Enchanted Garden Instructor

HCLS is seeking a highly motivated Enchanted Garden Instructor to join our team!

The Enchanted Garden is a sustainable, community-based teaching garden for all ages located adjacent to HCLS Miller Branch and Historical Center. The demonstration gardening area features a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers planted in raised beds and along the perimeter. The food grown in the garden is donated to the Howard County Food Bank.

You will provide extraordinary learning experiences and ensure the beauty and abundance of the HCLS Enchanted Garden! In your hands, the garden becomes an outdoor classroom providing students of all ages with hands-on gardening experiences to learn about food, nutrition, sustainable gardening practices, ecology, and wildlife. You will work with volunteers and community partners to grow and maintain the garden.

You embrace, promote, and maintain an environment of inclusion, diversity, and you demonstrate respect and work for your colleagues and customers. Our remarkable team is committed to education that aids in the dismantling of unjust systems and creating a more equitable and just society for all people. As such, we work to ensure that this mission achieves our racial and social equity goals in all that we do.

We offer a friendly, collaborative work environment and a generous benefits package including 15 paid holidays and your birthday off.

Who You Are:

• You love gardening
• You work collaboratively with others to create new and exciting garden classes and events
• You create a memorable garden experience for the community
• You are a lifelong learner and enjoy teaching others about the many facets of the Enchanted Garden
• You are energetic and inspire fun
• You are comfortable presenting to a crowd and are a teacher at heart
• You motivate others to be curious and learn about gardening

Essential Duties:

• Oversee the design, production, maintenance, and preservation of the Enchanted Garden
• Plan, design, and teach classes in the Enchanted Garden on gardening, environmental education, and nutritional literacy for children, teens, and adults
• Collaborate with HCLS Instructors to plan, design, and teach gardening, environmental education, and nutritional literacy classes in branches and online
• Coordinate educational opportunities with community groups, clubs, agencies, and interested garden volunteers
• Direct and oversee the work of the garden maintenance staff
• Ensure the application of environmentally sound horticultural practices
• Train volunteers and staff on use of garden and safety, and maintenance procedures
• Work with designated landscape design and landscape installation firms for any garden features that may require their consultation and services
• Work with staff on identification and placement of memorial donation items in the garden
• Contribute to planning the annual budget, manage the budget, and order supplies, tools, and equipment
• Ensure displays are attractive, plentiful, and current; participate in collection maintenance and shelf-reading assignments
• Assist customers with basic computer skills, internet searching, downloading e-books, using e-resources, and operating copy/fax center equipment
• Recommend reading, viewing, or listening materials with expertise and passion
• Create loyal customers through exemplary customer service and expert reference assistance
• Work at any HCLS Research Desk, as needed 
• Serve as a passport acceptance agent when required
• Host engaging HCLS Branch tours showcasing services, events, and products
• Reach out to the community with meaningful events that raise awareness of HCLS services, including e-resources and loanable technology
• Plan, teach, and facilitate participatory events, seminars, and workshops for the public
• Visit schools to teach A+ Partners in Education classes, promote books, and provide instructional resources for students and staff
• Support and collaborate with other instructors and customer service team
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned
• Participate in professional training and development
• Participate in special events in the community
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance
• Adhere to all policies and procedures

We are guided by these shared values:

• We are your place to learn, connect, and grow.
• We contribute to achieving HCLS' racial and social equity goals. Please view the Brave Voices, Brave Choices initiative.
• We advance HCLS' educational mission, effectively communicating our curriculum, which comprises Three Pillars (Self-Directed Education, Research Assistance & Instruction, Instructive & Enlightening Experiences)

• Four-year college degree; Preferred degree in biology, botany, horticulture, environmental science, earth science or a related subject
• Demonstrated garden-related knowledge and experience
• Demonstrated professional experience in local food, agriculture, gardening, or community gardening
• Ability to work effectively with others to plan and implement curriculum and services
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders including multiple partner agencies/organizations, elected officials, community supporters, staff, and volunteers
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Tech savvy – ability to use programs/processes such as Internet, electronic databases, office applications, as well as other library related programs
•  Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, Ecological Gardener, or Permaculture Design certifications preferred 
• Current valid driver’s license

Your job at the library will be active:

• You need to stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, reach, and push/pull a cart
• In addition, strenuous activity is required, such as carrying bags or boxes of books or arranging rooms for classes and events.
• Some driving may be required.

Additional Information

• Position currently located at the Miller Branch
• Works under the supervision of the Miller Branch Manager
• Full-time: 37.50 hours per week, Monday – Saturday, including two nights per week, alternating Fridays and Saturdays, and a maximum of two Sundays per month; evenings and weekends required for HCLS signature events
• May be required to participate in LATI (Library Associate Training Institute)
• Grade 8; Salary range $49,760 - $87,254 /year
• Position closes Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 4 PM

EEO STATEMENT

Howard County’s diversity is its greatest asset. Howard County Library System embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. All communities, including communities of color and immigrant communities, are fundamental to our spirit of service, workforce and long-term success. Equity and empowerment are top priorities. We believe all Howard County residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. Among our goals is for our workforce to reflect the community it serves. We are actively working to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Howard County Library System takes pride in providing equal employment opportunities.