OUTDOOR & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Position: Seasonal Environmental Educator (Fall)
Organization: EcoSpark
Location: Toronto, ON, York Region, and throughout the Greater Toronto Area

EcoSpark Backgrounder: EcoSpark empowers people to take an active role in protecting and sustaining nature.

We do this by giving them the tools for education, monitoring and influencing positive change. We have a strong reputation in the areas of education, citizen science, community engagement and collaboration. To date, we have directly worked with over 90,000 youth and adults from across southern Ontario in over 20 watersheds and 15 school boards. For more information, visit ecospark.ca.

Position Description: We are looking for a dynamic, confident, well-organized outdoor educator to join EcoSpark. The successful candidate will assist in the implementation of the School Watch and Park Watch programs across the Greater Toronto Area, especially in Toronto and York Region.

Working with the Citizen Science team, the Seasonal Environmental Educator will lead curriculum-linked biodiversity monitoring and ecological assessments on school grounds and in local parks and green spaces. Participants are students in grade 6-12, teachers, community members and corporate groups. They will transform their understanding of local ecology by taking part in citizen science projects – such as tree inventories, pollinator monitoring, and bird surveys – and environmental stewardship projects.

Depending on COVID-19 restrictions the position could include leading virtual presentations and sessions.

The successful candidate will inspire and train youth in science-based conservation: the data gathered contributes to larger research projects including iNaturalist and EcoSpark’s Tree Benefits inventory. Findings from these projects are used by scientists, schools, and government officials to assess environmental concerns and develop policies to protect and improve local ecosystems.

This is a full-time 3-month contract of 37.5 hours/week beginning Sep. 12th, 2022. There is a possibility of contract extension dependent on funding.

Position Responsibilities/Tasks:

• Facilitate outdoor experiential workshops for students (grades 6-12) and teachers on school grounds and in public parks using EcoSpark’s environmental monitoring equipment and survey protocols
• Deliver engaging virtual workshops for students enrolled in remote learning
• Enthusiastically engage students and apply class management techniques to support student learning outcomes
• Assist with inventory and maintenance of School Watch monitoring equipment
• Assist with delivering citizen science programming for corporate or community groups (adults or families)
• Ensure that student-generated data from School Watch is accurately collected and validated
• Provide support for teachers using citizen science data to inform stewardship and restoration activities
• Help develop and update environmental education resources as needed
• Promote EcoSpark’s educational programming to schools and at events
• Comply with EcoSpark’s health and safety policies, including Covid-19 policies
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• University degree or college diploma in science, environmental science or an environmentally-related discipline
• Experience as an educator (for example, as a camp counselor or program leader)
• Experience (paid or volunteer) in environmental programming or monitoring
• Some knowledge of the Ontario high school science curriculum
• Some knowledge of citizen science databases and apps (for example, iNaturalist, Seek, eBird)
• Field experience collecting and analyzing data
• Able to grasp new concepts quickly and efficiently
• Proven time management skills, punctuality, and strong attention to detail
• Superior communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather
• Comfortable moving and lifting heavy bins of field equipment
• Comfortable using conferencing software, Microsoft office, and Google platforms

• Valid G2 or G driver’s license
• Access to a reliable vehicle
• First Aid Certification

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working or volunteering with a not-for-profit is an asset
• Demonstrated interest in citizen science

Working Conditions:

• This position is based out of EcoSpark’s Office in Toronto with extensive travel throughout the GTA during the School Watch field season. Some work may be done remotely.
• The Seasonal Environmental Educator may from time to time be required to work more than 7.5 hours per day and occasionally on weekends with lieu hour compensation

Application Deadline: Aug. 12th, 2022
Employment Type: Full-time contract (37.5 hours/week) from Sep. 12th till Dec 12th, 2022
Salary: $15.25/hour
Start date: flexible depending on the availability of the successful candidate.
Location: Toronto, ON, York Region, and throughout the Greater Toronto Area
Reports to: Citizen Science Coordinator

APPLY

To apply, please email a resume and cover letter in a single PDF document to jobs@ecospark.ca with “Seasonal Environmental Educator (Fall)” in the subject line.

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

NO phone calls please.

EcoSpark is an equal opportunity employer.