Summer jobs, Student jobs

Position: Camp Leader - Summer Camp
Type: age 30 & under / summer
Organization: Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA)
Location: Vancouver, BC

Organization Overview

The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) is the joint operating partner - with the City of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (Park Board) - of VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. Our mission is to engage people of all ages and walks of life in the importance of biodiversity to our lives, and to foster a lifelong love of plants and gardens by virtue of their participation in our programs and services.  Situated in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded Ancestral shared lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre urban green space, an ideal location for connecting with nature. 

The VBGA welcomes eligible applicants from any location for this in-person role; candidates unfamiliar with Vancouver and surrounding areas are encouraged to explore tourist attractions, cultural events, and programs through sites such as https://www.destinationvancouver.com/ and https://www.hellobc.com/places-to-go/vancouver/. 

The VBGA is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities. 

Position Overview

Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association is seeking Camp Leaders to plan and deliver nature-based Summer Camps for children ages 5-10 at VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. VBGA Camps promote environmental stewardship and a love of the natural world through a fun blend of science, gardening, games, crafts and garden exploration. Visit our website to learn more about our programs at https://vandusengarden.org/learn/camps/. 

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver full-day, nature-themed day camps to children ages 5 to 10
• Follow VBGA’s health and safety protocols to ensure the wellbeing of all participants
• Provide campers with a safe, educational, fun, and meaningful experience
• Supervise and mentor a team of Volunteers and Junior Counselors
• Ensure that the campers are signed in and out by their parents/guardians
• Help to maintain and prepare program materials, supplies, and facilities
• Oversee activity preparation, cleanup, and daily cleaning and sanitation
• Perform standard First Aid procedures, group management practices, etc.
• Complete effective documentation of incidents, accidents, behavioural concerns, etc.
• Communicate effectively with parents/guardians regarding day-to-day camper experiences
• Liaise with the Youth Programs team and other VBGA Education staff

Qualifications and Experience

• Some post-secondary education and/or background in education, interpretation, ecology, biology, First Nations or Indigenous Studies or similar
• Proficient in basic computer skills; knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Cloud-Based Storage preferred (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneDrive)
• Ability to write and speak fluently in English
• Comfortable and experienced with delivering educational programs to a variety of audiences and experience overseeing youth aged 5 – 10, preferably in a camp setting
• Experience planning and developing activities for groups of school-aged children
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions with a positive attitude
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully as part of a team
• Clear, recent Criminal Records Check/Police Information Check incl. Vulnerable Sectors (or willingness to obtain prior to start)
• Valid Standard First Aid Certification incl. CPR-C and AED (or willingness to obtain prior to start)

Eligibility

This is a grant-funded position; to be eligible you must be:

• Between 16 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada
• Legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid Social Insurance Number)

Based on funding priorities from Canada Summer Jobs, ECO Canada, and Young Canada Works, as well as our organization’s mission and values, we highly encourage applications from equity-seeking groups and youth facing barriers.

Contract Length Full-time Monday to Friday from May 26th - August 26th 2025 (13.5 weeks)*

*Possible extension for August 28th-31st to assist with 50th Anniversary events/programming

Wage $22.00 per hour (8 hours per day; 40 hours per week) + 4% in lieu of vacation

Contact Natasha Friedmann (she/they), Youth Programs Manager - nfriedmann@vandusen.org

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Please submit your resume and cover letter by email before 11:59pm Pacific time on March 30th, 2025. Interviews may begin before the deadline on a rolling basis; the posting will remain open until the position has been filled. Thank you for your interest; please do not follow up on your application once submitted, as only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by our team.