as manager on duty.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
Develop, prepare, and deliver formal and informal lessons and educational experiences for schools including and not limited to scouts, adults, and general audiences. Assist with conducting public programs such as horticultural exhibitions, facility use, and other public events.
Assist Manager of Education and Public Programs with entering reservations and program data, and reviewing program logistics.
Assist to provide administrative support, conduct research of potential speakers and guest-presenters, organize supplies, prepare materials and set up and tear-down programming spaces for education and public programs.
Assist to maintain the Hoop House and Student Garden and increase its usage as an educational resource, supporting the design and daily care under the responsibility of horticulture staff.
Support school and public program volunteers with program execution and participate in volunteer trainings. Collaborate with volunteers to maintain the Hoop House and Student Garden areas. Coordinate recruiting and onboarding process for the teen volunteer program. Assist with developing and supervising experiences for teen volunteers.
Dimensions:
Works with students who are served through educational programming 10,000 students annually
Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:
• Friendly, helpful, and courteous disposition
• Passion for nature and sharing nature with others
• Ability to instruct preschool, elementary, middle, and high school students
• Ability to guide student and adult behavior in a positive, proactive manner
• Ability to lift tables and set up/fold chairs
• Effective communicator with small and large groups
• Committed to customer service and high quality guest experiences
• Capacity to stand for 2-3 hours at a time
• Willingness to work in all weather conditions
• Ability to arrive on time with a high degree of consistency
• Openness to feedback
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Education: Degree in education, horticulture, entomology, or related field preferred.
Experience: Successful experience in classroom teaching or program delivery preferred.
Demonstrated interest and ability to work with people, including children of all ages.
Clearances: This position requires criminal history background checks in addition to child abuse background checks as a condition of employment.
Requirement: Ability to work a varied schedule including weekdays and occasional evenings, holidays and weekends
Status Description & Working Hours:
Permanent Full-time (flexible work schedule that encompasses 40 hours per week and may include weekends and evenings for public programs, exhibits, or special events).
Gardener, Full Time
Performs professional gardening & maintenance duties at Hershey Gardens, under the direction
of the Director of Horticultural Operations.
Major Job Duties:
Performs professional gardening duties as a primary task, as weather and schedule permits,
which includes reporting to work for snow removal operations as required.
Duties include but are not limited to trash collection, weeding, mulching, planting, pruning,
fertilizing, mowing grass, trimming and snow removal.
Performs all facets of gardening/maintenance tasks at Hershey Gardens as well as other The
M.S. Hershey Foundation entities, if required, as directed by the Director of Horticultural
Operations or Grounds Foreman.
Oversees and works with volunteer gardening staff, interns and students in the absence of the
Director of Horticultural Operations or Gardens Foreman.
Works with other staff, advisory board members, Foundation staff and outside professionals at
Hershey Gardens and Foundation entities.
Works with Director of Horticultural Operations, Grounds Foreman, fellow staff and outside
professionals to assist in identifying, correcting and preventing problem areas, in all aspects of
Hershey Gardens.
Reports possible leads, options and procedures to further enhance, save time, material and cost
related to all aspects of the Hershey Gardens to the Director of Horticultural Operations.
Adheres to, and supports Hershey Gardens’ compliance with all State, Federal and Local laws
and policies.
As a full-time staff member, ensures the safety, health and welfare of all guests, personnel,
interns, students, board members and visitors on the property in accordance with Hershey
Garden’s crisis manual.
Position Requirements:
High school diploma or GED required.
Documented training in horticulture, related studies, or a minimum of two (2) years of
work in horticulture, at a professional level. Continuing education courses in
horticulture or a related field helpful.
Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
Willing and able to test and successfully obtain a Pennsylvania Commercial or Private
Applicators license, if required by the Director of Horticultural Operations to perform
duties.
Demonstrated basic skills in oral and written communication.
Demonstrated ability to consistently represent Hershey Gardens and The M.S. Hershey
Foundation in a positive, professional manor.
Demonstrated ability to perform duties professionally under public situations.
Need to be able to move between Foundation and entities.
Occasional need to help with the set-up or tear-down of activities.
Work will be performed in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments and weather
conditions.
Requires physical effort including lifting up to 50 pounds and extended periods of
standing or walking.
Must be able to operate various garden-related machinery and equipment including
snow removal equipment.
This position requires criminal history background checks in addition to child abuse
background checks as a condition of employment.
Additional Information:
Sweet perks include a benefits program to choose among medical, dental, vision, life insurance,
long-term and short-term disability, partially funded HSA, and a robust 403(b) savings plan.
Admission to Foundation operating divisions with additional community discounts are also
included.
Gardener, Part Time, Year Round
This position will assist with all facets of gardening and maintenance tasks throughout 23 acres of themed botanical gardens. Candidates should preferably have general knowledge about plants and landscaping equipment. Position will also help with event set-up. Training will be provided. Occasional weekend or evening events. Typical work week would be 28 hours
Duties/Responsibilities:
Mowing grass weekly
Weeding and edging weekly
Deadheading roses weekly
Mulching as needed
Watering daily
Snow removal
Trash collection as needed
Working with volunteers
Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform duties/responsibilities:
Valid PA driver’s license required
Ability to stand, walk and kneel for extended periods
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
Work may be performed in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments and weather conditions
Good oral and written communication skills
Ability to consistently represent Hershey Gardens in a positive, professional manner
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
High school education or equivalent (must be at least 18 years old)
Experience preferred but not mandatory (training will be provided)
This position requires criminal history background checks in addition to child abuse background checks as a condition of employment
The M.S. Hershey Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions, including all hiring decisions, are made without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, pregnancy, non-job-related disability, veteran status, possession of a General Education Development Certificate as compared to a high school diploma, or any other trait protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strive to hire the hardest working and most qualified individuals.