2022 Summer River Programs Assistant at Bartram’s Garden
Bartram’s Garden is looking for a River Programs Assistant to assist with our boating, fishing and water quality monitoring programs this summer. Bartram’s Garden is a 45-acre public park in Southwest Philadelphia that is on the banks of the Schuylkill River.
This position is part of the Delaware River Watershed Fellowship, a professional development opportunity designed to introduce young adults (approx 20 – 25) from local communities to careers in environmental education.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist with running our free, walk up kayaking, rowboating and fishing programs
- Set up and breakdown of boats, fishing rods, tables & chairs, tents and other supplies/equipment needed to run events
- Ensure safety protocols are followed at all times, both on and off the water
- Help cleaning and maintaining all equipment and the boathouse facility
- Handle paperwork such as waivers and basic data entry
- Greet, orient and give instruction to program participants of all ages
- Create and maintain positive group atmosphere
- Attend weekly staff meetings
- Submission of weekly report and a final project as part of the Delaware River Watershed Fellowship**
Qualifications:
- Ability to lift 50 lbs. and to perform physical tasks in all temperature and weather conditions.
- Kneeling, squatting, standing, and walking for extended periods of time and on uneven ground will be required.
- Ability to work well independently as well as part of a team
- Ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds in terms of ability, age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, and religion
- Good communication skills, dependability, time management
- Prior kayaking, rowing, canoeing experience is not required, however an enthusiasm to learn these skills and share them with others is key
- Prior fishing experience is not required, however an enthusiasm to learn how to fish (including handling bait) and then share these skills with other is important
- Strong swimming skills are preferred, but not required. We can provide access to swim lessons if needed.
- A valid PA driver’s license is preferred, but not required
- Openness to getting dirty, engaging with thousands of visitors, working outdoors in the heat, learning new skills and having new experiences
- Sincere interest in learning more about parks, public space, environmental education and watersheds.
- Personal or professional familiarity with Southwest Philadelphia, Eastwick and/or Grays Ferry is preferred
Clearances and Certification Requirements
- As position involves routine contact with minors, prior to beginning this position, the River programs Assistant will be required to provide the John Bartram Association with the following:
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Check through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- Pennsylvania Criminal History Check through the Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH)
- FBI Criminal History Check
- Certification in CPR/AED and First Aid will be required for this role. If the selected applicant does not currently have these certifications, training will be provided in the first week of employment.
Schedule and Compensation:
- Running from June 6th – August 26th, 2022, this is a full-time seasonal position with an hourly rate of $15 and a weekly schedule of up to 35-40 hours a week. ( Potential to extend position to part-time from August 26 – November 1st.)
- Wednesdays 4 – 9pm, Thursdays 4-9pm and Saturdays 9am – 4pm availability is a must. Days off are Sunday and Monday. Hours on Tuesday and Friday are somewhat flexible, depending on the program and meeting schedule.
- 10 hours a week are set aside for participation in the Delaware River Watershed Fellowship program, which includes training sessions, meetings, opportunities to visit other nature centers, and mentorship throughout the season. In addition the completion of a final project that relates to work completed over the season is required.
Bartram’s Garden Vaccination Policy
As a non-profit organization operating on land owned by the City of Philadelphia and in alignment with City policy, every new employee shall be vaccinated as a condition of employment. Proof, in the form of an official vaccination card or other appropriate medical documentation which demonstrates that the employee has completed their schedule of COVID-19 vaccinations shall be provided to Human Resources prior to the employee’s employment start date. Employees having received one dose of a two-dose series prior to their start date shall have 30 days following their start date to complete their schedule of vaccinations. Prior to completing their vaccination schedule, the new employees will be required to follow the Association’s mask requirements for unvaccinated employees. Exemption requests to this vaccination requirement will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Application Information:
To apply, please send your resume along with a note describing your interest in the position and your experience with swimming, fishing, and/ or boating (if any) to jobs@bartramsgarden.org.
Only those whose applications are being considered will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Bartram’s Garden recognizes the value of promoting a diverse workforce. All individuals, including those from historically under-represented groups, are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, any form of personal or professional connections to Southwest Philadelphia will be considered a plus for all applicants. If desired, applicants are invited to reflect in their cover letter or other written statement on how their professional and lived experiences position them for their requested role.
About Bartram’s Garden
The mission of the John Bartram Association is to create equitable relationships among people and nature through immersive, community-driven experiences that activate the Bartram legacy, Garden, and House, on land and on the Schuylkill River, in Southwest Philadelphia. The garden was founded in 1728 by John Bartram, whose passion for plants and the natural world inspired generations of horticulturists. Located in Southwest Philadelphia, the 45-acre public historic garden is preserved, enhanced, and maintained by the John Bartram Association as America’s oldest botanic garden in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Philadelphia.
Today, Bartram’s Garden offers opportunities for visitors to connect with and learn about plants, nature, history, art, and science. It encompasses the 1731 Bartram house and farm buildings, historic garden, reclamation meadow, tidal wetlands, community farm, recreational trails, and the Schuylkill riverfront with an ADA accessible public boat dock.
Bartram’s Garden has been working to build its local Southwest-focused programs and activities and strengthen its local community partnerships. Continuing to broaden and deepen these relationships and build sustaining relationships with families, local institutions, churches, schools and academic institutions utilizing the Bartram legacy as inspiration for learning and environmental stewardship is at the heart of our vision for a great civic common and river garden. The garden is in the midst of transformation, with unprecedented opportunities for growth and renewal. With the construction of the Bartram’s Mile Trail and first major house and garden restoration in nearly a century, the profile and visitation at Bartram’s Garden has increased immensely. Capitalizing on this momentum, we are about to embark on planning for a riverfront restoration, freshwater mussel hatchery, and a kayak dock expansion among numerous other projects. These opportunities are focused on building our capacity to serve as the outdoor classroom and living room of Southwest Philadelphia, expanding our role as an anchor community open space and cultural asset.