Job Description: Greenhouse and Ecology Program Coordinator

Full-time position to begin August 2026

Overview

The Greenhouse and Ecology Coordinator will lead the implementation and ongoing refinement of a 5–12 ecology program in collaboration with the Head of the Science Department. This role balances expert facility management with visionary program development, ensuring that our green spaces, including the greenhouse and rooftop gardens, serve as hubs for inquiry, agency, and stewardship. The Coordinator will create meaningful opportunities for students to apply ecological knowledge in entrepreneurial and community-facing contexts, including sustainable food production and partnerships that extend learning beyond campus.

This role ensures that our green spaces are not just gardens, but vibrant, "living laboratories" where students engage in hands-on scientific inquiry and sustainability practices. The Coordinator reports to the Head of the Science Department.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop engaging, developmentally appropriate experiences that help students understand ecological systems, sustainability practices, and human–environment interactions.
• Create structures that enable teachers across grade levels to incorporate plant-based, outdoor, or ecological components into their existing curricula.
• Manage the scheduling, safety, and instructional use of the greenhouse and rooftop gardens; maintain the health and productivity of hydroponics and other ecological installations.
• Build and sustain partnerships with NYC organizations, field sites, and environmental groups to enrich student learning beyond the campus.

• Lead the EcoFellows Program, supporting project planning and ensuring strong alignment with the school’s ecology vision.
• Provide consistent mentorship to Grades 10–12 EcoFellows as they design and implement long-term projects.
• Design meaningful opportunities for fellows to share their work publicly and to collaborate with experts beyond Spence.

• Teach or co-teach ecology-related courses and greenhouse-based experiences as needed.
• Serve as a primary mentor for students 5-12, conducting independent or small-group ecological research, fostering a culture of curiosity and scientific rigor.

• Coordinate with Facilities teams, Science faculty, and the Director of Teaching & Learning to ensure seamless program integration.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for ecology programming, communicating goals and updates to families and the wider school community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success in school-based or community-based ecology, sustainability, or environmental education.
• Hands-on experience with greenhouses, rooftop agriculture, or controlled-environment growing systems (e.g., hydroponics).
• Finds joy in working with children and in school life 
• Leads with energy, kindness, and a sense of humor
• Demonstrates cultural competency and skills engaging with and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Shows an appreciation for the craft of teaching
• Demonstrates ability to foster sustained collaboration and professional growth within a community

The Spence School is committed to fostering an equitable program and a diverse faculty and student body. We actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

About The Spence School

The Spence School, founded in 1892, is an independent school for girls and young women with an enrollment of 750 students in Grades K–12. Spence is committed to an equitable and inclusive program and a diverse faculty, staff and student body. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

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