Education and Garden Assistant in the Kentucky Children's Garden

Job Title
Education and Garden Assistant in the Kentucky Children's Garden

Requisition Number
DU14351

Department Name
81115:Arboretum

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Salary Range
$14.00

Type of Position
Student

Position Time Status
Part-Time

Required Education

High School graduate, currently attending UK with college-level coursework in early childhood education, horticulture and/or a related environmental field.

Required Related Experience

Personal or professional experience working with young children, gardening and/or customer service.
An interest in the environment, plants, education, sustainability and/or outdoor activities.

Required License/Registration/Certification

N/A

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs. regularly and 50 lbs. occasionally, work out of doors in varying weather conditions including rain and low and high temperatures, be able to stand for extended periods of time and be a fluent English speaker.

Shift

You must be available to work from the last week of March to the beginning of November.
You must be available to work on weekdays and Saturdays.
This position will work 8-12 hours per week during the spring and fall semesters and 28 hours per week in the summer.

Job Summary

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment The Arboretum Kentucky Children’s Garden
Assisting with educational programming and garden interpretation for children ages 2-10.
Planting and maintaining gardens.
Providing a welcoming atmosphere and excellent customer service to all visitors.
Enforcing the rules and policies of the garden in a polite manner.
Operating model trains in the garden.
General insect husbandry.
Creating informational signage.
Taking photos for social media and writing social media posts.
Other duties as assigned.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Requirements:
A successful applicant will be courteous, prompt, responsible, self-starting, outgoing and comfortable working either independently, or in a team with children and adults outdoors.
Must have reliable transportation.
Eligible for internship credit – applicant is responsible for arranging for internship credit with academic coordinator.
Must be a UK student.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No

Preferred Education/Experience

College-level courses on early childhood development, horticulture and/or a related environmental field.

Deadline to Apply
03/13/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.