Careers & Opportunities

The Seasonal Safety Assistant plays a vital role in the Bartram’s mission by patrolling the 50+ acre site and taking those steps necessary to help to maintain a safe and welcoming park for all. The position reports to the Safety Coordinator.

Core Responsibilities: 

• Patrol Bartram’s Garden’s premises during assigned hours and all large-scale events.
• Greet guests in a friendly and positive manner with genuine concern for all people in the park.
• Responsible for engaging visitors and others who are present on the premises in a wide range of situations and providing support or assistance, including de-escalation of potential conflict. This may include interacting with the unhoused and others who may require support or assistance.
• Educating visitors on City Park Rules and Regulations and assisting visitors with park information.
• Approach all people with respect and dignity including those in violation of City Park Rules and Regulations. Inform them of the violation and encourage voluntary observance when appropriate and safe to do so.
• Follow established protocols and procedures to address issues of safety or security, including engaging with law enforcement and public health professionals as appropriate.

• Complete written reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, accidents, safety and fire hazards, and other public safety related situations.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Certification in CPR/AED and First Aid required or provided.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work well as part of a team and without supervision.
• Frequent standing for extended periods of time; frequent walking up and down hills on uneven terrain; lifting, pushing, and pulling objects up to 40 lbs.
• Work outdoors for the entirety of each shift in all weather conditions, after dark, and frequent evenings and weekends. 
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with emphasis on emotional intelligence, de-escalation, and conflict resolution.
• Ability to stay calm and alert under pressure, in fast-paced and changing environments.
• Ability to effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, and religion.
• Experience working in communities of color, commitment to racial, economic, environmental, and social justice.
• Comfortable without on-site backup and interacting with law enforcement. 
• Openness to personal growth and new experiences.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Personal or professional familiarity with Southwest Philadelphia
• Minimum of 2 years security experience

Schedule and Compensation

This is a part-time, non-exempt, seasonal position with a weekly schedule ranging from 16 to 35 hours from September through the end of the season in December. The Seasonal Safety Assistant will be required to work weekends, holidays, and late nights. Compensation for this position is $19 per hour paid on a bi-weekly basis. Benefits include paid sick leave.

Application Information

To apply, please send your resume along with a brief note describing your interest in the position to . Only those whose applications are being considered will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Bartram’s Garden recognizes the value of promoting a diverse workforce. All individuals, including those from historically under-represented groups, are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, any form of personal or professional connections to Southwest Philadelphia will be considered a plus for all applicants. If desired, applicants are invited to reflect in their cover letter or other written statement on how their professional and lived experiences position them for their requested role.

About Bartram’s Garden:
Bartram’s Garden is a 50+acre public garden in Southwest Philadelphia, situated on Lenape territory on the banks of the tidal Schuylkill River. It is a venue for art, access to the tidal river and wetlands, outdoor classroom and living laboratory. Bartram’s Garden attempts to hold the long legacy of the land with a commitment to learn and share a more complete truth about its plants and the people who grow them.

The mission of the John Bartram Association is to create equitable relationships among people and nature through immersive, community-driven experiences that activate the Bartram legacy, Garden, and House, on land and on the Schuylkill River, in Southwest Philadelphia. The garden was founded in 1728 by John Bartram, whose passion for plants and the natural world continues to nurture and inspire horticulturists and nature lovers from all walks of life. Located in Southwest Philadelphia, the 50-acre public historic garden is preserved, enhanced, and maintained by the John Bartram Association as America’s oldest surviving botanic garden in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Philadelphia.

Today, Bartram’s Garden offers opportunities for visitors to connect with and learn about plants, nature, history, art, and science. It encompasses the 1731 Bartram house and farm buildings, historic garden, reclamation meadow, tidal wetlands, community farm, recreational trails, and the Schuylkill riverfront with its ADA accessible public boat dock.

For ten years, Bartram’s Garden has been working to build its local Southwest focused programs and strengthen its local community partnerships. Continuing to broaden and deepen these relationships and build sustaining relationships with families, local institutions, churches, schools, and academic institutions utilizing the Bartram legacy as inspiration for learning and environmental stewardship is at the heart of our vision for a great civic common and river garden. The garden is amid transformation, with opportunities for growth and renewal. With the construction of the Bartram’s Mile Trail and the first major house and garden restoration in nearly a century, the profile and visitation at Bartram’s Garden has increased. Capitalizing on this momentum, we are planning a future riverfront restoration, freshwater mussel hatchery, and climate resistance field station. These opportunities are focused on building our capacity to serve as Southwest Philadelphia largest neighborhood city park, expanding our role as an anchor community space and cultural asset.