Job Description:
Earth Path is looking to hire a part-time Nature Educator (aka. Mentor) to join their teaching team in Ottawa this fall. We are seeking sprightly candidates who have experience working with children in a creative, active setting, preferably in the outdoors. As an ideal candidate, you are friendly, adventurous, and professional, interested in developing naturalist and/or wilderness skills, and able to mentor children in activities such as shelter-building, whittling, sensory awareness games, story-telling, and nature crafts. Candidates who are keen to learn some of these skills on the job are welcome to apply.

Key Responsibilities:
Help plan and lead engaging nature-based activities for children ages 4-12 with a focus on fostering their nature awareness and connection, environmental stewardship, nurturing curiosity, supporting their positive social/emotional development, and building wilderness skills.
Help lead fun and active games.
Maintain an inclusive, supportive, and safe space for all participants.
Serve as a positive role model, and guide children’s behaviour in a patient, constructive manner.
Share nature-based stories and/or songs.
Record program highlights (via photos, quotes, etc)
Help carry program supplies and equipment.
Assist with the collection of registration forms and the daily sign-in/sign-out sheet.
Engage with parents during drop-off and pick-up, as needed.
Pre-brief and debrief with co-mentors before and after each program.

Eligibility Criteria:
Applicant must able to participate in moderate to heavy lifting of supplies, and be able to carry a heavy backpack and hike over rough terrain
Applicant must be at least 18 years or older at the start of the contract
Applicant must have valid First Aid and CPR certification, or willing to obtain certification before working with Earth Path.
Applicant must obtain an Earth Path specific vulnerable sector check if hired
Applicant must be bilingual: French and English

Successful applicants will also ideally:
Have a basic knowledge of local flora and fauna (preferred but not required), and have an interest in learning some teachable wilderness skills (e.g. whittling, knots, shelter-building, or fire-building)
Have experience working with children in a creative, engaging way that nurtures their hands, hearts, and minds
Be aware of children’s social/emotional needs and their stages of development
Be an astute observer, able to assess and manage risk in an outdoor environment
Be open to learning, sharing ideas, and receiving feedback
Be resourceful, flexible, spirited, and adaptable
Have good time management and organizational skills
Have excellent communication skills to maintain good relations with parents, community members, and Just Food staff.
If interested in applying, please send your job-specific resume, cover letter and 2 professional references to us at jobs@earthpath.ca as soon as possible. Please see Earth Path’s website for more information about our programming and approach, http://www.earthpath.ca, or contact Acting Director, Nikki Satira, at nikki@earthpath.ca or (613)-858-8822.