Summer Educator, Mountains to Oceans

Ocean Wise•Vancouver, BC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Summer Educator, you will lead youth through an immersive week-long program that blends STEM learning, Indigenous knowledge, and hands-on conservation across Vancouver’s ecosystems. This entry-level role will offer training, mentorship, and meaningful exposure to green-sector skills such as environmental monitoring, restoration, and stewardship, and is designed to be accessible to youth with differing levels of experience. Please note this is a short-term 8 week long contract with no guarantee of extension.

Requirements

Interest in working with youth and learning about local ecosystems; formal experience is not required and training will be provided.
Comfort spending full days outdoors (forests, shorelines, parks, trails) and supporting hands-on activities such as basic data collection and field observations.
Curiosity about environmental issues, including watersheds, marine habitats, climate impacts, and stewardship practices.
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a field-based team and take initiative during program preparation and cleanup.
Valid Class 5 Drivers license.
Ability to participate in physical aspects of the role, including walking, light lifting, variable weather conditions, and waterfront environments.
Working hours may include early mornings, long hours and overnights, overtime will be paid as per the Ocean Wise policy on overtime.
The role involves driving, sitting, standing and public speaking for prolonged periods, exposure to outdoor environments with seasonal temperature fluctuations, and lifting heavy objects on a daily basis (up to 20Kgs to chest level).
It also involves working on a computer screen for extended durations and participating in phone and video calls.

Nice To Haves

Access to a reliable vehicle.
Standard First Aid or willingness to obtain prior to the program start.

Responsibilities

Deliver daily Mountains to Oceans (MTO) programming, including field-based STEM activities, guided hikes, shoreline cleanups, marine ecology sessions, and basic data collection.
Create inclusive, supportive learning environments that encourage curiosity, teamwork, and confidence in youth, ages 13–15.
Integrate environmental science, ocean literacy, Indigenous knowledge, and conservation action using accessible and age-appropriate approaches.
Ensure participant safety by following all risk management procedures.
Model environmental stewardship and introduce youth to green career pathways through hands-on restoration, biodiversity monitoring, water quality testing, and citizen science.
Prepare program materials, equipment, field journals, and safety gear each day.
Support logistics including transportation coordination, site access, and smooth transitions across program locations (mountains, forests, watersheds, shoreline, and marine facilities).
Maintain field equipment and program supplies, ensuring proper care and storage.
Build rapport with youth and support their personal growth, teamwork, and confidence throughout the week.
Model respectful, inclusive behaviour aligned with Ocean Wise values and community standards.
Guide youth during reflections, group activities, and presentations to help them communicate what they learned.
Record daily attendance, incidents, and field-collected data.
Support feedback collection and contribute to end-of-week program summaries.
Ensure accurate completion of activity logs, service metrics, and data sheets (e.g., biodiversity surveys, water quality tests).
Work collaboratively with fellow educators, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and science partners (e.g., PSEC researchers) to deliver high-quality programming.
Represent Ocean Wise professionally with youth, families, and community partners.
Support other Youth & Education activities as needed during the summer season.
Participate in training on facilitation, safety, environmental content, and inclusive engagement.
Receive ongoing mentorship, coaching, and regular check-ins to support skill development, confidence, and career exploration, especially for youth with limited prior work experience.