Overview

This position supports the delivery of an innovative and engaging national youth service initiative focused on youth leadership & development, instilling conservation ethics, and inspiring a culture or service for ocean health. The program specialist works directly with youths and young professionals (aged 18 to 30), including those from marginalized and racialized communities, during bi-weekly 1:1 coaching calls to empower youth ambassadors with the resources, knowledge and skills to take action for a healthy, flourishing ocean. This position ensures youth-led service activities are well planned, delivered on time, within budget and are aligned with Ocean Wise values and conservation priorities. The program specialist also facilitates youths’ participation in distance-learning activities and co-leads immersive learning journeys informed by experiential and place-based education.

We are recruiting for four full-time contract positions starting April 1st and ending Oct 29th 2022, with possible extension dependent on funding. While Ocean Wise headquarters are located in Vancouver, BC, the work location for each position will be determined by the needs of program. We are seeking applications from across Canada coast-to-coast.

POSITION OUTCOMES

  • Coach 12 to 20 youths (aged 18-30), per cohort, during their 6-month Ocean Bridge service placement including guidance with goal setting, project ideation, planning, and delivery.
  • Support ambassadors in engaging 50 local volunteers to participate in their ocean service initiatives.
  • Ensure youth ambassadors achieve and log 300 personal service hours and 200 collective service hours by their local peers.
  • Share youths’ achievements in ocean conservation by coordinating communication of youths’ service initiatives, successes stories and reflections.
  • Assist facilitation of the immersive learning journeys including two 10-day remote trips and one 5-day urban trip.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Providing youth ambassadors individualized coaching to set and achieve personal and professional skill development goals and ocean service goals during their 6-month Ocean Bridge service placement; actively sharing coaching resources and tools with colleagues.
  • Guiding youths as individuals or in teams through the ideation, planning and delivery of ocean service projects ensuring alignment with the organization’s values, mission, and conservation initiatives.
  • Co-leading delivery of service-oriented remote and urban learning journeys following best practices for service-learning, experiential education, and place-based education.
  • Liaising with communications team to identify opportunities to feature youths’ achievements and ensure youths initiatives follow Ocean Wise best of brand principles.
  • Role modeling positive safety culture by adhering to and enforcing the organization’s health & safety policies, risk management plans, and code of conduct.
  • Performing additional duties as required.

QUALIFICAITONS/SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Personal suitability: You are a highly engaged individual who enjoys interacting with individuals of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and ethnicities. You possess the capacity to tailor your communication to your audience; you are patient, respectful and demonstrate positivity in your day to day interactions with others. You can work independently, with a partner, and as a part of a team. You are flexible, able to respond quickly and adjust to new information and changing conditions or circumstances. You communicate effectively at all levels and always stay respectful and inclusive with colleagues, volunteers, and partners. You have excellent oral and communication skills and are self-motivated and passionate about ocean conservation.

ABSOLUTES

  • Experience delivering innovative, engaging educational programs; OR Teaching experience with 15-30 year olds; OR volunteer management experience with 15-30 year olds;
  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Environmental Studies, or related field; OR 2 years of work experience in youth engagement, education or related field;
  • Respectful and youth-centred student management skills;
  • Proficiency with online learning tools and Microsoft Office products;
  • Ability to work efficiently in a dynamic environment, multitask, respond to time sensitive changes, all while maintain a flexible, positive attitude;
  • Excellent time and task management skills and respect of deadlines;
  • Receives feedback with positive, growth mindset and demonstrates prompt integration of feedback;
  • Ability to observe and assess youth participant behavior and enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures;
  • Ability to work well under minimal supervision, self-monitor workload, identify opportunities to collaborate and to take initiative;
  • Strong bilingual skills: French and English (mandatory for Quebec-based positions; beneficial for positions in other regions).

BENEFICIAL

  • Knowledge of experiential education, service-learning and environmental education;
  • Knowledge of ocean conservation issues, research, and solutions;
  • Knowledge of social justice concepts;
  • Knowledge of Indigenous perspectives, reconciliation, and relationship building;
  • Coaching, facilitation, and group management skills.