The Rideau Roundtable has 2 available job positions.
Do you love working and being outdoors? Do you care about nature and the environment? Then we might have the perfect job for you!
We are looking for two capable, dynamic young people who are between 18 and 30 years old and Canadian citizens for our summer programs.
Canoe Tour Operator
Rideau Roundtable is hiring a Canoe Tour Operator (Gouvernail / Large Canoe Guide)
Hours per week: Variable (Weekly income guaranteed)
Salary: starting at $20/h Commensurate with Experience
Location: Commute from home to various locations along the Rideau Waterway
At the Rideau Roundtable we offer canoe tours as part of our public outreach and environmental education programs. The ‘Tour Operator’ is the ‘captain’ of the canoe; we call them a ‘gouvernail.’ The word “Gouvernail” comes from the French word meaning “rudder.” They are responsible for steering the canoe and navigating their course, much as they would have back in the 1600s.
Tasks and Responsibilities: This position requires specific and unique skills—being able to guide a 32-foot canoe and provide eco-interpretation about the locations along the Rideau Waterway and connected tributaries. This is where most of our tours are conducted.
The successful candidate will be trained on how to conduct tours in a safe manner in accordance with the guidelines outlined in our safety plan, Paddle Canada, provincial legislation, and Transport Canada regulations. Ideally, applicants will have completed Paddle Canada’s Big Canoe Intermediate Leaders training course and be versatile in the safe use of Voyageur canoes and safety & paddling techniques. St. John’s First Aid and CPR certification will also be required. If not already qualified, we can arrange certification for someone with ability, experience, and background knowledge.
The Gouvernail often delivers ecological, heritage, and cultural interpretation during the Rideau Experience Voyageur canoe tours. The basis of this material for these tours will be provided for you, but a motivation to learn about the flora, fauna, and ecological features is also required. It is important to also be able to communicate this educational material and describe points of interest while also instructing participants on paddling techniques and steering the canoe. The Gouvernail is the host of the excursion and will coordinate with the other staff members and volunteers to provide clients with safe, well-organized, and enriching experiences. They will represent the Rideau Roundtable and its mission to preserve and promote sustainable management of the natural and cultural heritage of the Rideau River.
The Gouvernail will occasionally be responsible for driving the canoes and equipment to the tour location or meeting the canoes there to unload and load them on and off the trailers. They will organize volunteers or staff to assist as needed to ensure that this is done safely. The Gouvernail is also tasked with minor upkeep and maintenance of the trailer, canoes, equipment, etc., and seeking repairs from qualified authorities when required.
The Tour Operator will help develop and organize interpretive programs for all events in the Rideau Experience program, including promotional occasions (like the Outdoor Show), Rideau Paddlefest, outdoor-ed school and Rideau Eco-Literacy Centre field trips in conjunction with the outdoor educators/program director. The Gouvernail will also help create and post social media content to promote our voyageur canoe program.
An ideal candidate will possess specific, job-related
fitness standards to ensure public safety; leadership potential; strong
paddling skills; a knack for storytelling; and a passion for nature and the
outdoors.
Email info@rideauroundatble.ca to askquestions or to submit your resume and
cover letter. All applications must be submitted before May 10th.
Educational Assistant
Rideau Roundtable in collaboration with the Rideau Eco-Literacy Centre for Children is hiring an Educational Assistant.
Hours per week: Variable (Weekly income guaranteed)
Salary: Starting at $18/h, commensurate with Experience
Location: Commute from home to various locations along the Rideau Waterway. There would be mentoring and planning sessions at mutually convenient locations. The public libraries we work with are Westport, Perth, Rideau Lakes, Smiths Falls, Merrickville and North Grenville.
Tasks and Responsibilities: The Rideau Eco-Literacy Center is hiring an educational assistant. This person would help with the creation and implementation of educational programming at 6 public library locations across the Rideau Watershed for children between the ages of 6 and 12.
A successful candidate will possess educational or personal experience in outdoor recreation, science, and ecology. The educational assistant will help create engaging hands-on activities, assist with logistics, and collaborate with mentors and library teams to present age-appropriate content.
Supporting the children’s success during the sessions will be a large part of the job. Helping to keep track of statistics, such as attendance and measuring outcomes, will also be an ongoing responsibility.
Being able to support social media postings and web presence in promotion of the Eco-Literacy program would be considered a valuable asset.
To learn more about the Eco-Literacy Centre, which was an initiative started by the Rideau Roundtable in 2023, please visit our website using the above link, or at rideauecoliteracy.com.
Email info@rideauroundatble.ca to questions or to submit your resume and cover letter. All applications must be submitted before May 10th.