Summer job opportunity: ForChange Education Intern
Raincoast Conservation Foundation (Raincoast) is seeking a summer student to support a developing education program in partnership with W̱SÁNEĆ community members. This will be a dual position working under the guidance of both the Gulf Islands Forest Project Coordinator and The Salish Sea Emerging Stewards Program Developer.
Job description
The successful incumbent will act as a liaison between the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and Raincoast. They will work closely with W̱SÁNEĆ Community Members to develop virtual and hands-on educational programming for W̱SÁNEĆ youth. They will also engage in some literature and public policy review to inform their work and improve outcomes. A main focus of this position will be to co-organize and co-facilitate both online (e.g. webinar) and in-person environmental education events.
Dates & wage
This is a full-time (37 hours/week), two-month term position (8-weeks). Schedule can be flexible (i.e. work times/work days), with possibility for some extended time off to enjoy the summer. The successful applicant will ideally have a BC drivers licence and access to a vehicle. Preference will be given to those identifying as a community member of a W̱SÁNEĆ Nation.
The start date is flexible, but preferred on June 1, 2021.
Application deadline is May 14, 2021.
Wage: $21.95/hour
Desired skills & qualifications
- In accordance with funding requirements, the successful applicant must be a Canadian citizen between the ages of 15 and 30.
- Degree (achieved or in progress) in Education, Environmental Studies/Science, Resource Management, Public Policy, or International Development Studies,
AND/OR - Strong understanding of Ethnobotany, ecological restoration, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
- Experience collaborating with First Nation communities.
- Knowledge of SENĆOŦEN Language and W̱SÁNEĆ culture is a highly desired asset.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or gender identity. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring!
To apply
Send your resume and cover letter, explaining how you meet the above requirements, to jobs@raincoast.org with the subject line: “ForChange: Last Name, First Name”.
Position background
The Gulf Islands Forest Project is multi-faceted and innovative forest conservation project with a primary focus on North and South Pender Islands, the Traditional Territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. We employ multiple strategies to ensure long-term Coastal Douglas-fir forest protection. Activities generally fall under four umbrellas, and include:
- Working toward policy change: establishing precedent for improving forest management and maintaining tree cover on private land.
- Ecological investigation: noting forest cover changes; tree mortality; extent of herbaceous groundcover, etc. to better understand baseline forest conditions & inform conservation strategies.
- Education and engagement: creating awareness about the importance of maintaining contiguous forest cover and biodiversity, and introducing citizen science initiatives to aid in the development of skills and tools to protect and conserve important ecological areas.
- Land acquisition: securing permanent protection of CDF forests and associated habitats.
The Salish Sea Emerging Stewards (SSES) Program was piloted in 2016 with a goal to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders in the Salish Sea. Since its inaugural year, SSES has had significant success engaging First Nation Youth across coastal BC. The program collaborates with an extensive network of Salish Sea experts who help deliver the program. This includes First Nations Knowledge Holders, Cultural Experts, scientists, and environmental educators to create a program that blends academic science with Traditional Knowledge using hands-on and place-based learning.
About Raincoast
Raincoast Conservation Foundation is a charitable environmental NGO dedicated to protecting the lands, waters, and wildlife of coastal BC. Led by a team of conservationists and scientists, Raincoast’s projects are rooted in research, and informed by community and cultural engagement, reflecting our organizational mandate: “Investigate. Inform. Inspire”. We call this unique approach informed advocacy.
