Nature Educator

Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) is hiring a Nature Educator to support our children’s and youth educational programming. TBG is a not-for-profit charity focused on connecting people with plants and inspiring people to live in harmony with nature. Working with a committed and enthusiastic team, the Nature Educator will support a variety of programs including school field trips, family programs and outdoor summer nature camps. The Nature Educator will engage participants in the natural world through hands on activities such as planting, caring for and harvesting in the garden as well as exploring and learning about the adjacent gardens and nearby ravine system. During the summer months the Nature Educator will lead a group of campers through a variety of themed camp activities.

The ideal candidate for this position is an enthusiastic educator with a passion for food, plants, people and gardens! Candidates should also be creative, patient, positive, motivated and able to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.

Please Note: Potential candidates must be First Nations, Inuit or Metis and reside within the GTA. Candidates must be registered or eligible to register with Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training.

Job Scope

● Under the guidance of the Director of Learning, Nature Educators will research, plan and prepare programs and activities.

● Prepare materials for crafts and activities.

● Monitor the health and safety of participants including sun safety, care around bodies of water and supporting safe play.

● Lead a group of participants through planned activities including providing clear instructions and demonstrations and guiding participants throughout their activity.

● Lead a group of students through curriculum connected outdoor school programs in Spring

● Provide supervision for a Summer camp group through a variety of indoor and outdoor activities in the Toronto Botanical Garden and nearby Wilket Creek ravine

● Work closely with volunteers by providing clear directions on how they can best support the program.

● Assist with the planting, maintenance, and harvesting of vegetables, fruit and herbs in the Toronto Botanical Garden’s Teaching Garden.

● Work with Director of Learning to develop and implement a special project that supports the incumbents learning objectives.

● Support other educational programming opportunities as required.

Experience/Skills

● Enrollment or completion of a university or college program related to environmental/natural science, horticulture, outdoor recreation, or education an asset.

● Experience working with and educating children, particularly outdoors.

● Knowledge and interest in native plants and animals and/or vegetable gardening.

● Strong communication skills

● Basic proficiency with the Microsoft suite.

● Have or be willing to acquire a Police Reference Check and First Aid Level C certificate prior to the start of your contract.

● Some availability to work nights, weekends, and statutory holidays is an asset.

Application Procedure:

This position is made available through funding from Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training and Service Canada. In order to be considered for the role candidates must:

• Be First Nations, Inuit or Metis
• Reside within the GTA.
• Candidates must be registered or eligible to register with Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training. Non-registered candidates can contact [email protected] to set up an appointment.

MIZIWE BIIK

ABORIGINAL EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Please submit a resume and cover letter as one PDF file with your name in the title through indeed link at: Nature Educator – North York, ON M3C 1P2 – Indeed.com

If you have any difficulties with the link please email [email protected]

Equal Opportunity Employer

Toronto Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a welcoming, safe, diverse and inclusive environment. TBG’s workplace has a long-standing policy of providing fair, equitable, and accessible opportunities for all employees and prospective employees. TBG considers all qualified applicants for employment regardless of age, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, or disability status.

Job Type: Fixed term contract starting April 7, 2025.

Contract length: 52 weeks

Salary: $22.00 per hour

Flexible Language Requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Toronto, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Secondary School (required)