School Gardens Program Assistant

The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) is a charitable organization based in Vancouver, BC. Our work focuses on urban sustainability in the areas of zero waste, food security, and sustainable energy and transportation.

The School Gardens Program has operated for over 15 years reaching school aged children and youth from K to Grade 12, to facilitate food and ecological literacy education in an outdoor classroom. Our goal is to connect children to their food, to each other, to nature and their community.
To learn more about our work, visit our website www.spec.bc.ca/school-gardens

The Program is seeking up to 5 energetic volunteers to assist with garden and food literacy activities for school aged children outdoors, on school grounds or nearby green spaces from March to the end of June 2023.

Volunteers will have an opportunity to build their experience directly engaging with school aged children and youth (ages 5 - 17 years) while helping to facilitate short activities on topics such as organic gardening techniques, pollinators, soil science, beneficial insects, and the seasonal changes with lots of hands-on gardening and nature observations. All volunteers will be provided with resources and tips to teach in an outdoor environment.

Volunteers will be supervised by the School Gardens Program Coordinator.

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan: Volunteers must adhere to all applicable BC Public Health Orders, BC Schools Health and Safety and school district protocols. It is recommended that volunteers working in our program have all recommended doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine in Canada; face masks are encouraged to be worn when entering and for the duration they are inside a school facility (except for when eating).

he Commitment: This is a flexible short term volunteer opportunity.
Day time availability is required. However, we ask that volunteers commit a minimum of 20 three hour shifts throughout the time frame of this project.

Preference is given to volunteers open to fulfill the shifts for the duration of the program.

Dates/Times: Monday to Friday. Shifts range from 8:15 am to 12pm and 12:30 - 3:10 pm or full day from 8:15 am to 3:10 pm with a 30 min lunch break. Shifts may be cancelled (8-24 hours in advance) due to inclement weather, staff illness and or change in a school’s schedule.

Start Date: Early March.

Other Requirements: Volunteers that meet the criteria must participate in an online interview and complete a Criminal Record Check prior to being considered.

To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to the School Gardens Program Coordinator, Sharlene at sharlene@spec.bc.ca

What you will gain:
This is a great opportunity to develop and enhance the following skills:
Time management, classroom management - practice working with young children, patience, learning to work in teams, communication, leadership, problem solving and listening skills, adaptability, conflict management, and confidence.
Making a meaningful contribution for school aged children, to develop healthy eating habits and strengthen their appreciation for the natural world.
Networking/Reference: A reference or reference letter (after 40 hours of volunteering)

sharlene@spec.bc.ca