Environmental education, Food and climate education

Position: Environmental Education Coordinator
Organization: Ecosource
Location: Mississauga, Ontario L5R 2N4

Ecosource is seeking: Environmental Education Coordinator

Full time, contract position at 35 hours per week; February to November 2025

Who we are:

Ecosource is an innovative environmental organization that empowers the community to become more environmentally responsible through creative public education. We specialize in hands-on programming that aims to increase environmental sustainability in Peel Region and beyond. Learn more about our work at ecosource.ca.

The position:

Ecosource is seeking an Environmental Education Coordinator to design and facilitate creative hands-on climate education programming for community members of various ages at our Community Climate Hub, a facility that includes an outdoor classroom, community garden, and teaching kitchen. The coordinator will work in close collaboration with the Ecosource team to engage community members in outdoor play & discovery, cooking and gardening with local food, and hands-on environmental learning. A focus of the role will be the development of a weekly nature play workshop series for children 0-5 years old and their caregivers in collaboration with our local partners. The coordinator will also create and facilitate curriculum-linked, climate-themed field trip opportunities for children in kindergarten and grade1. During the summer months, the successful candidate will support the planning and implementation of our day camp program for children and youth ages 6 to 14.

Responsibilities:

• Develop educational climate-themed workshops and events for community members of all ages, including children 0 to 5 years old and their families, school-aged children, and youth.
• Coordinate 7 weeks of Ecosource’s EcoStart Day Camp program for children ages 6 to10 from July to August, as well as develop a pilot camp week for youth aged 11 to 14.
• Collaborate with team members and partners on the development of creative environmental education programming, including age-appropriate environmental learning, harvesting/planting activities, cooking sessions, games, and crafts.
• Maintain Ecosource's outdoor classroom and community garden to ensure it is a safe and accessible learning centre for residents of all ages.
• Work as part of a team to create a safe and inclusive environment for community members of all backgrounds and varying needs using an anti-racism and anti-oppression lens.
• Support program communications with participants, counsellors, campers’ families, and community partners.
• Schedule and facilitate occasional programming that will take place offsite including nature walks, activities at public parks, urban agriculture sites, and other excursions.
• Assist with the development and administration of program tracking & evaluation tools and provide recommendations for ongoing improvements.
• Assist with other organizational environmental education related events, workshops, and programming as required.

Qualifications:

• Energetic and creative person with an ability to connect with children and community members of all ages through leading dynamic, inclusive, and engaging activities.
• 2+ years experience developing and delivering educational programming to children and youth 0-14 years old, with early childhood education and previous camp experience an asset.
• A passion for environmental and climate action education.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and work as part of a team to achieve shared goals.
• Demonstrated understanding of childhood behaviours and committed approach to positive classroom management.
• Standard First Aid and CPR C Certificate and/or Food Handler Certificate an asset.

Application Information:

This is a full-time contract position at 35 hours/week starting in February and ending in November 2025. Salary for this position is $51,350 per year prorated to the length of the contract. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required with advanced notice. The position includes access to a comprehensive benefits package, personal days, and paid vacation, including flexible paid holidays to promote an inclusive workplace.

A Police Vulnerable Sector Check will be required upon hiring.

Deadline for applications is Tuesday, January 28th, 2025, at 9:00 am.

Ecosource is committed to fostering equity in the workplace. In alignment with our organizational value of inclusivity, it is our aim to have a staff team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ2S persons, and others. We value and welcome applicants to outline any relevant community involvement and/or lived experiences in their applications.

If you are interested, please send a personalized cover letter outlining why you would like to engage the community in fun, action-oriented climate education. Please send your cover letter (maximum 1 page) and resume (maximum 2 pages) via email to: Merissa Nudelman, Community Climate Hub Manager, at hiring@ecosource.ca with Environmental Education Coordinator in the subject line. Please note that resumes without a cover letter or generic cover letters and resumes will not be reviewed. Documents must be formatted in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

If you require accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Ecosource’s work takes place in the Region of Peel on the traditional territory and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We acknowledge the first inhabitants of these lands and those who continue to live in this region, including the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Ojibway/Chippewa and Metis peoples.