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Job Description

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.

The University of Washington Botanic Gardens seeks a part-time, temporary, Fiddleheads Forest School Float Teacher for 2025-2026.

**Location:** University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Washington Park Arboretum – Seattle, WA

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 https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/

**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 six. 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, the Forest School 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 position will serve to support teachers and students in Fiddleheads, our nature preschool. This will include subbing for teachers, acting as a third teacher classroom teacher when necessary, assisting with cleaning and managing gear and materials, assisting with classroom maintenance, and will support administrative staff in office tasks. This position is for 25 hours per week, typically M-F from 8:15-1:15 and includes some evenings and weekends for special school events. This is a salaried position.

Key Responsibilities

+ Help 3-6 year olds discover and develop a relationship with the natural environment by assisting students with established activities using items found in nature, while modeling healthy engagement with the environment, positive social interaction and self-regulation, and curiosity for the natural world. Ensure the health, safety and well-being of students through overview, site surveys and risk assessment. (30%)

+ 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. (15%)

+ 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. (20%)

+ Assist in efficient preparation, organization, and maintenance of teaching supplies and materials including regular cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting according to health guidelines. (20%)

+ Assist with classroom maintenance. (10%)

+ Other related duties as assigned. (5%)

**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.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and any additional requirements listed below.

Minimum Qualifications

+ High school graduation or equivalent AND two years of full-time clerical experience.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Preferred Qualifications

+ One year of experience working with early learners in a formal setting AND authorization to work in a licensed early childcare setting in the State of Washington.

+ Excellent communication skills and ability to work outdoors in all types of weather.

+ Associate’s Degree or formal training in early childhood education, environmental education, or related areas.

+ Experience working with diverse and neurodiverse learners. Creativity, flexibility and understanding necessary for working with children, parents and staff members.

Working Conditions

Flexible work hours include occasional evening and weekend work.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$44,256.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$54,732.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-temporary-per-diem-and-less-than-half-time/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a temporary position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

62.50%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

SEIU Local 925 Nonsupervisory

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://hr.uw.edu/eoaa/) . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.