Summer Jobs with Friends!

Friends of Kootenay Lake is now seeking two Environmental Program Coordinators to join our team for the summer!

One position starts on June 15; another position starts July 1.  Both positions offer the right candidate $21/hour for 8 weeks at 35 hours per week. To qualify for the position, partly funded by the Government of Canada, candidates must be 18-30 years old.

Lake Stewardship Program Assistant
Temporary Full Time Summer Position
A – 8 weeks (June 15 – August 7)
B – 8 weeks (July 1 – August 26)

Overview

The Kootenay Lake Stewardship Program Assistant supports lake, wetland, and shoreline stewardship initiatives across the Kootenay Lake region on behalf of Friends of Kootenay Lake. The role includes event planning and logistics, fieldwork, community outreach, and partnership building to support ecological restoration, fisheries health, and watershed education in rural communities. The position is supervised by the Program Coordinator.

The Program Assistant recruits and organizes community volunteers, providing guidance and performance support. Working closely with staff, volunteers, Indigenous partners (including the Ktunaxa Nation – Yaqan Nukiy), local nonprofits, and community groups, the Assistant delivers high-quality stewardship experiences, effective communication, and culturally respectful collaboration.

The position also supports invasive species mitigation, wetland restoration, fisheries-related monitoring, and an Indigenous-led film initiative that highlights cultural values connected to Kootenay Lake.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Leadership:

• Recruit and supervise volunteers.
• Participate in work planning and project development
• Ensure consistent delivery of stewardship, education, and restoration tasks.
• Support volunteer development through check-ins, feedback, and field training.

2. Wetland & Shoreline Restoration Coordination

• Organize restoration work parties to meet objectives set out in project work plans.
• Support data collection, invasive species removal, habitat enhancement, and fisheries-related monitoring.
• Support mapping, documentation, and reporting on project outcomes.
• Maintain partnerships with environmental organizations, landowners, and volunteers.

3. Community Outreach, Education & Engagement

• Coordinate outreach events, workshops, and educational displays throughout rural communities.
• Support the creation of materials on lake ecology, fisheries, watershed science, and stewardship practices.
• Maintain relationships with Indigenous partners, community groups, schools, and volunteers.

4. Lake Cleanup & Stewardship Events

• Organize shoreline cleanups, stewardship workshops, and volunteer activities.
• Manage logistics, safety, volunteer coordination, supplies, and reporting.

5. Digital Communications & Public Messaging

• Create Digital content including social media, newsletters, videos, and website updates.
• Collaborate on educational videos, graphics, and outreach materials.

6. Indigenous-Led Storytelling & Cultural Collaboration

• Support coordination of a Ktunaxa-informed film project on cultural values and stewardship.
• Follow cultural protocols and maintain respectful communication with Indigenous partners.
• Follow Indigenous guidance and support accurate representation of cultural knowledge.

7. Invasive Species Mitigation & Public Education

• Oversee monitoring, removal, and outreach at boat launches, beaches, and community events.
• Maintain relationships with regional invasive species networks and support data reporting.

8. Program Administration & Reporting

• Track budgets, grant deliverables, volunteer hours, and program metrics.
• Prepare reports summarizing stewardship outcomes, monitoring data, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Must be 15-30 years old on the first day of employment
• Interest in ecology, watershed science, environmental education, fisheries, or community engagement
• Comfortable interacting with the public and working with volunteers
• Ability to work outdoors in varying conditions
• Strong communication skills
• Experience with social media, photography, or digital content creation an asset
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Valid driver’s license an asset

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on environmental and fisheries-related field experience
• Training in lake ecology, wetland restoration, invasive species management, and community engagement
• Experience collaborating with Indigenous partners and supporting a cultural storytelling project
• Skills in public outreach, communications, and event coordination
• A meaningful role contributing to environmental health and community resilience in rural Kootenay Lake communities

Equity & Inclusion Statement

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to supporting youth facing barriers to employment. Preference will be given to Indigenous, Black, racialized, rural/remote, and other equity-seeking youth. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify in their application if they wish.

How to Apply

Send a cover letter and a resume in PDF format to melanie@friendsofkootenaylake.ca. Include your name in the filename of each PDF. The cover letter should explain how your recent work history relates to the job and what draws you to the position.