Youth education and leadership

Position: Director of Education
Organization: The Starfish Canada
Location: Metro Vancouver Region, BC

Full-time, hybrid (in-person and remote) within the Metro Vancouver Region

Salary: $85,694.97 for the 12-month contract
Hours of work: 40 hours per week
Reports to: Co-Executive Director, Operations and Administration
Additional supports: Director of Learning and Development

Benefits:

• 20 vacation days & 5 paid sick days
• Two-week office closure in December, plus one additional week off after Summit programming (estimated for late March) and additional office closures during long weekends
• Health & dental benefits coverage, including paramedical services, mental health support & vision care
• Up to $1,500 professional development fund
• $240 in phone reimbursements
• Laptop provided by The Starfish Canada and a one-time, $150 work-from-home reimbursement for off ice set-up
• Pro-deal discounts with The Starfish Canada’s corporate partners

Location: Based on the responsibilities of our summer camp program, this role is open to only those located in Metro Vancouver, BC. Remote work is available year round, with an optional in-office day on Wednesdays (1177 W Hastings St Unit 2788, Vancouver, BC V6E 2K3).

Anticipated start date: July 2, 2026

Term: As per our policy, all staff start on one-year, fixed-term positions. The Director of Education will have a one-year fixed term from their start date. Upon successful performance reviews at the three-month and one-year mark, we will offer a permanent contract.

To be eligible for this position, you must 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.

About the role

Over 15 years, The Starfish Canada has supported over 50,000 youth through education and leadership programs. As part of the next evolution of our charity, we seek an experienced Director of Education to help strategize on our next ten years of impact in educational settings.

This role takes a holistic approach to learning and development, with careful consideration of how children ages 5-18 learn about environmental studies, integrate principles of social justice, and are supported in their development to advance their climate leadership skills.

The Starfish Canada prioritizes co-design or “braiding knowledges” approaches to education. This role will hold responsibility for ensuring this approach is streamlined across our educational off erings. Those with lived experience in Indigenous communities, particularly those who have held roles in educational leadership, are encouraged to apply.

Our education programming currently includes:

• Interweaving Voices Together, a federally funded pilot project in collaboration with Six Nations of the Grand River
• Beyond the SDGs, a federally funded pilot project in collaboration with Six Nations of the Grand River
• Can You Hear the Eco?, run in collaboration with the Peel and Toronto District School Boards
• YouthView, a drone-based education program currently run in the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Vancouver Island
• Sea Smart Summer Camps, run in Metro Vancouver during July and August
• Afterschool programs run in collaboration with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation
• Shoreline cleanups for corporate partners and schools in the Metro Vancouver area

Key responsibilities will include the following:

• Lead the strategic direction of our Education programs across Metro Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Hamilton Areas (GTHA)
• Lead the development and re-development of co-designed curriculum (ie, incorporation of Western and traditional knowledge) across all Education programs, in collaboration with local Indigenous communities
• Liaise with school districts to ensure our programs can be delivered through formal or informal partnership agreements
• Manage and mentor staff within the Education department (currently includes: Sea Smart Summer Camps Lead, Sea Smart Programs Lead, and a Six Nations Programs Lead), including human resources and administrative functions
• Support educational program leads to track and monitor eff icacy and impact of programs, in alignment with organizational KPIs
• As needed, support the team in the implementation of educational programming
• Supports other team members that lead grant writing, subsidy applications, and fundraising initiatives related to educational programming
• Represent The Starfi sh Canada at external events as necessary
• Contribute to broader program initiatives and team support as required

This Director role operates as a middle management position, combining guidance and strategic direction to the organization while supporting a team to implement educational programs. This is an ideal position for someone that likes to think creatively and strategically, set intentional plans, then pivot to implementation and monitoring with a team of passionate and dedicated educators.

The Director of Education reports to the Co-Executive Director, Operations and Administration and will be supported through weekly check-ins and consistent communication. They will also be supported through quarterly check-ins and a professional development plan to ensure growth and development are regularly fostered.

Ideal qualifications
We welcome applications from individuals who may not meet all requirements. Applications that explicitly name these requirements may receive additional points during the initial phase of our evaluation process.

• At least five years of experience working with children and youth (ages 5-18), ideally in a formal or informal teaching role in British Columbia and/or Ontario
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing curriculum (learning objectives and lesson plans, materials, formative assessments and/or forms of impact evaluation) in British Columbia and/or Ontario
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with Indigenous communities and administrative offices at school districts to develop formal or informal collaborations/agreements and implement educational programming
• Ability to obtain a clear criminal record check for the vulnerable sector
• A valid class 5 BC driver’s license (or equivalent)

Nice-to-haves, but not required:

• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in French (B2 or greater)
• Proficiency in Google Suite & Monday.com
• Emergency first aid and CPR-C level certification within the last two years
• A Bachelor’s degree in natural resources conservation, environmental sciences, public health, social sciences, education, or similar fields

Why Join The Starfish Canada?

• Be part of a dynamic team that’s making real ripples of change!
• Inspire and empower thousands globally to protect our earth.
• 5 paid Sick/Personal Health days per year
• Health & Dental Benefi ts Coverage, including: paramedical services, mental health support & vision care.
• Mix of Remote and In-Person work with fl exible hours following probation period
• Enjoy a fulfi lling role where passion meets purpose.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development in environmental education

To apply

Please submit your application through this application form: https://forms.gle/d3P2iZFj6o7fzVDB8

You will be prompted to include:

• A resumé
• A cover lett er (up to two pages) OR an audio or video recording (up to 5 minutes long) that includes:
  • What interests you about working with The Starfi sh Canada
  • How your strengths and experiences align with this job opportunity
  • Describe an example of how you've applied equity principles to your work

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Sunday, June 14 at 11:59 p.m. or until the position is filled, whichever comes first. Early applications are encouraged.

We encourage all applicants who are interested in this role to apply, regardless of background and experience. We particularly encourage applicants from members of communities that are marginalized or that experience structural discrimination, including Indigenous, Black, persons of colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, and those living with any form of disability.

Please consider self-identifying to help us prioritize your application.

We encourage you to notify us regarding any access needs you may have. Requests for accessibility will not aff ect your application.

Hiring Process
Applicants chosen for the interview process will be contacted by email. The interview will be conducted by the hiring team consisting of the Director of Learning & Development and an additional staff member.

We anticipate the process will include:
● One hour video interview in English
● 30-minute follow-up interview involving facilitation of a presentation or activity, if needed
● Reference checks

We hope the successful candidate can start July 2, 2026. The hiring team may adapt the process as needed if circumstances change. We appreciate each applicant for taking the time and eff ort to apply.

About The Starfish Canada The Starfi sh Canada is a national charitable organization dedicated to uplifting the work of young changemakers across the country through providing them with essential education, resources, and community to thrive as leaders in shaping a just and climate-resilient future