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Instructor/ Nature Mentor

Part-time (22 to 25 hours per week)
Location: Vancouver and North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Delta

Soaring Eagle Nature School is seeking an Instructor/Nature Mentor to join our team to offer unique programs for kids in the beautiful forests and beaches of the Lower Mainland.

This is an opportunity to share your gifts with youth through nature-based mentoring and passion-based learning.

We offer unique paid professional development opportunities for all staff and the opportunity to spend your days outdoors. Staff who work over 20 hrs/week are eligible for health & dental benefits.

Soaring Eagle Nature School is seeking an Instructor/Nature Mentor for the 2023-2024 season, and potential for beyond. This position can extend to ongoing work for Summer Camp and beyond.

Our mission at Soaring Eagle Nature School is to empower people to discover and share their gifts through meaningful connections with the natural world. We honour the natural cycles within people and use their own excitement and curiosity to guide their learning and their connections to themselves, the earth and other people.

You should be passionate about working with children in a caring and supportive way and incorporating the natural world into fun-filled days. Soaring Eagle Nature School is known for a playful approach, and a ratio of 8 kids for every 1 adult means the opportunity to mentor kids closely. We are looking for committed and resourceful individuals to become a part of our team of Instructors/Nature Mentors.

You will gain skills and experience from paid training sessions and experience within a dedicated team working with amazing kids in beautiful parks.

Responsibilities:

Part-time Instructor (Three days a week) for monthly and weekly programs. Work days are during the week. If additional work is desired there are possibilities for subbing and ongoing work at Summer Camp and beyond.

  • Development and implementation of age-specific nature-connected programming for youth age 6-12
  • Passion and knowledge about some of the following: survival skills, wildlife tracking and animal ID, edible and medicinal plants, navigation, forest ecology, knife safety skills, etc. Being an expert on these topics already is great, but you can also study while you work and grow your knowledge.
  • Running programs rain or shine

The ideal candidate will demonstrate familiarity and understanding of the following:

  • Desire to use your gifts to help guide people into a closer connection with the natural world
  • Naturalist skills, earth-based living skills/ancestral skills and a desire to keep learning these
  • Experience working with children and youth aged 6-12
  • Excellent group facilitation skills
  • Understanding and practice of effective, clear and compassionate communication skills
  • Comfort in handling student and family affairs in a competent, open and professional way
  • Creative and crafty with a love of making cool things with your hands out of natural materials
  • Exercise a healthy sense of humour

Qualifications:

  • Minimum 2 years experience in nature-based mentoring with children
  • Standard First Aid & CPR C (will be required by date of hire)
  • Clear Criminal Record Check (will be required by date of hire)

Bonus points! The following are preferred but are not required. Please send in your application even if these don’t apply to you:

  • Degree in education or environmental degree
  • Child Development Expertise
  • Access to a vehicle
  • Wilderness First Aid
  • Graduate of the Immersion Program at the Wilderness Awareness School, Weaving Earth (WE) Program, or similar programs

Schedule:

This position is a range of 22-25 hours per week. Hours will fluctuate based on availability and experience.

Work days are 8:00am/9:00am – 4:00pm

1. Wednesdays: North Vancouver Weekly program- 9-12 yr olds. 9 am-4 pm
2. Thursdays: Vancouver- 4-6 yr olds (with a co-instructor) 9:30am -2:30 pm
3. Fridays: various locations- Vancouver, North Vancouver, Delta. Monthly Programs 8 am or 9 am-4pm

Opportunities to work at spring break camps and summer camps

Compensation:

  • Starting wage $22 – $25 /hr based on experience and availability.
  • + 4% Vacation Pay
  • 1 week paid training or equivalent based on previous experience
  • Training & professional development sessions throughout the year
  • Health & Dental benefits through Pacific Blue Cross ( 50% of Monthly premium covered) for staff working in year-long programs who work a minimum 20 hours/week
  • Discount for educational workshops and outdoor gear for long term staff
  • Paid bi-weekly

To Apply:

Please send your resume, contact info for 3 professional references, and a letter of interest.

Email to: jenna@soaringeaglenatureschool.org

Applications are due right away. The review of applications will be ongoing until the positions are filled.

Thank you for your interest and please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

No phone calls please.

We recognize the importance of employment equity and workplace diversity and encourage applicants who are Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, all genders, and LGBT2Q+ folks to apply.