Indigenous Programs Coordinator & Naturalist Teacher Trainee

Job Summary:

The Indigenous Programs Coordinator and Naturalist Teacher is responsible for overseeing the

coordination of some of High Park Nature Centre’s Indigenous-led programs. This position

actively teaches a wide diversity of environmental, outdoor education programs at the Nature

Centre, including school programs, family nature walks, nature camps and nature clubs.

Coordination tasks include assisting to develop new events that highlight Indigenous connections

to the Land in High Park; working in collaboration with the Event and Operations Director to

coordinate OURSpace plantings of native plant species; and work with staff to revise existing

program outlines to ensure Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are presented accurately and

respectfully.

Main duties:

Program Coordination, Planning and Administration

• Coordinate Indigenous Programs (e.g. Indigenous Family Nature Walks, Special Events,

Indigenous Youth Wanderers) and develop new events/programs that highlight Indigenous

connections to the land;

• Continue to work with partnering organizations and build relations with Indigenous

communities and organizations in Toronto;

• Work with the Event & Operations Director tor to explore opportunities for collaboration for

teambuilding program delivery, building relationships and creating paid work for Cultural

Carriers and other Indigenous partners;

• Assist in revising program outlines to ensure Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are

presented accurately and respectfully if candidate has the knowledge and desire;

• In collaboration with Event & Operations Director, provide insights for our OURSpace

outdoor savannah demonstration area and classroom including planting native grasses,

wildflowers, medicines and Three Sisters garden.

• Develop and share knowledge of native plants in OURSpace;

• Oversee registration and communications for certain programs in concert with the Office

Administrator and Fundraising and Communications Director;

• Distribute and analyze participant evaluation surveys and amend programming as needed;

• Scope new curriculum and/or opportunities/partnerships and propose new programs as

related to Indigenous-led programs;

• Work with coordinators, supervisors, Event and Operations Director and Programs Director

to revise program outlines and program development;

• Evaluate and amend programming as required;

• Provide information on programs to coordinators, supervisors and Programs Director as

required;Job Description

Indigenous Programs Coordinator and Naturalist Teacher

• Answer phone call and email inquiries from parents and the public;

• Ensure health and safety protocols are followed in programs;

• Ensure program statistics are accurately tracked and prepare quarterly end-of-season

reports;

• Provide Programs Director with input regarding program fees and annual budget.

Teaching

• Plan, develop and deliver outdoor environmental education programs for approximately 5

teaching shifts per week (one teaching shift equals approximately 3.5 hours);

• Teach environmental education programs to children, youth, and adults, with a heavy focus

on early years (children ages 0-5 years and their caregivers) and children ages 4-12 years;

programs include nature clubs, camps, teambuilding programs, school field trips, special

events, and more.

Human Resources

• Provide training and mentorship to part-time staff, volunteers, interns and co-op students

working on Indigenous-led and other relevant programs and events;

• Work with the Event and Operations Director to recruit, schedule, supervise and evaluate

volunteers for Indigenous-led and other relevant programs and events.

Financial

• Provide Programs Director with input regarding nature fees and yearly budgets for

Indigenous-led and other relevant programs and events;

• Track programs within this portfolio and their budgets monthly and report on a quarterly

basis;

• In concert with Office Administrator, monitor registrations and ensure payments are

processed in a timely manner;

• Monitor CampBrain for merch orders associated with your portfolio and provide order

information to Office Administrator.

Communications

• Provide program information to the Fundraising and Communications Director to ensure

timely communications schedule for promoting Indigenous-led and other relevant

programs and events;

• Work with Fundraising and Communications Director to update the website on Indigenous-

led and other relevant programs and events.

• Coordinate with the Fundraising and Communications Director about photo opportunities

during programs for use in publicity and program materials.Job Description

Indigenous Programs Coordinator and Naturalist Teacher

Ongoing

• Organize, repair, maintain and develop program supplies, props and displays;

• Ensure daily building maintenance, animal care and purchase program and other materials

(i.e. Supplies for Indigenous-led and other relevant programs and events);

• Other duties as required.

Reports to: Programs Director

Thank You to Our Funders

This position is made possible thanks to funding from Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training in partnership

with Service Canada created in 1991 to meet the unique training and employment needs of aboriginal peoples. We are grateful for their generous support.