Education Coordinator

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Title

Education Coordinator

Department

Horticulturists Botanical Garden and Centre for Horticulture

Posting End Date

December 31, 2023

Note : Applications will be accepted until 11 : 59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Sept 30, 2025

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students.

Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

This is a term leave position with a target start date of March 1, 2024 for an 18 month term appointment.

Job Description Summary

To develop and implement horticultural education programs for UBC Botanical Garden and to be a horticulture liaison within the immediate and wider communities.

To deliver the Horticulture Training Program. To develop new community programs for local elementary and secondary students.

Organizational Status

Reports to Associate Director & Director. Works with staff, students and volunteers. Participates on various event committees for Garden community awareness and education.

Works with local school teachers and community coordinators to present joint education / community programs at the Garden.

Provides ongoing training and supervision of Hortline (the telephone garden advice program) staff and the Friends of the Garden (volunteers).

Work Performed

• Delivers the Horticulture Training Program
• Assessing, developing and implementing non-credit horticulture courses for the horticulture students, general public, including local schools and seniors
• Design and management of UBC Botanical Garden Horticulture Training Program projects within garden.
• Developing and maintaining garden horticulture community outreach programs to build awareness and involvement of general Vancouver community and beyond
• Developing public education courses including budgets, coordination of guest lecturers and materials.
• Assessing horticultural educational materials for off-site lectures, tours, demonstrations and Garden related events
• Acts as a media spokesperson and extension representative for the Garden.
• Engages with potential students, through recruitment sessions, orientations and UBC Botanical Garden open houses
• Develops and organizes volunteer and community education initiatives for the University Neighbourhood Association (UNA), and other campus organizations.
• Coordinates student and volunteer activity for the Hortline information service. Trains and supervises Hortline staff as well as acts as resource person.
• Plans, develops and coordinates displays of horticultural materials for public and private events
• Acts as liaison with local garden clubs and societies
• Speaks locally and internationally on behalf of the UBC Botanical, including formal speaking engagements or as part of official delegations.

Consequence of Error / Judgement

Coordination of community educational initiatives requires significant horticultural and educational expertise as well as a high degree of coordination with other staff and / or volunteers.

Poor performance will jeopardize the UBC Botanical Garden s high standing in the community. The Garden is supported by a significant cadre of volunteers (FOGs) and considerable outside financial support.

Ineffective communication would result in a significant decline in donor and community support to the Garden and therefore its viability.

Extensive community support and funding is a crucial element to the operation of the Garden.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Associate Director & Director of the Botanical Garden. Works under general direction. Work is reviewed for overall effectiveness and achievement of program objectives.

Supervision Given

Delegates and supervises work of students and volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.University degree in Horticulture or related fields.Minimum of four years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Related qualification or experience in horticulture extension and public education - Strong and extensive horticultural and botanical knowledge.

Teaching and research experience required. Understanding of the role of a botanical garden at the University, in the city and in the great context.

Experience working in a complex unionized environment Effective oral and written communication, public speaking, organizational, interpersonal, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.

Computer experience required (MS Office, internet, email).Ability to plan, prioritize and execute workflow to meet deadlines under pressure.

Ability to interact and communicate with tact and discretion with multicultural sensitivity when dealing with internal and external contacts.