Remote Senior Coordinator, Discover Parks Nature Houses

Job Title: Senior Coordinator, Discover Parks Nature Houses

Reporting To: Manager, Discover Parks Ambassadors

Purpose: To ensure the seamless and effective operation of the Nature Houses within Goldstream Provincial Park and Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, furthering community engagement, learning and park protection.

Overview:

The BC Parks Foundation is the official charitable partner and conservation financing mechanism to one of the largest systems of parks and indigenous protected areas in the world, with over 1,040 parks and more than 26 million visits per year. Our motivated team has produced outstanding results, including raising over $400 million in the last 4 years, protecting over 55 beautiful places, and launching an internationally recognized health initiative. And we’ve only just begun. Our mission is to create the greatest system of parks and indigenous protected areas in the world.

The Discover Parks Nature Houses play a vital role as part of our mission. The Nature Houses, located in Goldstream Provincial Park and Rathtrevor Provincial Park, are essential hubs for visitor information, educational programming, interpretive exhibits, and community engagement. These facilities contribute significantly to fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility for park protection and appreciation.

We Are:

• A charitable, purpose-driven organization passionate about enjoying and protecting nature in British Columbia


• People who value spark, respect with caring, reciprocity, and greatness


• A warm, positive, hard-working team who operate in a spirit of gratitude and celebration


• Connected to a wide variety of community groups, First Nations, businesses, governments and other partners that we work with regularly

You Are:

• An effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to act as a team player and providea high level of service to park visitors, colleagues and external partners


• A strong leader with supervisory experience


• A relationship-builder with a service mindset and strong attention to detail


• Organized, proactive and able to efficiently coordinate operations, managing multiple events, programs, tasks, timelines and stakeholders

Role Summary:

The Senior Coordinator will oversee the operation of the Goldstream and Rathtrevor Beach Nature Houses, ensuring the facilities thrive as educational centers, visitor resources, and community-building spaces. This role requires providing supervision of seasonal Ambassadors working at the Nature Houses and supporting the Manager, Discover Parks Ambassadors, in effectively managing the team. The Senior Coordinator plays a crucial role in enhancing the Discover Parks program's impact and contributes to the sustainability of visitor experiences.

Key Responsibilities:

Operations

• Manage the daily operations of the Nature House at Goldstream and Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Parks, ensuring they provide a welcoming and informative environment for visitors.


• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate interpretive and educational programs and activities to engage visitors and school groups.


• Oversee the retail store within the Goldstream & Rathtrevor Beach Nature House, including inventory management, sales, and ensuring visitors have access to quality nature-related merchandise and educational materials.


• Ensure a safe and welcoming work environment for staff and visitors, developing, implementing, and adhering with all applicable health and safety and operational protocols.


• Travel between the Goldstream Nature House & Rathtrevor Beach Nature House to visit teams working in these parks and deliver equipment and supplies.


• Assist in the development and monitoring of Nature House plans and budgets.


• Assist with fundraising related to Discover Parks Nature Houses, including grant applications and reporting.

Program Development and Enrichment

• Develop training programs and resources for the Nature House teams, ensuring they are knowledgeable about park flora, fauna, history, and conservation efforts.


• Support the design and upkeep of interpretive exhibits to ensure content remains current, culturally respectful, and accessible for youth and ESL visitors.


• Interact with park visitors, providing information and educational experiences.


• Monitor and report on Goldstream & Rathtrevor Beach Nature House interaction statistics, program attendance, and other metrics to assess and enhance the impact of Nature House activities.


• Support special event planning in Goldstream & Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Parks.

Relationships and Collaboration

• Supervise and assist in the management of a seasonal team of Discover Parks Ambassadors and volunteers to staff the Goldstream and Rathtrevor Beach Nature House, including supporting recruitment and training to ensure the staff, facilities and programs are well supported.


• Create strategies for volunteer recruitment, training, and appreciation to enhance retention and morale.


• Foster collaborative relationships with park operators, schools, Indigenous communities, and partners to align Nature House activities with broader park initiatives.


• Liaise regularly with the mainland BCPF team, including Discover Parks & Marketing, to ensure clear communication and alignment on Nature House operations, updates, and emerging priorities.


• Travel to Vancouver on a quarterly basis for BCPF staff Team Days.


• Contribute to maintaining a strong relationship with BC Parks and Park Operators in all interactions.


• Contribute to a constructive, results oriented, and inspiring organizational culture.

All employees may carry out a range of functions beyond their core roles and are expected to help with advancing the organization as a whole.

Requirements:

• Post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate in environmental science, natural resources management, outdoor education or relevant discipline plus 3+ years’ experience in a similar position or a combination of education / experience


• Current first aid certification (or willingness to obtain)


• Experience with using a POS system


• Experience with merchandise sales, including inventory management and ordering from third party providers


• Experience in training and development, including the ability to deliver training sessions to teams


• Demonstrated experience in successfully coordinating and delivering environmental education and/or interpretive programs


• A genuine passion for environmental education and a commitment to promoting environmental awareness and conservation among park visitors


• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, based on operational needs and schedules

Skills and experience considered an asset:

• Prior experience in managing visitor centres, nature houses or similar facilities is highly desirable


• Educational focus on interpretation or environmental education is an asset


• Fluency in a second language

Work Environment:

• This is a full-time, permanent role working 40 hours per week


• The position will work primarily from the Goldstream Nature House with visits to the Rathtrevor Beach Nature House throughout the summer months, and occasional work from home opportunities