Outdoor learning, Environmental education

Position: Environmental Educator and Program Coordinator (Maternity Leave Contract)
Organization: Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley
Location: Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, PO Box 8789, 201-600 9th St. Canmore, AB T1W 3L9

The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is a non-profit organization with charitable status and the mission to “empower community leadership to address environmental challenges.” This position supports Future Leaders, one of four programs of the Biosphere Institute. The Future Leaders program supports the ecological literacy of children and youth in the Bow Valley. Learn more at biosphereinstitute.org/futureleaders.

The Environmental Educator and Program Coordinator is responsible for organizing and delivering the Future Leaders programming including outdoor learning classes and field trips aligned with the Alberta curriculum, coordinating the Future Leaders Youth Council and maintaining strong relationships with funders while supporting the program’s fund development plan.

• Classification: This is a maternity leave contract position, between 12 and 18 months in duration. This is a full-time contract at 37.5 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday. The Future Leaders Youth Council program requires some evening and weekend work throughout the school year.
• Relevant Dates: Applications open August 2nd and close at 5pm on Sept.1, 2026. Interviews will be held in Canmore between September 8-14th. In-person interviews are preferred but we will consider virtual or phone interviews on a case by case basis.
• Term: Start date October 1, 2026. There will be a two-week onboarding overlap with the outgoing employee. Contract end date will be between September 2027 and March 2028.
• Reporting to: Executive Director of the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley
• Annual Salary: $60,000–$67,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Benefits: Full health benefits after a two month probationary period.
• Annual Vacation: Two weeks (10 business days), plus one week (5 business days) over the Christmas holidays.
• Location: Bow Valley, Alberta. No staff accommodation provided. The Biosphere Institute offers employees a degree of flexibility, including occasional work from a home office and time in lieu. However, due to the collaborative and community-based nature of this role, the successful candidate is expected to be based in Banff, Canmore, ID9 or MD Bighorn for the majority of their workdays.

Responsibilities

The Contractor will:

• Collaborate with teachers and school administrators at our partner schools to curate K–12 curriculum-connected outdoor learning and Field Trip programs
• Organize and deliver safe, educational and place-responsive outdoor learning programs
• Maintain summer youth engagement programs, e.g. Girls on the Fly
• Coordinate and host weekly Future Leaders Youth Council meetings (held Thursday evenings alternating between Banff and Canmore during the school year) as well as events and projects
• Deliver a suite of K–12 curriculum-connected programs both in the classroom and outdoors, including Ways of the Bison, Environmental Stewardship, Climate Stewards, wildlife EduKits, Outdoor Learning programs and more.
• Respond to requests from non-formal education groups, including Settlement Services, the Town of Banff and the Town of Canmore, for curated programs such as wildlife safety, outdoor activities and professional development.
• Engage high school student leaders around topics of environment and sustainability while facilitating learning opportunities for them as part of the Future Leaders Youth Council.
• Respond to requests from municipal governments, community stakeholders and program funders.
• Collect and monitor program participant demographics and feedback.
• Manage program fund development, apply for funding and report to funders about current and continued programs.
• Sustain professional relationships through written and in-person communication with external stakeholders, including municipal governments, community members and program funders.
• Demonstrate respect in the workplace in a way that promotes respect, reconciliation, diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Work collaboratively with the Biosphere Institute staff.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Science, Education, Communication or a relevant field.
• Standard First Aid certification (e.g. Red Cross Canada)
• Respect in Schools (or similar) anti-abuse certification and willing to provide Background Check including Vulnerable Sector Check
• Experience delivering outdoor learning programs for children and youth, including working with diverse learners’ needs and risk management
• Experience and knowledge curating and teaching K–12 environmental education programs connected to the learning outcomes of the Alberta curriculum.
• Experience and knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing and best practices towards reconciliation and relationship building
• Experience managing complex workloads, numerous projects and competing priorities

• Strong background in engaging with diverse community groups
• Ability to perform budget planning, fund development, grant application and reporting.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Squarespace and Google Workspace applications.
• Oral and written French language skills are considered an asset.
• Familiarity with creating social media content for Instagram and Facebook.
• Valid Alberta driver’s licence.
• Access to a personal vehicle.
• We have a very strong preference for candidates who live in the Bow Valley (Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, Dead Man’s Flats, Lac des Arcs, Mînî Thnî).
• Legally able to work in Canada.

To Apply

Please send an email including your résumé and cover letter with the subject title “Future Leaders, Maternity Leave Contract” to education@biosphereinstitute.org .

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. MST on August 20, 2026.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application. However, only those who we wish to interview will be contacted after the application deadline. Interviews will be held in Canmore between September 8-14th.

Commitment to Workplace Inclusion

The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is committed to building a workplace where everyone can succeed and belong. As a Signatory to the Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Charter, we are committed to ensuring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team environment, and to considering applicants who identify as part of an equity-seeking group including people of colour, Indigenous people, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, youth, and people with disabilities. We value a wide range of skills, experiences, and backgrounds and encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please let us know if you require accommodations to the meeting format or time of day during the interview process and/or other workplace considerations; we will work hard to make this accommodation as our capacity permits.