Vancouver Botanical Garden Association (Docent Volunteer – Bloedel)

Organization Name: Vancouver Botanical Garden Association
Opportunity Title: Docent Volunteer – Bloedel
Category: Education / Training / Teaching
Commitment: 6 months to 1 year
Start Date: September 4, 2023
End Date: September 4, 2024

Email: volunteersupport@vandusen.org
Website: https://vandusengarden.org/about-vancouver-botanical-gardens-association/
Details:

• Background/police check required
• Appropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55
• Appropriate for volunteers aged 55 and over
• Training or orientation required

Opportunity Description:

Docent 

Volunteer Position Description 

 

Organizational Profile: 

The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association, a registered charitable organization, delivers educational programs and Garden projects at VanDusen Botanical Garden, a 55-acre botanical garden and Bloedel Conservatory, a domed, lush tropical rainforest paradise in the heart of Vancouver. As Vancouver’s ‘green heart,’ we help to protect the globe’s biodiversity while acting as an oasis of calm in a busy city, providing a place for people to connect with nature and find peace in a world of plants and beauty.  

 

Purpose:  

Docents act as ambassadors to the Bloedel Conservatory and enhance visitors’ knowledge of plants and birds that live within the Conservatory through dynamic and interactive experiences with visitors.  

 

Responsibilities: 

• Share plant and bird knowledge, Bloedel history, and horticultural information with visitors through conversation and answering questions 
• Keep up-to-date and informed about Bloedel Conservatory and VanDusen Garden 
• Attend quarterly education team meetings  
• Record Docent activity statistics as requested 

 

Skills, Attitudes, Knowledge Required: 

• Interest and enthusiasm for nature and the environment 
• Enjoys interacting with the public  
• Enjoys teaching and facilitating 

• Willingness to learn and engage in new material and information relevant to the Bloedel Conservatory 
• Takes initiative and solve problems creatively in collaboration 
• Knowledge of Botany will be an asset, but not required 

 

Training and Orientation:  

• Online orientation and Indigenous Knowledge 101  
• The Three-Day Docent mandatory training course covers practical interpretation skills, basic botany, and an overview of the role of a Docent. Training takes place over three Saturdays: September 30th, October 14th, October 21st from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.  
• Comprehensive online and in person ongoing training and education opportunities 
• The training will take place at Vandusen Garden at 5251 Oak Street and at Bloedel Conservatory at  4600 Cambie Street.  

 

Time Commitment: 

• A minimum of 3 regular shifts per month for a minimum of one year 
• 11:00 am to 2:00 pm weekdays and 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 1:00 to 4:00 pm on weekends.  

 

 

 

 

Location:  

Bloedel Conservatory – 4600 Cambie Street and 4600 Cambie Street, Vancouver.  

 

Supervisory Relationships/liaison: Candidate will be supervised and liaise with the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator and the Senior Manager Volunteer Engagement  

 

Authority/Decision Making: Must be comfortable following guidelines, making decisions, and problem solving with minimal supervision.  

 

Volunteer Benefits:  

• Enhance botanical knowledge, further develop customer service and communication skills  
• Opportunity to work with a dedicated team in a well-respected charity 

• Contribute your time and talents in an impactful way for a worthwhile cause  
• Reference letter 

 

 

To apply, please visit Vancouver Botanical Garden Association at Volunteer Portal.  

 

 

 

The VBGA is committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities.