Nature Connection, Environmental Stewardship

Position: Nature Educator
Organization: Earth Path
Location: Just Food Farm, 2391 Pepin Court, Gloucester (east Ottawa)

• Start Date: January 4th, 2025
• Schedule: Part-time
• Wage: $19 - $21/hr depending on experience

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

Earth Path is a non-profit organization based in the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, or so-called Ottawa region. Since 2013 we have been dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships between people and the natural world through transformative nature programs. We offer these programs for people from all walks of life, including youth, teens, adults, educators, families, and schools.

This position is available to people interested in picking up shifts on a casual basis when we need a supply staff on program. There will also be opportunities for longer stretches of employment if desired.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Co-facilitate Earth Path’s programs for children ages 4-14;
• Design and lead engaging activities with a focus on fostering the children’s nature connection and environmental stewardship, nurturing curiosity and creativity, supporting their positive social/emotional/physical development, developing an understanding of local ecology; and building wilderness skills;
• Maintain an inclusive, supportive, and safe space for all participants;
• Assist children with meeting their physical needs, such as bathrooming, dealing with biting insects, and other complaints they might have;
• Assist with the collection of necessary registration and legal forms, and maintain accurate attendance records with the daily attendance sheet;
• Engage with parents during drop-off and pick-up, as needed;
• Debrief with colleagues at the end of each camp day, tracking children’s growth and challenges, and co-plan next class;
• Document “wow moments” by taking photos and noting significant events/quotes and share them with our Social Media Coordinator;
• Report any incidents of concern to the Executive Director and Program Director (safety, harassment);
• Show up on time and prepared;
• Be part of Earth Path’s culture of feedback: open to giving, receiving, and integrating feedback from colleagues and participants, and confronting challenges/conflict in a respectful, caring way;

PREFERRED QUALITIES

• Established naturalist knowledge-base or an interest in developing naturalist knowledge (edible and medicinal plants, wildlife tracking, bird language, ecology, etc.) ;

• Experience in teachable wilderness skills, or an interest in learning teachable wilderness skills (e.g. whittling, cordage-making, shelter-building, fire-building, etc.);
• Experience working with children and a basic understanding of their stages of development;
• Ability to assess and manage risk in an outdoor environment;
• Open to learning, sharing ideas, and receiving feedback;
• Resilient and adaptable, able to remain positive and engaged in uncomfortable or stressful situations such as: inclement weather, getting wet/dirty, dealing with insects, and exploring off-trail through thick vegetation;

SPECIFICATIONS

• Valid Vulnerable Sector Check is required prior to contract start;
• Valid Standard First Aid and CPR certification required prior to contract start;

TO APPLY

If interested in joining our team, please submit your resume and cover letter to our Program Director, Brent, at brent@earthpath.ca .

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

Please be prepared to provide 2 references if you are contacted for an interview. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.