About Us:

Founded in 1999, the High Park Nature Centre is a not-for-profit organization that instills awareness, understanding and respect for the natural world. We engage children, youth and families in the stewardship of High Park’s significant natural areas through hands-on outdoor environmental education. Our year-round programs inspire park visitors to develop closer connections with nature in their city and ensure a sustainable future for High Park for generations to come.

Position Description:

We are looking for an enthusiastic nature lover to help implement our exciting outdoor classroom.

Job Responsibilities:

Work with Executive Director to help determine a Designer for the project and provide input on the Space Usage Design.
Work with Executive Director and Project Designer to create and implement a Community Consultation Plan.
Work with City of Toronto Parks and Forestry staff to determine a suitable location (within the predetermined area) for the Outdoor Classroom.
Research native savannah plans for the site and determine a plant list in conjunction with City of Toronto Forestry staff
Consult with plant distributors about our needs; set up contract.
Set community planting schedule and coordinate with plant delivery schedule
Work with teaching staff to plan, promote and deliver Planting Celebration Day and Community Planting events.
Promote (with special attention to High Priority Neighbourhoods) and set up registration for community plantings
Prepare materials (plants and teaching materials) for the events
Create seed collection plan
Create outdoor classroom maintenance plan
Recruit, train and engage volunteers in Outdoor Classroom programming or plantings
Track participant usage and planting on the site.
Support High Park Nature Centre’s move to new site.
Lend a hand to keep our shared office and kitchen space clean and tidy.
Other duties as required.

Qualifications

A solid working knowledge of High Park’s ecosystems, specifically native savannah plants.
Minimum College degree.
Certificate in restoration, conservation or PMP (Project Management Professional) an asset.
Experience running children’s programming, preferable in an outdoor environment.
Strong communication skills; an ability to engage in productive discussions with a variety of stakeholders including granting organizations, City of Toronto staff, High Park Nature Centre staff and the public.
Ability to work independently in a variety of settings including outdoors and in a busy office environment.
Flexible work schedule with the ability to work weekday and weekends
Detail-oriented, highly organized, ability to multi-task in an often chaotic environment
Familiarity with local community organizations
Working knowledge of MS Office Suite — Outlook, Excel, Word
Well versed in our social media tools: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Mail Chimp

Contract: 2 year contract

Hours: Flexible, some weekend and weekday (15-20 hours per week)

Wage per Hour: Commensurate with experience

Start Date: ASAP

To Apply

Please send a cover letter and detailed resume outlining your experience as one PDF file to Executive Director Natalie Harder:
natalie@highpark.org
with “Project Coordinator” as the subject of your email by April 8th 2015.

We appreciate everyone’s interest in this position; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
No phone calls, in person visits or emails please.