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  


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 upon 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: 
- Role-specific training in group management, interpretation skills, program content and teaching methodology will take place before each season. 
- For Fall 2024, role-specific training will take place at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Date and time are yet to be determined. 
- There will be ample time to shadow experienced leaders and co-teach before taking out groups independently. Shadowing dates will be chosen during training. 
- New volunteers must also complete the VBGA General Orientation and other online modules. 


Time Commitment: 
- One shift per week - we are currently recruiting for both morning (9:30am-12:00pm) and afternoon (12:00pm-2:30pm) shifts Tuesday through Friday. 
- Programs run on weekdays during the months of April – June, and September – November 
- A minimum of one year commitment  


Location:  
VanDusen Botanical Garden 5151 Oak St., Vancouver V6M 4H1

 
Supervisory Relationships/liaison: 
Candidate will be supervised by and liaise with the Youth Programs Manager. 

  
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 volunteer portal and fill out an application here:
https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/5757625f-27eb-4d6c-9df5-ff3182c978da/Activity/c3b9287f-786f-41ef-afcc-3e32dbb942c4/1