IWCREI Instructor -  Ahousaht

Position: Instructor
Term: Contract
Wage: $360/day, up to 17 days
Location: Ahousaht First Nations Territories

Company Overview
Coastal Restoration Society (CRS) is committed to supporting First Nations, Provincial and Federal Government in the fight against climate change. CRS projects develop and implement solutions which mitigate the effects of climate change and protect the long-term health and productivity of marine and aquatic habitats. CRS projects specialize in removing anthropogenic pollution from marine ecosystems, support the enhancement of marine habitat carbon sequestration, mitigate the effects of aquatic invasive species and reverse habitat degradation in shared environments with a focus on First Nations territorial lands and waters. Everyone at our organisation recognizes the importance of a healthy environment. Whatever your job with us, you’ll strive and innovate to achieve a better future. Our role is complex and our work can be challenging - important work usually is. But your contribution will count, and so will you.
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‍Project Overview

The Indigenous Water Conservation and Restoration Education Initiative (IWCREI) is a project that emerged from conversations between Indigenous communities and Coastal Restoration Society. This project aims to meet the needs of coastal Indigenous communities for a marine and aquatic focused conservation and restoration training program that centers Indigenous science and knowledge. The benefits of this project extend beyond the Nations and students directly involved and aims to improve marine conservation efforts across the sector while improving co-management of marine and aquatic spaces.

The aim of the IWCREI is to create a course that meets the needs of the Nations who have requested this support. This is not a university course but rather a bridge that connects Indigenous science and knowledge with technical skills and provides hands-on experience. Course delivery will be land-based, and in communities across the territories of the Hesquiaht, Ahousaht, and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, and will be delivered to students from these Nations.
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The entire project takes place over the course of three years, and this will be the third year of the project. The first two years focused on course development, while the third year will focus on curriculum refinement and delivering the program to 32 participants.
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Job Overview

‍CRS is looking for Ahousaht instructors to deliver this course for the first time in Ahousaht Territory. CRS is seeking an instructor who will be available to deliver the course in Ahousaht territory from the dates of August 19 - September 6, 2024, with prep time the week prior.Instructors will deliver course contents and curriculum to 10-12 Ahousaht Students. Curriculum and course contents, including course delivery methods, will have already been established by a team of Indigenous Knowledge Holders, Industry Advisors, and Curriculum Developers.

Instructors will be expected to review and familiarize themselves with the course curriculum to ensure that they are capable of delivering information to up to 12 students at a time. Once review and familiarization is completed instructors will be responsible for the delivery of course components.Equipment such as PPE, monitoring equipment, camping equipment, books, laptops, tablets, etc., will be available. A copy of the equipment list will be provided to instructors.

Accommodation will be provided for instructors in the community at Ketchkie Frank’s Bed and Breakfast. Meals will also be provided. The Thunderbird Hall will be available for classroom components.Course delivery hours can and most likely will be divided amongst multiple instructors. You are not expected to be able to cover every module (see below) - you will be teaching alongside another instructor who will be focusing on teaching from a western science and technical skills perspective.

Course material and program design was led by six Nuu-Chah-Nulth Knowledge Holders and supported by five industry advisors, creating a holistic and comprehensive educational package that will be given to you. The modules of the program are as follows:
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1. Nuu-Chah-Nulth Worldview
2. Nuu-Chah-Nulth Values
3. Observation
4. Food Sovereignty
5. Landmarks and Place Names
6. Oceans and Navigation
7. Forests
8. River Keepers
9. Changes
10.Invasive Species
11.Human interactions and Pathways for Change

Job Responsibilities and Duties
‍●  Review and deliver a 15 day course in Ahousaht in partnership with other instructors with guidance of a curriculum and course package
●  Work collaboratively with other instructors to coordinate course delivery.
●  Provide support and guidance to students as needed throughout the learningprocess.
●  Review the equipment list and identify any equipment needed for coursedelivery. Ensure all necessary equipment is properly utilized and maintainedduring course sessions.
●  Maintain open and effective communication with CRS project management team throughout the course delivery
●  Deliver course contents to up to 12 students at a time
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‍Ideal Candidate
‍●  Interest and deep awareness of Ahousaht land stewardship
●  Interest and deep awareness of Ahousaht laws, knowledge, and protocols
●  Outstanding interpersonal and verbal communication skills
●  Comfortability instructing outdoors, on the water, and by boat
●  Punctual, reliable and well organized
●  Ability to be flexible and adaptive in response to challenge and/or adjustingneeds
●  OFA 3 or other First Aid experience is an asset
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‍Required Experience
‍●  Relevant community experience working with/instructing for Indigenous folks, and Indigenous land and water stewardship experience
OR Certificate/Degree in Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Language revitalization, Environmental Studies, Teaching, or a related field
●  5+ years of experience instructing in Indigenous Knowledge systems and/or an Environmental Field
●  Awareness of Ahousaht rights, laws, and protocols
●  Experience in course development and/or delivery●  Experience managing equipment for outdoor activities and ensuring its proper
use
In your application please include:
‍● Resume
●  Cover Letter
●  References / Samples of past work if available/helpful

We encourage people who feel unsure if their qualifications meet our requirements to apply. Coastal Restoration Society's Indigenous First mandate means we offer job and contract opportunities to members of the Indigenous peoples who territories our projects operate within.
Applicants are encouraged to self identify their community and connections. If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact

Please send your resume to hannah@coastrestore.com, with "IWCREI - Ahousaht Instructor" in the subject line.

‍APPLICATION DEADLINE: EXTENDED to August 2nd, 2024

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