Fort William Historical Park offers a variety of programs for school groups and other visitors including history, culture, on water canoeing experiences, and science-based options. The Park is one of the largest living history sites in Canada and invites guests to step back into the past and experience a unique time and place in history. It is also home to the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory which houses one of the largest publicly accessible telescopes in central Canada.
As the Environmental, Ecological and Outdoor Education Specialist, you will play an important role in supporting unique and creative historic and contemporary themed educational program offerings. Apply your specialized knowledge of canoeing, astronomy, ecology and outdoor recreation and your ability to consult with industry experts and stakeholders to plan, coordinate and implement a wide range of educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.
About the job
In this role you will:
• integrate science, history, culture, ecology and the environment to develop programs to explore relationships between nature, people and land use and to assess impacts on the environment
• develop and implement astronomy programs using research grade astronomical instruments
• liaise with academics, educators and enthusiasts to develop, implement and monitor quality astronomical and related natural science programs lead student and public program development
• develop and implement curriculum-based programs and learning experiences e.g. examining flora and fauna, investigating ecological approaches through time
• research and identify new program opportunities for parklands in accordance with environmental assessment guidelines and in consultation with regulatory authorities as required
• serve as safety lead and in-house trainer for on-water programs including arranging the procurement of trainers and training front line staff
• plan, develop and implement educational and recreational programming activities, such as bird watching, nature trails, hikes, canoeing, and heritage related recreation for clients of all ages
• participate in historical dramatizations, pageants, festivals, special events
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
Class G Drivers Licence
Specialized knowledge and skills
You have knowledge of:
• astronomical principles and research grade astronomical instruments
• the natural sciences and the teaching of its principles as it relates to a broad spectrum learners
• regulatory guidelines as they pertain to environmentally sensitive flora and fauna
• on-water safety standards and lifesaving principles and expertise in canoeing
• Ontario school curriculum guidelines to develop and co-ordinate programs and activities
Problem-solving skills and related experience
You have:
• planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills to resolve issues and respond to emergency situations.
• experience working at an interpretive site, museum, or educational facility.
Communication and interpersonal skills
You have:
• communication skills to interact with stakeholders, participate in historical dramatizations and interpretive demonstrations, and prepare reports and correspondence
• facilitation, training and instructional skills to guide and teach others
• ability to create and maintain stakeholder relationships
General skills
You have:
• planning and organizational skills to plan and coordinate activities
• demonstrated knowledge of computer systems and a variety of software such as word-processing, desktop graphics, and databases
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: