Education & Community Engagement Manager
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, Gilroy, California, us, 95021
Position Summary
Education & Community Engagement Manager
Organization:
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
Job Title:
Education & Community Engagement Manager
Reports To:
Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)
Department:
Education, Community Partnerships & Advancement
Compensation Type:
Full-Time, Exempt
Salary Range:
$85,000 — $100,000 (commensurate with experience)
Benefits:
Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage; Professional development
FLSA Classification:
Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY
The Education & Community Engagement Manager leads the design, expansion, and execution of all mission-based educational programming at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. This includes curriculum development, youth learning programs, adult education initiatives, docent leadership, community partnerships, and interpretive storytelling aligned with the park’s horticultural and environmental themes.
Reporting directly to the
Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) , this role plays a central part in strengthening Gilroy Gardens’ identity as a nonprofit organization dedicated to horticulture, sustainability, environmental education, and community enrichment. The position collaborates closely with Marketing, Operations, Philanthropy, and community stakeholders to elevate Gilroy Gardens’ visibility and impact throughout the region.
This position ensures the park’s unique horticultural heritage, environmental stewardship initiatives, sustainability themes, and educational values are effectively communicated and experienced by guests year-round.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities 1. Educational Program Leadership
Expand learning opportunities beyond Natural Science Days to create
year-round STEAM, horticulture, sustainability, and environmental literacy programs .
Develop curriculum-aligned lesson plans consistent with California K–12 educational standards.
Create engaging and age-appropriate experiences for children, families, seniors, and adult learners.
Oversee all operations within the
Green Barn , serving as the park’s primary educational venue.
2. Interpretive Storytelling & Exhibit Development
Maintain, update, and enhance key educational exhibits including:
Monarch Butterfly Green House
Hydroponics Garden
Redwood Area
Circus Trees
Develop and install engaging
interpretive signage
that highlights horticulture, sustainability, conservation, and the park’s nonprofit mission.
Collaborate with the Marketing team to integrate educational messaging into digital content, guest communications, and on-site materials.
3. Community & School Partnerships
Build and grow relationships with:
School districts
Educators and administrators
Youth programs
Senior groups
Community-based organizations
Promote field trips, educator resources, and large-scale group educational experiences.
Represent Gilroy Gardens at education and community-focused meetings, conferences, and outreach events.
4. Docent & Volunteer Program Leadership
Revitalize, expand, and supervise the docent program, ensuring volunteers are trained, informed, supported, and recognized.
Recruit, schedule, and manage seasonal educators and program assistants.
Provide training and ongoing supervision to ensure consistency and quality across all learning programs.
5. Program Operations & Delivery
Serve as the on-site leader during all educational program days.
Facilitate field trips, tours, workshops, and hands-on environmental learning experiences.
Coordinate with Group Sales and Operations for large-scale educational events.
Ensure all programming meets safety, accessibility, and guest satisfaction standards.
6. Program Evaluation & Impact Reporting
Track and analyze program participation, educational outcomes, engagement levels, and guest feedback.
Prepare reports to support the CAO, Fundraising, Board committees, and grant reporting needs.
Provide data and storytelling for fundraising, stewardship, and donor relations.
Job Requirements Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in education, Environmental Science, Horticulture, Museum Studies, Child Development, or a related field.
Master’s degree preferred.
4–7 years of experience in educational program development, museum/park education, environmental education, or youth programming.
Experience working with K–12 schools, educators, and diverse communities preferred.
Skills & Competencies
Strong understanding of STEAM learning, environmental stewardship, sustainability, and horticultural themes.
Demonstrated experience in curriculum design, program management, and interpretive storytelling.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Strong project management, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
Ability to lead programs in outdoor environments and adapt to varying weather conditions.
Physical Demands
Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the park for extended periods.
Occasionally required to lift or carry up to 30 pounds (educational materials, signage, equipment).
Frequent interaction with guests, educators, docents, volunteers, and community partners.
Work Environment
Work is conducted both indoors (planning, development, administration) and outdoors (program delivery, guest engagement).
Must be available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as required by programming schedules.
Exposure to varying weather conditions throughout the year.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervises seasonal educators, program assistants, part-time staff, and volunteer docents.
Manages staff scheduling, training, leadership, and performance expectations.
Acknowledgement & Acceptance This job description outlines primary responsibilities but does not encompass all duties that may be assigned. Duties may be modified or expanded based on organizational needs.
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Organization:
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
Job Title:
Education & Community Engagement Manager
Reports To:
Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)
Department:
Education, Community Partnerships & Advancement
Compensation Type:
Full-Time, Exempt
Salary Range:
$85,000 — $100,000 (commensurate with experience)
Benefits:
Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage; Professional development
FLSA Classification:
Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY
The Education & Community Engagement Manager leads the design, expansion, and execution of all mission-based educational programming at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. This includes curriculum development, youth learning programs, adult education initiatives, docent leadership, community partnerships, and interpretive storytelling aligned with the park’s horticultural and environmental themes.
Reporting directly to the
Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) , this role plays a central part in strengthening Gilroy Gardens’ identity as a nonprofit organization dedicated to horticulture, sustainability, environmental education, and community enrichment. The position collaborates closely with Marketing, Operations, Philanthropy, and community stakeholders to elevate Gilroy Gardens’ visibility and impact throughout the region.
This position ensures the park’s unique horticultural heritage, environmental stewardship initiatives, sustainability themes, and educational values are effectively communicated and experienced by guests year-round.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities 1. Educational Program Leadership
Expand learning opportunities beyond Natural Science Days to create
year-round STEAM, horticulture, sustainability, and environmental literacy programs .
Develop curriculum-aligned lesson plans consistent with California K–12 educational standards.
Create engaging and age-appropriate experiences for children, families, seniors, and adult learners.
Oversee all operations within the
Green Barn , serving as the park’s primary educational venue.
2. Interpretive Storytelling & Exhibit Development
Maintain, update, and enhance key educational exhibits including:
Monarch Butterfly Green House
Hydroponics Garden
Redwood Area
Circus Trees
Develop and install engaging
interpretive signage
that highlights horticulture, sustainability, conservation, and the park’s nonprofit mission.
Collaborate with the Marketing team to integrate educational messaging into digital content, guest communications, and on-site materials.
3. Community & School Partnerships
Build and grow relationships with:
School districts
Educators and administrators
Youth programs
Senior groups
Community-based organizations
Promote field trips, educator resources, and large-scale group educational experiences.
Represent Gilroy Gardens at education and community-focused meetings, conferences, and outreach events.
4. Docent & Volunteer Program Leadership
Revitalize, expand, and supervise the docent program, ensuring volunteers are trained, informed, supported, and recognized.
Recruit, schedule, and manage seasonal educators and program assistants.
Provide training and ongoing supervision to ensure consistency and quality across all learning programs.
5. Program Operations & Delivery
Serve as the on-site leader during all educational program days.
Facilitate field trips, tours, workshops, and hands-on environmental learning experiences.
Coordinate with Group Sales and Operations for large-scale educational events.
Ensure all programming meets safety, accessibility, and guest satisfaction standards.
6. Program Evaluation & Impact Reporting
Track and analyze program participation, educational outcomes, engagement levels, and guest feedback.
Prepare reports to support the CAO, Fundraising, Board committees, and grant reporting needs.
Provide data and storytelling for fundraising, stewardship, and donor relations.
Job Requirements Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in education, Environmental Science, Horticulture, Museum Studies, Child Development, or a related field.
Master’s degree preferred.
4–7 years of experience in educational program development, museum/park education, environmental education, or youth programming.
Experience working with K–12 schools, educators, and diverse communities preferred.
Skills & Competencies
Strong understanding of STEAM learning, environmental stewardship, sustainability, and horticultural themes.
Demonstrated experience in curriculum design, program management, and interpretive storytelling.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Strong project management, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
Ability to lead programs in outdoor environments and adapt to varying weather conditions.
Physical Demands
Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the park for extended periods.
Occasionally required to lift or carry up to 30 pounds (educational materials, signage, equipment).
Frequent interaction with guests, educators, docents, volunteers, and community partners.
Work Environment
Work is conducted both indoors (planning, development, administration) and outdoors (program delivery, guest engagement).
Must be available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as required by programming schedules.
Exposure to varying weather conditions throughout the year.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervises seasonal educators, program assistants, part-time staff, and volunteer docents.
Manages staff scheduling, training, leadership, and performance expectations.
Acknowledgement & Acceptance This job description outlines primary responsibilities but does not encompass all duties that may be assigned. Duties may be modified or expanded based on organizational needs.
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