OUTDOOR EDUCATION / NATURALIST

Hiring: Ecoforest Outdoor Educator/Naturalist at Wildwood

Type: age 30 & under
Project: Wildwood Ecoforest / Ecoforestry Institute Society
Location: 2929 Crane Rd, Ladysmith, near Duncan & Nanaimo BC (Vancouver Island)

Length of position: permanent (1 year or more subject to funding)
Start Date:  Immediate 
Compensation: $23.00
Hours: 20-30 hrs/week (with some possible work on weekends)
Requirements: applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30 by the start of employment, be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.

Apply: Please submit a cover letter, or short video highlighting your interest and abilities in this role, along with a resume to: admin@ecoforestry.ca . Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

Hiring Process: Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis
Closing date: Open until filled

About Ecoforestry Institute Society & Wildwood

The Ecoforestry Institute Society (EIS) is a registered non-profit, charitable society composed of a volunteer Board and a strong core of community volunteers. Together, we are dedicated to the principles and practices of ecoforestry. EIS is the Trustee of Wildwood Ecoforest and holds the property on behalf of the people of British Columbia.

Wildwood is an 83-acre ecoforest nestled along the shores of Quennell Lake just north of Ladysmith, British Columbia. It lies within the traditional territories of the Stz’uminus and Snuneymuxw Coast Salish First Nations. A rare and unique demonstration ecoforest, Wildwood is home to a good many original Coastal Douglas-firs, as well as mixed succession forest of Alder, Big Leaf maple and Western Red Cedar, representing a vanishing ecosystem once abundant on Vancouver Island.

Job Culture

Ecoforestry Institute Society values a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we collaborate with and serve. We encourage applications from underrepresented communities including racialized persons, Indigenous persons,  persons identifying as LGBTQ+, and all those who contribute to our diverse community.

Job Description

The Outdoor educator/Naturalist will work with the Education Coordinator to run interpretive ecoforestry and ecology based school workshops, summer camps, events and public tours at Wildwood Ecoforest. The bulk of this role will be offering ecoforestry day camps for children ages 5-9.

Duties include:

• Co-delivering inclusive, placed based ecoforestry camps to children ages 5-9
• Co-delivering school programs, public tours, events, and workshops as needed
• Taking registrations for events, tours and camps
• Contributing or writing natural history articles
• Creating natural history videos and social media posts
• Assisting in program development, adaptation and program evaluation
• Communicating with parents, volunteer Nature Guides, community organizations
• Communicating regularly with and reporting to the Education Coordinator
• Program prep, set up, clean up and maintenance of program supplies including setting up tents, tables and signs
• Tracking/recording program stats
• Other duties as needed.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications:

• Education (enrolled or recent graduate) relevant to the environmental sector (environmental studies, biology, forestry, ecological restoration, resource management, etc.).
• Related paid or volunteer experience working outdoors as an interpreter/park naturalist or similar position
• Experience working with kids ages 5-10
• Knowledge and passion for the natural environment in BC.
• Physical fitness to handle an active summer of work on your feet, in variable weather conditions with some heavy lifting.
• Good working knowledge of botany and wildlife native to Vancouver Island
• Able to work from a home office when not delivering programs
• Familiar with MS Office suite or equivalent Mac programs
• Demonstrated experience working well independently and in a team environment
• Able to take initiative and problem solve effectively
• Experience delivering engaging, informative, inspiring interpretive/environmental education programs to public and school aged children using interpretive techniques
• Experience communicating with the public in a professional manner
• Willing and able to work shift work with a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends
• Willing and able to work in an isolated location
• Must have own transportation to and from work
• Must submit a valid criminal record check as a condition of employment
• Level 1 First Aid Certification an asset 

Assets:

• Knowledge of ecoforestry or forestry practices
• Experience working or volunteering in a non-profit setting
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and ways of Knowing

Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, or short video highlighting your interest and abilities in this role, along with a resume to: education@ecoforestry.ca . Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

Thank you for taking the time to apply.

With great respect and humility, we acknowledge and honour the lands of the Stz’uminus, Snuneymuxw and Snaw-Naw-As peoples on whose territories Wildwood Ecoforest is situated. The Stz’uminus, Snuneymuxw and Snaw-Naw-As Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking peoples maintain their profound, unique and spiritual connection to the Land through ageless traditions, teachings, stewardship and expressions of reciprocity.