Summer jobs, Student jobs

Position: Junior Counselor - Summer Camps
Type: age 30 & under / summer
Camps: Summer Day Camps at Vancouver Botanical Gardens
Location: Vancouver BC

Organization Overview

The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) is the joint operating partner - with the City of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (Park Board) - of VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. Our mission is to engage people of all ages and walks of life in the importance of biodiversity to our lives, and to foster a lifelong love of plants and gardens by virtue of their participation in our programs and services.  Situated in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded Ancestral shared lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre urban green space. Bloedel Conservatory is a domed lush paradise located in Queen Elizabeth Park atop the City of Vancouver’s highest point. Tropical birds, koi fish, and over 500 exotic plants and flowers thrive within its temperature-controlled environment. Both are ideal locations for connecting with nature.

The VBGA welcomes eligible applicants from any location for this in-person role; candidates unfamiliar with Vancouver and surrounding areas are encouraged to explore tourist attractions, cultural events, and programs through sites such as https://www.destinationvancouver.com/ and https://www.hellobc.com/places-to-go/vancouver/. 

The VBGA is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities. 

Position Overview

Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association is seeking Junior Counselors to help deliver nature-based Summer Camps for children ages 5-10 at VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. VBGA Camps promote environmental stewardship and a love of the natural world through a fun blend of science, gardening, games, crafts and garden exploration. Visit our website to learn more about our programs at https://vandusengarden.org/learn/camps/. 

Responsibilities

• Assist Camp Leaders in delivering full-day, nature-themed day camps to children ages 5-10
• Follow VBGA’s health and safety protocols to ensure the wellbeing of all participants
• Provide campers with a safe, educational, fun, and meaningful experience
• Assist Camp Leaders in supervising and mentoring Volunteers
• Ensure that the campers are signed in and out by their parents/guardians
• Help to maintain and prepare program materials, supplies, and facilities
• Assist with activity preparation, cleanup and daily cleaning and sanitation
• Assist in performing basic First Aid procedures, group management practices, etc.
• Assist with effective documentation of incidents, accidents, behavioural concerns, etc.
• Liaise with the Youth Programs administrative team to ensure smooth operations

Qualifications and Experience

• An interest or some experience in ecology, biology, education, interpretation, First Nations or Indigenous Studies, or similar
• Ability to write and speak fluently in English
• Experience working with children, preferably ages 5-10 and in groups
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions with a positive attitude
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully as part of a team
• Clear, recent Criminal Records Check/Police Information Check incl. Vulnerable Sectors (or willingness to obtain prior to start)
• Valid Standard First Aid Certification incl. CPR-C and AED (or willingness to obtain prior to start)

Eligibility

This is a grant-funded position; to be eligible you must be:

• Between 16 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada
• Legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid Social Insurance Number)

Based on the priorities of our funding partners, as well as our organization’s mission and values, we highly encourage applications from equity-seeking groups and youth facing barriers.

Contract Length Full-time Monday to Friday from June 22nd through August 21st 2026 (9 weeks)

Wage $18.25 per hour (8 hours per day; 40 hours per week) + 4% in lieu of vacation

Contact Natasha Friedmann (she/they), Youth Programs Manager - nfriedmann@vandusen.org

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.

Please submit your resume and cover letter by email before 11:59pm Pacific time on April 6th, 2026. Interviews may begin before the deadline on a rolling basis; the posting will remain open until the position has been filled. Thank you for your interest; please do not follow up on your application once submitted, as only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by our team.