Author: sue hemphill

We have nature programs Mon-Friday for children 4-13.

Please attached posters for details on what is available and how to sign up

2019tales and Trails-2    2019 Nature Fun Poster

Teacher Naturalists/Summer Staff at Scout Island Nature Centre  Applications Due March 1

The Williams Lake Field Naturalists (WLFN) manage the Scout Island Nature Centre (SINC).  The Nature Centre is located within the City of Williams Lake and includes a marsh and walking trails that provide wonderful opportunities for wildlife viewing.  The management of this centre includes conservation and enhancement of the wildlife habitat, research, and nature education programs.  If you are interested with at least one year of university completed, send  a resume’ including references and a cover letter as to why you would like to work at Scout Island shemphill at xplornet.com   You should be interested in nature, taken biology in high school  and enjoy working with children.

Job Title: Teacher Naturalist  Wage Rate Per Hour  $17.00  40 hours/week  14 weeks between May 1 and Aug. 23

The summer staff are involved in all of these tasks.

1. Develop Natural History Programs for children 3-13, families, youth programs and seniors

Teacher Naturalists design the lessons that are used for the School and Summer Youth Natural History Programs.  This requires learning natural history and researching.  The programs staff develop are used as school programs, family programs, elders programs and youth programs.

1. Lead Programs

May-June:  The Teacher Naturalists work together as a team to coordinate and deliver programs to local elementary and high schools at the Centre or at the schools.  July-August:  They coordinate and deliver the Youth Natural History Program for children 3-11 . They also offered to families, elders,  and community

1. Act as hosts interpreting natural history with the local public and tourists that visit the Nature CentreTeacher naturalists  learn about the local wildlife through  research  and mentoring from staff.  They will help to lead tours.
2. Development and upkeep of natural history displays at the Nature Centre.  This includes collecting live specimens, setting up display habitats for them, and maintaining the health of the specimens as well as helping the public to observe and understand the creatures.
3.  Assist in promoting the Nature Centre to the community through news articles, interviews, reports, and presentations.
4. Assist with local wildlife research.  They each design a plan for observing, data collection and reporting on the topic (osprey behaviour, turtle movement…)

7. Restoration and enhancement of native habitat at the Nature Centre

1. Represent Scout Island at cultural events/community events  like:

• Oceans Day in June (lead by our summer staff)
• Children’s Festival in May
• Aboriginal Days in June

Scout Island Nature Centre needs high school students that want to be teacher naturalists in training.  Applications Due April 1

This job involves taking care of live animals in the Nature House, helping with children’s programs, researching information about animals and plants, acting as a host that helps visitors at the nature house and lots of other cool interesting activities. You would start in April.  If you like it and we like you it can grow into a 15-20 hours a week for the months of July and August.  You need to be a responsible, motivated, self starter for this job.  Please send a resume to shemphill@xplornet.com that includes 3 references (teachers are fine as references).  Call Sue if you have questions—250 398 8532 or shemphill@xplornet.com

Explore Early Winter
Are the Animals Ready? Are You Ready?
Art in Nature Program at Scout Island
Ages 7-13 November 13-15 8:30-4pm each day
A Fall Break Program that will have you outside exploring, playing games and having adventures

Air Quality Sept 27 Workshop

Job:  Education Coordinator

Employer:  Scout Island Nature Centre  Closing Date for Application is August 10

We are looking for someone with a passion for nature, local natural history knowledge, and experience teaching in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings.  The Education Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating and delivering Scout Island education programs though out the year as well as sharing supervision of the summer staff and high school volunteers.  Programs include:

• • Stream To Sea Program (supported by Fisheries and Oceans Canada))
  • Nature Kids club activities and fieldtrips
  • Elementary and high school programs – in class or field trips
  • Summer programs – Nature Fun
  • Grade 7 Earth Challenge
  • Community programs and public events
  • High school programs – Grade 12 Independent Studies course

This position works in conjunction with the Executive Director of Scout Island and the School District Outdoor Education Resource Teacher and under the direction of the Williams Lake Field Naturalists (WLFN), the non profit organization that manages the Nature Centre.

Required Skills:

• Experience with education program development and delivery
• Strong foundation in local natural history
• Experience working independently and collaboratively as part of a team including other staff, volunteers, and directors of WLFN
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience teaching all ages in groups of 4-25 individuals
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
• Comfortable handling insects, invertebrates and other specimens
• Proficient with social media and word processing
• Willingness and motivation to research topics you aren’t familiar with
• Strong ecology ethic

Beneficial Skills:

• Salmon natural history knowledge
• University degree in the Natural Sciences or equivalent experience
• Experience supervising a staff of 1-4 – ability to give clear directions, provide constructive criticism and feedback when necessary
• Recognizes and respects cultural diversity and has knowledge of local First Nations and interest in learning more

This is a part time position averaging 100 hours a month.  The schedule is developed in conjunction with the Executive Director with a maximum number of hours of 1000 annually.  This allows the EC to take 1-2 months off.  Wages are dependent on experience and education level. Range is $25-30 per hour.

Please email your resume and cover letter to the Executive Director, Sue Hemphill, at shemphill at xplornet.com.  If you have any question, email or call Sue at 250-398-8532 Monday-Tuesday or at home 250-620-3498 on other days