Teacher professional development programs...

Hiring: Teacher Programs Specialist - Education
Organization: Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association
Location: Vancouver BC / Hybrid

Are you a teacher/educator experienced in program & curriculum design, passionate about plants and the environment? We’re looking for a Teacher Programs Specialist excited about inspiring meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature, in one of the most beautiful settings in Vancouver.

About Us

Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) is the joint operating partner of VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory with the Vancouver Park Board; our mission is to engage people in the importance of biodiversity to our lives, and to foster a lifelong love of plants and gardens.

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.

The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) acknowledges that VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory are located on the unceded Ancestral shared lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are honoured to be on the lands where these Nations have lived since time immemorial, and where they continue to maintain stewardship and live in balance with nature. Our work of promoting environmental sustainability and stewardship would not be possible without Indigenous perspectives and  knowledge.

Position Overview
The Teacher Programs Specialist reports to the Assistant Director of Education and is chiefly responsible for the development & implementation of an array of teacher professional development programs & resources that advance the VBGA’s educational mission. The candidate will work to provide quality educational and interpretive nature-based programs and events to early years, primary & secondary school educators, while also contributing to the development of teacher resources within the organization.

Working closely in collaboration with other education program departments, the Teacher Program Specialist will guide the growth of program initiatives, innovate new programs, and implement evolving strategies to support equity and inclusion in our teacher programs.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Coordinate the further development, creation, and implementation of BC Curriculum-aligned teacher professional development courses & nature-based workshops that support early-years, primary, and secondary teacher’s knowledge, teaching practices and pedagogies, across a variety of natural history and botany-related fields
• Facilitate in-person and online teacher workshops in the Garden and Conservatory, in a wide variety of subject areas for district Pro-D days, as well as for private pro-d days during the year, including the development and implementation of a 10-month online teacher series
• Oversee recruitment of speakers and guest instructors, including scheduling and contracting for workshops and course sessions
• Cultivate collaborations with key community organizations and partners with aligned educational goals, including the launch of a Teacher Advisory Circle initiative
• Conduct and analyze evaluations and summarize key findings to assess program participation patterns and trends; in collaboration with other departments, set strategic priorities for program changes or growth
• Collaborate closely with Marketing to promote associated programs/events and to develop strategies for audience expansion
• In alignment with VBGA’s commitment to equity and inclusion (IDEA) and Truth & Reconciliation, explore and implement ideas or strategies that advance the goal of diversifying the voices, perspectives, and representation in our educational programming
• Assist with administrative tasks as required, and work comfortably with a variety of digital programs to develop program materials
• Provide technical support to instructors and participants for synchronous online workshops (Zoom), and in-person classes requiring tech such as AV, mics, cameras, microscopes and educational Apps
• Participate in VBGA-wide events as assigned; strive to exceed guest and program participant expectations and create an exceptional guest experience while visiting the Gardens

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in education, science or a relevant degree in a related field with equivalent demonstrated work experience is required. BC Certified Teacher preferred
• Extensive demonstrated experience or training in adult education, program design and curriculum development
• Proven familiarity with current and innovative environmental and nature-based teaching practices, methods and trends
• Experience developing and writing curriculum-aligned activities and resources for teacher development; familiarity and experience with the BC curriculum and both formal and informal teaching environments
• Must demonstrate exceptional facilitation, interpretation and communication skills with the ability to work well delivering nature-based environmental education both indoors & outdoors, to teaching professionals
• Education and/or practical experience in horticulture, botany, gardening, life or plant sciences, biodiversity, and/or natural history or related fields
• Experience in collaborative project planning, stakeholder engagement, and partnership development
• Proficient in basic computer software such as Microsoft Office suite, Teams, Zoom, Canva. Experience or ability to quickly learn to navigate new programs as needed an asset

Skills & Qualifications

• Dynamic and creative facilitation and interpretation skills
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Exceptional and professional written and verbal communication skills; spoken and written English required. French an asset.
• Outstanding attention to detail, organizational skills and ability to prioritize various responsibilities and requests while meeting deadlines
• Highly adaptable, flexible, and able to work collaboratively as part of a creative team
• Confident using classroom AV equipment such as Smart TVs and microphones; ability to incorporate relevant digital tools such as iNaturalist, eBird, into programming as required
• Adept with online meeting platforms such as Zoom; experience hosting synchronous online adult education an asset
• Dedication to environmental awareness, climate action, conservation and sustainable living
• Experience working in a non-profit or environmental education setting is an asset
• Demonstrated interest & experience in plants, plant science, gardening and biodiversity, through your education, previous employment, or personal pursuits.

Physical & Environmental Factors (In a Typical Workday)
This position primarily involves consistent standard office and computer/desk work. The position frequently involves hands-on outdoor programming in all weather and seasons, on varied surfaces, as well as preparation, clean-up, and maintenance of workshop materials. The employee should be prepared for light, active physical work as a regular component of the workday when facilitating.

Work Schedule & Duration

• 21 hours per week, Monday-Friday (work schedule and days to be negotiated)
• Must be available to work onsite in alignment with school district Pro-D days (typically Mon and Fri)
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required
• Contract term: 2025 - 2027

What We Offer

• $28-30/hr + 3 weeks vacation (prorated for part time)
• Paid time off during office closure from Dec 25 - Jan 1
• Supportive work culture, flexible work week
• Opportunities for professional development
• Chance to make a difference and create positive change in your community

Application Guidelines

Submit your resume and cover letter by February 10th by 5pm PST to:

VBGA Recruitment
hiring@vandusen.org

PDF format with subject line: First & Last Name_Teacher Programs Specialist Resume and/or Cover Letter

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We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.