Forester-Educator

Job Description: Forestry & Invasive Species Forester-Educator

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will receive an update on their application within two weeks of applying.

Would you like to explore the forests of northern Canada, work around some amazing animals, and spend a lot of your summer in the trees? Yukon Wildlife Preserve is looking for several forester-educators to join our team. As the seasons change you will spend time in every part of our 700 acre preserve 30 minutes from downtown Whitehorse. You will work with the operations team on various hands-on projects, which may include building forest trails/roads, controlling invasive plant species, maintaining fencing, or conducting FireSmart forest thinning. You will also work with the Education and Programming team to deliver nature-based school programs and summer day camps.

The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is a zoological institution and a non-profit charity, dedicated to education, conservation, and research on boreal and arctic ecology. This position is well suited to candidates who:

• have academic, traditional, or working knowledge of forests and are looking to grow their skills in public outreach, education, and interpretation;
• or have academic, traditional, or working knowledge of public education, interpretation and are looking to grow their skills in forest and landscape management;
• or are early-career conservation or forestry professionals looking to practice their skills in forest assessment and operations and/or in outreach, education, and interpretation

Two start dates are available for this position: February 23, 2026 or May 4, 2026. Contract end dates are negotiable, between August 2026 and August 2027.

We are also hiring Wildlife Educators. If you are interested in both roles, you can submit one application and ask to be considered for both roles.

Please note that Forester-Educator positions are funded by grants from the Government of Canada's Green Jobs program. Candidates will need to meet the criteria established under the Green Jobs program.

Responsibilities:

Forester-Educator duties vary with the seasons. Every Forester-Educator will do several items on both the "Operational" and "Education" activity lists, but each Forester-Educator will experience a different mix of activities depending on their start and end dates.

With training and support from the Manager of Education & Programming and the Manager of Operations, the successful candidates will:

Operational Activities

• Develop planned trails to support visitor experience, animal monitoring, and public accessibility. This involves using hand/power tools and machinery to clear brush, pack trail surfaces, and clearing viewing areas.
• Implement evidence-based FireSmart risk reduction plans, specifically around fuel removal, for targeted areas of Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
• Support natural ecosystems through invasive plant surveys and removal across Yukon Wildlife Preserve. This involves walking through Yukon Wildlife Preserve landscapes to identify invasive species, as well as hand and machine-based removal of grasses, flowers, and shrubs.
• Improve visitor and animal safety by supporting fence maintenance and installation.
• Operate relevant heavy and light equipment, including trucks, loaders, wood chippers, mowers, and saws.

Education Activities

• Support other educators and interpreters with programs as required by assisting with program delivery, covering breaks, or student transportation/logistics.
• Deliver curriculum-based school programs and/or seasonal nature camps.
• Light cleaning and maintenance related to program delivery.
• (Winter only) Support program updates and the creation of new programs through research and program development.

Skills & Experience:

There are multiple ways that a candidate could demonstrate suitability for this role. Our list of skills and experience required includes "must haves" and then two potential candidate profiles. We encourage candidates who have some relevant experience to apply, even if you do not meet every criteria on the list.

Minimum Requirements:

• Clean Vulnerable Sector Screening (completed after you receive a job offer);
• Living in/near or ability to relocate to Whitehorse, Yukon (see resources for moving at bottom of document)
• First Aid certification (this can be obtained after receiving a job offer);
• Comfortable working outside in hills, plains, forests, and marshes in all weather conditions both on and off of trails;
• Comfortable with basic customer service and speaking to small groups;
• Able to safely lift 30 pounds to chest height repeatedly;
• Driver's licence;
• Strong safety-first attitude;
• Basic understanding of simple computer systems such as Google Drive, word processors, and email programs.

Eligible for this grant-funded position, under criteria set by Natural Resources Canada:

• Canadian citizen, permanent resident, person with refugee status;
• Not currently enrolled in school;
• Between ages 15-30.

Option 1: Forestry Background

• Experience with some hand and power tools relevant to forestry and maintenance, such as chainsaws, hand saws, or drills;
• Experience with operating some light and heavy machinery such as trucks, loaders, or plows;
• Some academic, traditional, or working knowledge of basic plant traits used in species identification;
• Some academic, traditional, or working knowledge of plant uses and safe harvesting practices.

Option 2: Education Background

• Experience in leadership, mentorship, and/or coaching;
• Experience working with youth;
• Strong communication skills;
• Interest, knowledge, and/or experience in arctic and boreal ecology.

Assets (nice to have):

• Academic, traditional, or working knowledge of plants and animals in the Yukon, including both native and invasive species. Knowledge of plants and animals in other areas would also be an asset.
• Class 4 driver's licence or equivalent (24 passenger bus licence);
• Experience operating light or heavy machinery such as loaders, plows, and trucks;
• Knowledge of GIS and its applications in forestry;
• Education in relevant field (biology, education, interpretation, outdoor recreation, natural resources, etc.);
• Experience in delivering engaging knowledge-based interpretive programs, especially to young audiences;
• Knowledge of Interpretive Theory & techniques;
• Knowledge/training in statistical analysis, program evaluation, or related topics;
• Fluency in a second language, especially French.

Conditions of Employment:

• Acquire and maintain a valid Standard First Aid/CPR-C certificate or equivalent;
• Maintain a valid driver's license (class 5 or better);
• Clean criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening.

Moving to Whitehorse:

• Moving costs and accommodation are not provided by Yukon Wildlife Preserve. If you are moving to Whitehorse for the purposes of work you may be eligible to claim a .
• Information from Yukon Territorial Government on moving to Yukon:
• Information from the City of Whitehorse on living here:

Yukon Wildlife Preserve covers the cost of vulnerable sector screening, class 4 driver's licensing, and first aid training for successful candidates.

If you have questions about this role please contact us at .

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 4-11 months

Pay: $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• On-site parking
• Store discount

Work Location: In person