Field Trip Guide

Purpose:  
Field Trip Guides facilitate discovery for elementary-aged students during hands-on, activity-based field trips at VanDusen Botanical Garden. 


Responsibilities: 
-Lead 45-minute and 90-minute environmental education programs in the garden for diverse groups of students ages 5-12 (K-7) 
-Facilitate a safe, fun, and high-quality learning experience for students, teachers, and chaperones 
-Conduct programs in accordance with stated educational objectives in content and style 
-Maintain regular online communication with Youth Programs Manager and/or Youth Programs Coordinator 


Skills, Attitudes, Knowledge Required: 
-A love of nature and respect for the environment, with knowledge of ecology or gardening preferred 
-Comfort working with groups of children ages 5-12, and previous experience is desirable 
-Confident and reliable to communicate with children, volunteer team, and staff 
-Patient, positive, flexible, fun-loving, and willing to regularly reflect on personal performance and skill development. 
-Interested in ongoing training and education, both independent and conducted by the VBGA 
-Comfortable standing, walking, and kneeling throughout the shift 
-Must pass a criminal record background check (free for volunteers) 
 

Training and Orientation: 
- Online orientation and training modules 
-Required in-person training mid to late September during the school day (exact time still to be determined and based on field trip bookings) 
-Shadow shifts 

 

Time Commitment: 
-Two shifts per month. Shifts are Monday through Friday either morning (9:30am-12:00pm) or afternoon (12:00pm-2:30pm).  
-Programs run on weekdays during the months of April – June, and September – November 
-A minimum of one year commitment  


Location:  
VanDusen Botanical Garden 5251 Oak St., Vancouver V6M 4H1

 
Supervisory Relationships/liaison: 
Candidate will be supervised by and liaise with the Youth Programs Manager and/or Youth Programs Coordinator.
  
Authority/Decision Making: 
Must be comfortable making decisions and problem solving with minimal supervision. Volunteers are not responsible for performing First Aid or behaviour-management strategies.  


The VBGA is committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities.

To apply:
Please visit Vancouver Botanical Garden Association website here and fill out an application by August 4th: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/5757625f-27eb-4d6c-9df5-ff3182c978da/Activity/c3b9287f-786f-41ef-afcc-3e32dbb942c4/1