Garden Interpreter
- Posted on:
- 2018-03-28 2:01:07 p.m.
- Program stream:
- Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations
- Job title:
- Garden Interpreter
- Organization name:
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Job location:
- Burlington, Ontario
- Length of assignment:
- 2018-05-07 to 2018-07-27 (12 weeks)
- Hourly wage:
- $14.00
Garden Interpreter (3 positions)
Start date: April 30, 2018
End Date: September 2, 2018
Languages of work: English (French would be desirable)
Rate of Pay: $14.00, 35hrs/week
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the largest botanical garden in Canada and one of the largest in the world. With over 2,700 acres of cultivated gardens and nature preserves, it is also one of the largest urban nature sanctuaries and marshland restoration sites in North America. With its extraordinary land holdings, breathtaking landscapes, biodiversity, collections, facilities, educational and conservation programs, RBG is a top-rated regional tourist attraction and a global leader in its sector.
Reporting to: Interpretation Officer
Hours: 35 hours per week
Position Description:
We are searching for three enthusiastic and approachable individuals who are passionate about the world of nature and gardens and want to help connect visitors with our collections. Garden Interpreters work in RBG garden areas interpreting RBG’s plants and collections to the public in a dynamic and scientifically accurate manner, while providing excellent customer service. These positions play an important role in the overall visitor experience at RBG.
Responsibilities:
-Set up, staff, and take down mobile activity carts (Discovery Carts)
-Plan and present guided tours, talks, and demonstrations
-Create and maintain program props and supplies
-Plan, develop, and lead children’s and family activities for special events including the Enchanted Garden weekend
-Maintain relevant documentation and assist in evaluating effectiveness of programs and activities
-Interact with visitors daily in an enthusiastic and positive manner providing an excellent level of customer service
-Participate in training on interpretive techniques, customer service, and content development
-Liaise with volunteers
-Other duties as assigned
-Outdoor work required; may be stationed in any RBG garden area/collection on a day-to-day basis
-Includes working all weekends, statutory holidays (all long-weekends), and some evenings (days off will be between Monday and Thursday)
Requirements:
-University or college student in natural science/biology/botany, environmental science, horticulture, education, or a related field
-Good working knowledge of botany, gardening, plant ID, and natural history
-Enthusiastic, approachable, and confident individual
-Experience working with the public, especially families and children
-Excellent oral communication and presentation skills; experience with public speaking
-Able to commit to the full duration of the work assignment
-Possess valid First Aid certification
-A satisfactory Police Records Check will be required of the successful candidates at their expense
-Be a Canadian citizen or be legally entitled to work in Canada
-Be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment period
-Be registered on the YCW on-line candidate inventory
-Currently enrolled as a full-time student at a post-secondary institution and intending to return to full-time studies in the semester following this position
Assets:
-Valid Driver’s License and personal transportation
-Experience working in interpretation or informal/non-formal education
-Computer skills in MS Office products including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
-Fluency in French
Candidates are invited to apply online to RBG’s career site (www.rbg.ca/careers). Please submit your cover letter and resume as one pdf file saved using the naming convention of your first then last name and position title (Jane Smith Garden Interpreter.pdf).
RBG is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
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