Program Associate - Education

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority; Thorold; Hybrid; CAD 25,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Meaningful work experience

Inclusive and collaborative culture

Competitive benefits: OMERS pension (p

Access to NPCA conservation areas

Job summary

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority is seeking a Program Associate - Education Seasonal to deliver educational and recreational programs at NPCA sites. The role supports field trips, day camps, hikes, and tours for visitors, youth and adults, with emphasis on safety, curriculum alignment, and customer service.

Based in the Niagara region, this casual/part-time student position offers professional development opportunities and access to NPCA locations, with evening/overnight shifts

Qualifications

• Minimum Grade 12 diploma or equivalent; undergraduate degree or certificate in Concurrent Education, Recreation and Leisure, Child and Youth Studies, Geography, Environmental Science, Biology, History, or Social Sciences an asset
• Minimum 2 years’ experience delivering educational and/or recreational programming to children, youth and/or adults
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to resolve challenging customer situations
• Successful applicants will be required to complete a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check
• Experience in teaching or outdoor education an asset
• Valid CPR & First Aid an asset
• Valid High Five: Principles of Healthy Childhood Development Certification an asset
• Valid Food Handlers’ Certificate an asset
• Second language an asset

Responsibilities

• Support “Nature For All” as a part of the NPCA’s Educational Programming team and connect people of all ages to nature through exciting outdoor experiences
• Learn, research and deliver educational programs, guided tours and hikes, and special events on natural and cultural heritage and conservation
• Independently deliver learning stations for field trips and overnight camping trips
• Assist in the planning of day camp programming
• Deliver day camp programming, leading activities for assigned camp cohort independently
• Assist in the maintenance and upkeep of heritage buildings and program assets, including building interiors, gardens, artifacts and demonstration materials
• Set‑up and take‑down programs and teaching areas/facilities, and events
• Perform cleaning duties in programming spaces and facilities
• Provide general oversight of visitor activity, ensuring safety of program participants and visitors, and Conservation Area grounds and trails
• Communicate effectively and courteously with visitors and program participants, promoting good public relations and enjoyable customer and participant experience
• Assist in the general operation of the Conservation Area
• Perform related duties at other NPCA conservation areas across the watershed

Skills

Excellent communication

Presentation skills

Customer service

Education

Grade 12 diploma

Undergraduate degree or in progress (Education/Leisure/Geography/Environmental Science)

CPR & First Aid certification asset

High Five certification asset

Food Handlers’ certificate asset

Second language asset

Job description

Program Associate - Education Seasonal (OPSEU Union - Casual/Part-time Student Positions)

As a community-based natural resource management agency, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority envisions a healthy and vibrant natural environment with shared greenspace and clean water for all.

NPCA’s work supports the conservation, enhancement, and sustainability of healthy watersheds with programs and services that focus on drinking water source protection, flood and hazard management, endangered species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, education, and land management.

NPCA is the caretaker of 43 conservation areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.

Why Work for the NPCA?

• Professional Development: Opportunity for further training and skills development.


• Meaningful Work Experience: Gain hands-on experience, contributing to real projects and making a tangible impact.


• Inclusive and Collaborative Culture: An opportunity to be part of a highly engaged and passionate team of professionals.


• Competitive Benefits: Voluntary enrollment in the OMERS pension plan.


• Access to Niagara Peninsula Conservation Area locations!

Summary of Duties

As part of the Conservation Area Programs and Services team, this role is responsible for educational and recreational program delivery, cultural interpretation, special event programming and other activities as assigned. Duties may include delivering educational and recreational programs such as field trips and day camps to children, youth and adults, as well as leading guided hikes and tours of historical buildings to park visitors. This role is responsible for safely delivering exceptional and engaging educational programs, articulating curriculum-linked content, maintaining programming spaces and materials, providing excellent customer service to participants/students/visitors, as well as ensuring the safety of program participants.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support “Nature For All” as a part of the NPCA’s Educational Programming team and connect people of all ages to nature through exciting outdoor experiences


• Learn, research and deliver educational programs, guided tours and hikes, and special events on natural and cultural heritage and conservation


• Independently deliver learning stations for field trips and overnight camping trips


• Assist in the planning of day camp programming


• Deliver day camp programming, leading activities for assigned camp cohort independently


• Assist in the maintenance and upkeep of heritage buildings and program assets, including building interiors, gardens, artifacts and demonstration materials


• Set‑up and take‑down programs and teaching areas/facilities, and events


• Perform cleaning duties in programming spaces and facilities


• Provide general oversight of visitor activity, ensuring safety of program participants and visitors, and Conservation Area grounds and trails


• Communicate effectively and courteously with visitors and program participants, promoting good public relations and enjoyable customer and participant experience


• Assist in the general operation of the Conservation Area


• Perform related duties at other NPCA conservation areas across the watershed

Qualifications

• Minimum Grade 12 diploma or equivalent, undergraduate degree or work towards completion of undergraduate degree or certificate in Concurrent Education, Recreation and Leisure, Child and Youth Studies, Geography, Environmental Science, Biology, History, or Social Sciences an asset


• Minimum 2 years’ experience delivering educational and/or recreational programming to children, youth and/or adults


• Excellent communication and presentation skills


• Strong customer service skills with the ability to resolve challenging customer situations


• Successful applicants will be required to complete a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check


• Experience in teaching or outdoor education an asset


• Valid CPR & First Aid an asset


• Valid High Five: Principles of Healthy Childhood Development Certification an asset


• Valid Food Handlers’ Certificate an asset


• Second language an asset

Applicants will be assigned to one location but may be asked to work at any of the locations listed below. Please indicate your location preference(s) as part of your application when you apply

Ball's Falls (Vineland) Binbrook (Hamilton) Chippawa (Wellandport) Gainsborough (Fenwick) Long Beach (Wainfleet) St. Johns Valley Centre (Pelham) Stevensville

Salary

$18.50-$19.01/hour. Part-time hours available from October - May. You may be required to work evening and overnight shifts

Equal Employment Opportunity

The NPCA is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in the workplace. We do not condone or tolerate discrimination on the basis of citizenship, race, place of origin, ethnic origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, or record of offence. Our hiring policies help ensure a consistent, diverse and objective hiring process that is non-discriminatory in nature, and compliant with the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, Occupational Health & Safety, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act as well as any other related legislation ensuring equal employment opportunities.

We can provide accommodation for a disability in all employment activities, in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require an accommodation, please contact [e-mail].