Job Description

Environmental Education Instructor

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The Environmental Education Instructor schedules, markets and delivers the Authority's experiential curriculum-linked, watershed-based environmental education programs to school and community groups in Conservation Areas and greenspaces in our watershed. The role also supports planning, delivering and participating in community outreach events and festivals within the watershed, and recommends and implements program changes/updates.

The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) is a community-based agency that works in partnership with watershed municipalities to protect the natural environment. CLOCA provides environmental services within the Region of Durham, from the Oak Ridges Moraine to Lake Ontario - from Ajax/Pickering in the west to Clarington in the east. CLOCA encompasses a 627 sq. km mix of rural and rapidly growing urban landscapes.

The Environmental Education Instructor schedules, markets and delivers the Authority's experiential curriculum-linked, watershed-based environmental education programs to school and community groups in Conservation Areas and greenspaces in our watershed. The role also supports planning, delivering and participating in community outreach events and festivals within the watershed, and recommends and implements program changes/updates.

Responsibilities:

1. Delivers hands-on, curriculum-linked environmental education programs for students from kindergarten to grade 12 within and connected to our watershed.

2. Prepares, transports, sets up, and cleans up program materials and facilities (Enniskillen Conservation Area (ECA) and Purple Woods Conservation Area (PWCA)) before and after programs.

3. Maintains and organizes all educational supplies and materials required for program delivery and informs the Coordinator, Conservation Education of the need for replacement, repair or purchase of new materials.

4. Implements new environmental education programs and updates existing ones as directed by and/or in consultation with the Coordinator, Conservation Education and the Manager of Conservation Lands and Education.

5. Maintain electronic records of school group visits and participant numbers.

6. Provides customer service and booking support to educators and community groups, including follow-up communication to complete registration, supplying field trip forms and invoices, and collecting payment.

7. Markets the education programs to schools within the Authority's jurisdiction through digital and print materials, email outreach, mail, in-person delivery and website updates, under the direction and support of the Coordinator, Conservation Education and through the maintenance of a teacher contact database.

8. Assesses program effectiveness with the aid of an evaluation form providing educator feedback that indicates satisfaction levels with program delivery and content.

9. Supports the planning, set-up, delivery and clean-up of the Durham Children's Watershed Festival (serving as an Area Coordinator) and the annual Maple Syrup Festival.

10. Registers classes for and delivers Maple Syrup Sugarbush school tours.

11. Maintains education pollinator gardens, bug hotels and bird boxes at PWCA and ECA.

12. Delivers environmental education programs to local summer camps.

13. Prepares, transports, sets up and cleans up materials and buildings (ECA and PWCA) for outreach events in our conservation areas and when representing CLOCA at community partner events within our watershed.

14. Delivers informative and experiential outreach education programs to the public and organized groups.

15. Assesses outreach program effectiveness by looking at a variety of factors including, but not limited to cost, participant satisfaction, attendance, suitability of location and time of year. Providesrecommendations to the Coordinator, Conservation Education.

16. Implements changes to existing community outreach education events held in our Conservation Areas and develops new events as directed by and/or in consultation with the Coordinator, Conservation Education.

17. Contributes to the development of content for, but not limited to, displays, brochures, posters, and interpretative signage, etc.

18. Makes decisions within established guidelines under the direction of the Coordinator, Conservation Education.

19. Responsible for ensuring that education facilities are clean and fit for use. Duties include cleaning buildings, kitchens, washrooms, gardening, garbage collection etc.

20. Performa a variety of administrative functions such as photocopying information, arranging for couriers, emailing information, and laminating documents.

21. Supervises volunteers, seasonal staff, on-call and co-op students working on education programs or outreach programs. Under the direction of the Coordinator, Conservation Education, assists with the hiring, training, scheduling, assigning of work and ensuring accuracy within established project guidelines and deadlines.

22. Participates as a member of internal/external committees, as required.

23. Complies with CLOCA policies, procedures, vision, and fundamentals.

24. Performs other tasks as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

EFFORT

1. Uses creativity and concentration in the delivery of programs and preparation of documents.

2. Operates a motor vehicle, uses equipment/tools, etc.

3. Uses all senses to proof-read, watch birds/plants, identify animals, taste syrup, smell scents, touch textures and hear questions.

4. Performs outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, hiking, walking, etc. and stands, bends, stretches, sits at a computer etc. to perform other duties of the job.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

1. Post Secondary Education in Environmental Science/Studies, Natural Sciences, Geography, Outdoor Recreation, or other related disciplines.

2. Teaching Certification an asset.

3. Minimum 5 years related experience.

SKILLS

1. Strong communication abilities, including public speaking, presentation skills, and effective interpersonal communication--even in challenging situations.

2. Proven leadership skills, including classroom and group management, team collaboration, and basic supervisory abilities.

3. Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

4. Strong organizational, time-management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines under pressure.

5. Ability to adapt to changing events, circumstances, environments, and program learner needs with flexibility.

6. Knowledge of recreational activities with the ability to perform activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, and walking.

7. Knowledge of the natural history of the CLOCA watershed and the ability to identify flora and fauna within it.

8. An understanding of hazard identification, risk management, and health and safety practices for learners in outdoor settings.

9. Comfortable working with education animals.

10. An understanding of all corporate business to convey CLOCA's role in watershed management.

11. Ability to operate a computer and effective use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, TEAMS, SharePoint etc.) CAMIS software, plus a scanner, printer, photocopier, laminator and other common office equipment.

12. Writing and editorial skills.

13. Ability to use a variety of tools/equipment such as binoculars, a thermometer, a compass, a handheld GPS unit, a dip net, hand tools, gardening tools, garbage collection tools and light duty equipment such as a cordless drill and pressure washer.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

1. Valid Drivers' License, in good standing.

2. Certificate in First Aid/CPR.

3. Food Handlers Certificate an asset.

4. Current Police Vulnerable Sector Check.

4. Fluency in French language would be considered an asset.

5. Familiarity with local Indigenous history, communities, culture, ways of knowing and relationship with our watershed is considered an asset in support of meaningful relationship building and CLOCA's commitment toward reconciliation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Works in an office part of the time and outside a significant portion of the time with exposure to inclement weather conditions, dealing with multiple demands, working with a variety of age groups, abilities and class sizes.

2. Exposure to hazards when snowshoeing, hiking, operating vehicles, using cleaning substances and tools, etc., as well as when lifting, dealing with upset or irate individuals.

3. Will be required to adjust work schedule to accommodate education and public events taking place beyond normal office hours.

Wages and Benefits:

$66,675 to $81,120, 35 hours per week, benefits package.

Closing Date for Resumes:

January 16, 2026

Please submit cover letter and resume to: cgregory@cloca.com.

If you do not have access to email, please submit cover letter and resume to:

Cara Gregory, Coordinator, Conservation Education

Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority

100 Whiting Avenue, Oshawa, ON L1H 3T3

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $66,675.00-$81,120.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental care Employee assistance program Extended health care Paid time off
Work Location: In person