Eco Program Instructor - High Park

Important: Do not apply to this job opportunity if you are a returning City of Toronto employee, instead please complete an online scheduling form.

The Community Recreation Branch is responsible for the delivery of high-quality, community-based recreation programs and services to the diverse neighbourhoods of Toronto. We provide a variety of programs that promote the social and physical development for people of all ages, with an emphasis on children and youth. The Community Recreation Branch strives to ensure Toronto residents have positive recreational experiences that enhance quality of life and contribute to lifelong active living.

The Children's Eco Programs offer garden and nature focused school programming in the spring and fall and day camp programming in the summer.  Programs run in High Park and along the City's Discovery Walk trails. For more information about the program, please visit High Park Children's Garden and Teaching Kitchen

Responsibilities:

• Develops, plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates children’s garden and nature based programs.
• Develops, coordinates, implements and evaluates Eco Camp programming in nature exploration and organic gardening.
• Provides outdoor gardening, hiking and camp experiences for children and youth.
• Performs administrative tasks to support the program.
• Interacts with staff, parents, schools, community agencies and the public to provide program information.
• Coordinates and delivers programming at community events.
• Maintains children’s garden.
• Attends and participates in meetings and training sessions.
• Follows the principles of Healthy Child Development (HIGH FIVE®) in the planning and delivery of programs.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and experience in outdoor environmental education and recreation activities, especially for children 5 to 14 years old.
  Educational background in environmental studies/science, education, outdoor education/recreation or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of and experience in environmentally responsible gardening practices preferred.
• Current National Lifeguard Service (NLS) Certificate preferred.
• Experience in working independently as well as in groups
• Ability to work with and supervise people of all ages, especially children and youth.
• Administrative, organizational, research, and program skills.
• Good communication and public relations skills.
• Knowledge & understanding of all relevant City regulations, policies and procedures an asset.
• Must produce original current Standard First Aid and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation certifications as recognized by the WSIB.
• You possess certification in Parks and Recreation Ontario's Principles of Healthy Child Development (PHCD).  This is a mandatory course that will be provided to you at no cost upon obtaining a conditional offer of employment. You will be provided with course dates and details at that time.

We thank all applicants for their submission. Only candidates who are selected for next steps will be contacted. Be sure to check your email regularly, including junk/spam mail folders, and log in to your profile to see the status of your application under Jobs Applied.

Accommodation:  If you are an individual who requires accommodation, due to disability under the Ontario Human Rights Code, to apply for this position, please email us at recjobs@toronto.ca, quoting the Requisition ID and the job title.  The City is committed to providing Code-protected accommodation throughout its hiring process. Please visit Hiring Policies and Statements (toronto.ca)  for further details.

Vulnerable Sector Check:  One of the requirements for working with children and vulnerable adults is applicants providing the results of a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). Once a candidate completes online onboarding documentation, candidates that reside in the City of Toronto (postal code starts with "M") will be sent an email with a voucher code to complete an online VSC application with Toronto Police at no cost. Applicants who reside outside of the City of Toronto will need to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check from their local Police Service at their own cost.  For further information on the vulnerable sector screening, please contact your local Police Service.