Coordinator, Experiential Learning

Summary: Leads the development and implementation of experiential learning initiatives that equip students with leadership skills, real-world experience, and pathways toward careers in environmental and plant science fields. Coordinates Garden-wide internships, manages the Missouri Botanical Garden Youth Fellowship, and organizes the annual Youth Career Summit. Builds and maintains partnerships with high schools, colleges, and community organizations to recruit students and promote hands-on learning opportunities across Garden divisions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Leadership:
• Designs and implements experiential learning opportunities for high school and college students aligned with the Garden’s mission across all of the sites
• Oversees the Missouri Botanical Garden Youth Fellowship program, mentoring students through project development, leadership roles, and career exploration.
• Coordinates the annual Youth Career Summit, connecting students with Garden professionals and community partners to increase awareness of career pathways in plant science, conservation, and education.
Experiential Learning Coordination:
• Collaborates across all Garden divisions to identify internship needs and supports recruitment, matching, and onboarding processes.
• Develops a centralized system to track Garden-wide internships and experiential learning participation.
• Designs strategic recruitment efforts targeting diverse, underrepresented student populations.
• Plans, coordinates, and hosts an end-of-internship gathering for interns and staff mentors c; interns present their experiences, share key takeaways, and reflect on their learning in a culminating showcase.
MBG Teen Network
• Coordinates and facilitates bi-monthly virtual MBG Teen Network meetings for program leads from Eco-Act, SAGE, Outdoor Youth Corps, MANTIS, and the MBG Youth Fellowship to support alignment, collaboration, and shared planning across teen-focused programming at the Garden.
• Plans, organizes, and implements opportunities for MBG Teen Network youth participants to engage in cross-program outings, gatherings, and shared experiences that build community among teens from different Missouri Botanical Garden programs and foster a broader sense of belonging within the Garden’s youth initiatives.
Student Mentorship and Leadership Development:
• Supports Youth Fellows and interns through progressive leadership opportunities, including mentoring peers, leading projects, and presenting research or findings.
• Organizes workshops and trainings on professional skills, environmental leadership, and project management.
Community and Educational Partnerships:
• Builds and maintains relationships with high schools, colleges, and universities to create strong recruitment pipelines.
• Cultivates relationships with community organizations and employers to enhance internship placements and career exposure opportunities.
Program Evaluation:
• Develops and implements assessments measuring student learning outcomes, internship effectiveness, and program impact.
• Collects data for grant reporting, future funding opportunities, and continuous program improvement.
• Creates and maintains a centralized database in Tessitura for all MBG teen program participants (current and alumni), tracking long-term outcomes, maintaining up-to-date contact information, and supporting continued engagement beyond program completion.
General Education and Administration:
• Supports field trips and educational programming, as needed, as part of the School Programs and Partnerships team.
• Supports School Programs events such as Family Nights and contributes to the refinement and development of offsite programming to ensure lessons are standards-aligned, experiential, and hands-on.
• Manages budgets, systems, and reporting processes for experiential learning initiatives.
Other:
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises Facilitator of Experiential Learning. At times, this position may be responsible for overseeing volunteers.

Core Competencies:
• Communication – Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration –Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability – Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety stand