Wildlife Educator
Yukon Wildlife Preserve
Job location
Whitehorse, YT
Job details
Are you interested in working in beautiful outdoor settings, helping youth to connect with Yukon wildlife? The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is seeking reliable, dynamic and engaging team-players to deliver and assist in the development of our environmental education school programs and nature camps to children aged 6-12. These take place at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, except for the Swan Haven programs which take place at Marsh Lake during April.
The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is a zoological institution and a non-profit charity, dedicated to education, conservation and research on Boreal and Arctic Ecology. This position is well suited to candidates studying education, interpretation, community development, social sciences, environmental science, zoology, biology or a related field. The YWP is seeking to build a diverse and energetic staff to achieve our mission!
Contract Length:
The Preserve is hiring multiple positions to fill the following contract dates:
• March 13th 2023 - August 25 2023
• March 29th 2023 - April 28 2023
• May 1 2023 - August 23 2023
Please indicate your preference / availability in your application!
School Programs (at Swan Haven):
Programming at Swan Haven typically occurs throughout April with a focus on swans and water bird migration. Educators work up to a maximum 40-hour week, typically Monday – Friday (excluding statutory holidays). The Swan Haven Interpretive Centre is located on M'Clintock Bay, Marsh Lake (40 km south of Whitehorse). Transportation costs and travel time to/from Whitehorse is covered. During this time, programmers may also spend some time working in Whitehorse and at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve depending on operational needs.
School Programs (at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve):
In May and June, season specific, curricular linked programs for schools are delivered at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, focusing on Yukon’s unique boreal and arctic wildlife, ecology and cultures. Educators work up to a maximum 40-hour week, typically Monday – Friday (excluding statutory holidays). The Preserve is located at KM 8, Takhini Hot Springs Road (30km from downtown Whitehorse). Applicants require their own reliable transportation, as this is the primary work location.
Nature Camps (at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve):
During March break and from mid-June to late August, programming is focused on leading week-long day camps for ages 6-12. Our camps offer children the opportunity to discover, explore and connect with nature, build friendships and learn new skills. Educators work up to a maximum 40-hour week, typically Monday – Friday (including statutory holidays).
Responsibilities:
• Adapt and deliver engaging outdoor, curriculum-linked interpretive programs for students and youth;
• Coordinate with teachers, volunteers, and educational assistants to support student learning;
• Lead fun and educational, week-long spring and summer day camps, ensuring the safety and well-being of participants;
• Participate in staff training to increase knowledge of boreal and arctic ecology and to develop a communication strategy tool-kit to engage students and youth;
• Participate in evaluation of program design and delivery;
• Contribute to final reports by summarizing and evaluating all aspects of program delivery;
• Maintain equipment and materials for program delivery;
• Undertake other duties as assigned including light cleaning and maintenance as required
Skills & Experience:
• Experience in leadership and/or mentoring and/or coaching;
• Experience working with youth;
• Ability to work both independently and as a team;
• Ability to work outdoors, stand, walk and carry packs in varied terrain and weather conditions;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Ability to provide excellent customer service;
• Interest, knowledge and/or experience in Arctic and Boreal Ecology;
• Competent with Windows based computer systems and programs such as Microsoft Office, Excel and web browsers
Assets:
• Ability to speak French fluently;
• Knowledge of Interpretive Theory & techniques;
• Education in relevant field (biology, education, interpretation, outdoor recreation, natural resources, etc.);
• Experience in delivering engaging knowledge-based interpretive programs to diverse audiences
Conditions of Employment:
• Acquire / Maintain valid Standard First Aid/CPR-C Certificate (financial support available to successful applicants);
• Acquire / Maintain Class 4 Yukon Driver’s License (financial support available to successful applicants);
• Clean Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening;
• Clean Driver’s Abstract;
To Apply: Please provide a cover letter and your resume. Submit applications to Madison Rushton at education@yukonwildlife.ca
