Job Description

OKANAGAN COLLEGE
Okanagan College transforms lives and communities. We are one of Canada’s leading colleges. We create outstanding educational experiences for our learners, both students and employees. We work and learn in a welcoming and caring culture. We are a catalyst for change through collaboration with our learners and partners. We serve, lead and anticipate the social, economic and environmental needs of communities.

Position Title:
Indigenous Garden Coordinator

Competition Number:
C002834

Division/Portfolio:
Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation

Department/Program:
Indigenous Student Services

Campus/Centre:
Vernon

Your Opportunity:

Under the supervision of the Manager, Indigenous Services, this position will be the Indigenous Garden’s key personnel. The Indigenous Garden Coordinator will work with the Vernon campus to ensure services constructed per the Sustainable Development Goals Funding program, tour guides and supplies are developed for each type of tours as outlined in the tour format documentation, marketing materials and interpretive signage is developed and printed, initial tour presentations are delivered to schools, businesses and the general public, administrative tasks are complete including webpage updates, registration and evaluative reports, and the indigenous garden is physically maintained.

Education and Experience:

Completion of a two-year college program in a relevant area. Minimum 2 years related experience working in a position that engaged with the public, community and/or aboriginal organizations.

This position requires applicants to be a member of Okanagan Indian Band. Applicants must have traditional knowledge of the Sylix people including cultural protocols and their connection to the land. Applicants must have knowledge of local indigenous plants and traditional uses.

Functions and Duties:

Tour Guiding
1. Complete the tour guide development from the provided format. Using the research gathered last year, review the content, add any new material gathered from consultations with local band members, document any additional relevant information, and review the overall timing and composition of the tour guide materials.
2. Learn the tour presentations in order to present authentically. Meet with elders to learn traditional protocols.
3. Develop the interpretive signage and marketing brochures for the Indigenous Garden.
4. Provide the set-up and tear down required for daily tours and ensuring all equipment and supplies are ready.
5. Deliver the tours for the general public, businesses and schools of the Indigenous Garden located on the Vernon Campus.
6. Provide demonstrations on local indigenous knowledge (cultural and plants) as part of the tour experience. Present a short demonstration of how a plant is used for medicine or crafts.
7. Provide demonstrations on smudging and gift giving
8. Prepare garden gifts used in tours.
9. Mentor OKIB members who are interested to learn about the plants in the tour presentation requirements (local traditional knowledge and plant information).
Administrative Duties
10. Complete administrative duties such responding to inquiries, organization of online registration of tour participants, review of online evaluations, ordering supplies.
Garden Maintenance
11. Work on the physical garden/landscaping tasks (weeding, planting, pruning, harvesting) to ensure the garden is properly maintained and to learn the location and biological aspects of the indigenous plants.
12. Required to harvest plants from the traditional lands.
13. Work with community partners to develop the garden infrastructure i.e. tulle house demonstration.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional public speaking skills as well as dealing with people in a calm, tactful, efficient and effective manner that projects a polished, professional and helpful image.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Must be very adaptable to the needs of different audiences.
• Ability to demonstrate creativity in the presentation of the tours.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, presentation skills
• Must have exceptional organizational abilities..
• Will be expected to use a variety of computer applications – both online and offline
• The ability to maintain positive working relations with community organizations, general public and college personnel..
• Ability to act independently, to organize the work required and to maintain accurate records.
Ability to complete physical gardening work.

Appointment Type:
Support – Non-Regular Full-time

Appointment Start Date:
06/17/2024

Appointment End Date:
08/30/2024

Annual Salary/Hourly Rate:
$29.84 – $34.05

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Shortlisted internal candidates must notify the current Support Staff Bargaining Chairperson and People Services if they want a Union Observer during interviews and final selection of candidate.

Posting Opening Date:
06/05/2024

Posting Closing Date:
06/16/2024

APPLICATIONS:
To apply for this position, please go to our employment site: https://www.employmentopportunities.okanagan.bc.ca/postings/13151 and complete an on-line application.

All applications must be submitted through our employment site to be considered.

Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions. People with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected]

Required languages: English

Education level: Completion of a two-year college program in a relevant area.

Required skills: • Exceptional public speaking skills as well as dealing with people in a calm, tactful, efficient and effective manner that projects a polished, professional and helpful image. • Exceptional customer service skills. • Must be very adaptable to the needs of different audiences. • Ability to demonstrate creativity in the presentation of the tours. • Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, presentation skills • Must have exceptional organizational abilities.. • Will be expected to use a variety of computer applications – both online and offline • The ability to maintain positive working relations with community organizations, general public and college personnel.. • Ability to act independently, to organize the work required and to maintain accurate records. Ability to complete physical gardening work.

Closest intersection: Hwy 97 and College Way