Job posting: Summer Stewardship Program Lead

We are seeking a creative, passionate, and self-motivated candidate to develop and deliver an environmental education and stewardship program for Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) youth ages 14-25. This project is a collaboration between Raincoast and the Tsawwassen First Nation with support from Raincoast’s Education Coordinator and TFN’s Recreation Specialist.

The successful candidate will be responsible for researching, developing, and delivering program content, collaborating with internal and external partners, coordinating program logistics, and leading hands-on activities, such as habitat restoration and field monitoring activities.

Salary and details

Job Type: Temporary (summer contract)
Anticipated hours: 35 hours/week for up to 11 weeks
Start date: June 12 (flexible)
Salary: $25/hour
Location: The position will be hybrid, with remote program development and in-person program delivery in Tsawwassen, BC.

Application deadline

June 5, 2023.

Position requirements

Funding for this position is provided through the Canada Summer Jobs Program. To be eligible, you must meet the following funding criteria:

Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment*,
be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment**; and,
have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
Access to a personal computer and reliable internet connection.
Able to work in person in Tsawwassen, BC.
First Aid Certification (CPR Level 1 or CPR-C) or a willingness to obtain it.
Clean criminal record check or a willingness to obtain it.

*The youth must be 15 years of age at the beginning of the employment period. The youth may be more than 30 years of age at the end of the employment period as long as the youth was 30 at the beginning of the employment period.

**International students are not eligible participants. International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada. Youth awaiting a refugee status ruling, as well as those who hold a temporary visitor visa, youth visa or work visa are ineligible.

Duties and responsibilities

Assist with the research, development, and implementation of an environmental education and stewardship program with the Tsawwassen First Nation youth
Research and develop educational activities and resources.
Lead excursions and field work on-site in Tsawwassen or throughout the Lower Mainland.
Collaborate with TFN, Raincoast and external organizations to secure guest speakers such as Knowledge Holders, cultural experts and scientists.
Coordinate logistics associated with activities and outings (e.g. reserving transport, managing a budget, purchasing activity and research supplies, organizing honorariums, etc.).

Desired skills and qualifications

Environmental or Indigenous studies degree or related post-secondary education preferred.
Strong interest in local environmental conservation, Indigenous culture, and stewardship.

Excellent communication skills.
Experience working with children and youth required. Experience delivering hands-on education with youth an asset.

A self-starter with the ability to work independently and problem-solve.
Organized and resourceful with a demonstrated ability to time-manage and appropriately prioritize projects.
Enjoy working outdoors, rain or shine.
Experience working with Indigenous communities and knowledge of the Tsawwassen First Nation community is an asset.
Knowledge of local wildlife, habitats, and conservation issues.
Able to create engaging relevant environmental lesson plans, schedule guest speakers, and arrange outdoor activities.
Unrestricted Class 4 license a strong asset.

About Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Raincoast is a team of conservationists and scientists empowered by our research to protect the lands, waters and wildlife of coastal British Columbia. We use rigorous, peer-reviewed science and community engagement to further our conservation objectives. We call this approach informed advocacy. Since 1996, Raincoast has been making progress toward our habitat and wildlife protection goals.

About

Raincoast’s Salish Sea Emerging Stewards education program aims to inspire, prepare, and empower the next generation of conservation leaders. Through engaging virtual, classroom, field, and boat-based learning, we connect students to local coastal environments and conservation initiatives. Our education programming blends Indigenous Knowledge and Western science using hands-on, interactive, and experiential learning in the watersheds, forests, estuaries, and waters of the Salish Sea to help youth understand and protect their coast.

How to apply

Please send a cover letter and your resume to jobs [at] raincoast [dot] org, by June 5, 2023. Please include contact information for at least two references. Email applications with “Stewardship Program Lead” in the subject line. Attach a single PDF file for your one-page cover letter and your resume – name it your first and last name. The cover letter should express why you want this position and identify how you are qualified. We thank all applicants, but only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Raincoast welcomes applications from all interested and qualified candidates. Our organization is the product of diverse visions and perspectives and we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring. Raincoast is committed to fostering and maintaining a workplace culture that is inclusive and does not tolerate or accept discrimination or harassment.

You can help

Raincoast’s in-house scientists, collaborating graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors make us unique among conservation groups. We work with First Nations, academic institutions, government, and other NGOs to build support and inform decisions that protect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the wildlife that depend on them. We conduct ethically applied, process-oriented, and hypothesis-driven research that has immediate and relevant utility for conservation deliberations and the collective body of scientific knowledge.

We investigate to understand coastal species and processes. We inform by bringing science to decision-makers and communities. We inspire action to protect wildlife and wildlife habitats.