POSITION SUMMARY

For over 20 years, CPF Learn has implemented experiential learning in environmental science, connecting kids to parklands as learning laboratories. Through intensive partnerships with schools and community partners, our vision is to foster year-round, long-term engagement of youth from targeted, underserved communities in four program areas: Seeds to Trees, Learning Gardens, Coastal Classroom, and Eco-Innovators.

City Parks Foundation seeks a Summer Coastal Classroom Lead Educator to work during the summertime within the Coastal Classroom program.  This program will take place at Socrates Sculpture Park and the adjacent Hallett’s Cove Park.  The focus is on educating middle school students about marine ecology, stewardship, and conservation while providing waterfront fun in the outdoors during the summertime. The program provides hands-on outdoor field experiences to multiple summer middle-school groups. The Summer Coastal Classroom Lead Educator will be responsible for the supervision and mentorship of a team of high school and college interns and the implementation of established lessons drawn from the Coastal Classroom curricula for daily groups of summertime campers. 

COMPENSATION $25 - $28 per hour

SEASON: late June - mid August 2026
 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Guide, supervise and support a team of up to 10 College and High School Interns that support the implementation of the program and operations day-to-day
• Provide direct instruction and guide the facilitation by interns in Hallett's Cove at Socrates Sculpture Park using pre-planned activities from the Coastal Classroom curricula for groups of up to 30 middle school students. The program will span 5 weeks with a format of 4-weekly sessions for up to 7 groups during morning and evening sessions: 10am-12:30pm and 1:30-4pm
• Report to the Senior Manager of STEM Programming and work alongside other Coastal Classroom staff to help shape curricula by recommending activities and providing relevant feedback
• Assist implementation of established program evaluation and student assessment strategies and tools
• Assist in maintaining education department resources including educational gear and supplies.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Environmental Education/Science, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology or 3 years equivalent training and experience in environmental science education in non-formal settings
• Strong experience with middle school-age students desirable
• Demonstrated success working with diverse students, especially youth from under-resourced communities
• Proficiency in Google Drive and Office applications (docs, sheets, slides)
• Willingness to work outdoors in sometimes uncomfortable weather conditions
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team is essential
• NYS Drivers License a plus 
• Ability to lift some heavy gear as well as to assist moving small boats for short distances
• Self-starter with a positive, can-do attitude and consistent follow-through
• Experience with boating preferred
• Familiarity with marine ecology and biology preferred

ABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

At City Parks Foundation (CPF), we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming New York City parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.

Community engagement includes Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, which supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks and the Parks and Open Space Partners-NYC coalition of conservancies and alliances. We also administer the NYC Green Fund, a regranting program for parks and open space nonprofits and grassroots organizations.

We produce SummerStage, the iconic free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.

We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.

Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. City Parks Foundation does not offer visa sponsorship.