VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Positions: Nature House, Visitor Services
Organization: Swan Lake
Location: 3873 Swan Lake Rd., Victoria, BC

About the Opportunity:

Visitor service volunteers assist with welcoming people to the Nature House, gift shop sales and administrative tasks. Overlooking Swan Lake, the Nature House is the site’s main interpretive and indoor teaching centre. It boasts a gift shop, interpretive displays and a natural history library.

This position reports to and is supported by the Nature House Office Manager and Administrative Assistant.

Key Responsibilities:

Reception

• Greet visitors in person or on the phone and answer routine questions
• Provide nature exhibit interpretation
• Monitor visitor numbers in the Nature House
• Process purchases and offer customer service
• Help to keep the gift shop, Nature House displays and library shelves organized
• Process donations and memberships

Administration –weekly designated tasks (eg. printing trail maps, updating posters in kiosk and on bulletin boards, preparing mail)

Location: Nature House – 3873 Swan Lake Rd.

Time Commitment:

• Weekly shifts: 3 hours
• Duration: Initial 3-6 months commitment, with opportunity for renewal

Required Skills and Experience: We are seeking a dedicated volunteer to support the Mission and Values of the Sanctuary and its efforts in education, restoration and responsible land stewardship.

• Friendly and professional customer service skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite and ability to learn POS platforms (training provided)
• Internet navigation and information retrieval skills
• Effective communication and teamwork, with a willingness to seek assistance when necessary

Other Requirements:

• This role has direct interaction with vulnerable populations – a CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK is required.

Training:

• Program training provided by Administration team: Includes two 1-1.5 hr training sessions before weekly shifts begin, as well as two in-shift training sessions.
• Orientation on the history and current community and volunteer programs at the Sanctuary

Benefits:

• Impact: Support the Sanctuary’s Nature House Interpretive Centre and Community Programs
• Skill Growth: Develop skills and knowledge in visitor services and non-profit administration
• Community: Connect with a community with a common commitment to nature and education

Our Expectations of Volunteers:

• Support the Mission and Values of the Sanctuary and its efforts in education, restoration and responsible stewardship
• Co-operation with administrative tasks e.g. filling in time sheets
• Commitment to attend training and orientation

About the Nature Sanctuary: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is an accessible urban green space on the traditional lands of the lək ̓ʷəŋən, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. The wetland around Swan Lake and the Garry oak-forest on top of Christmas Hill are home to an incredible array of rare and threatened native plants and wild animals. The Nature Sanctuary is a living classroom fostering a greater understanding of nature through direct experience. Educational programs are available for all ages that encourage stewardship of the natural environment.

The Sanctuary is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a community-focused organization. We centre human dignity and growing our connections to each other and to our environment. We believe that each of us is responsible for addressing discrimination and that we co-create peace and good relationships.

To apply, please e-mail your resume and a brief covering letter to:
ttodesco@swanlake.bc.ca
subject: Nature House, Visitor Services

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