Youth Habitat Crew

By peter | January 3, 2023

Applications Closed

Youth Habitat Crew

Through this paid summer job, you’ll work with a small group of youth to help maintain EYA programming sites while developing land-based job skills like ecological restoration and medicine harvesting.

Three youth are outside smiling and showing off their braided grass.

Close up shot of a basket with plant cuttings and seeds.

Program Details

Location
Strathcona Community Gardens (759 Malkin St) and Renfrew Ravine (3998 Renfrew St)
Eligibility
Youth ages 15-25 who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, living with a disability, or targeted by other forms of systemic oppression. We prioritize applications from past EYA participants.
Job Descriptions & Dates
Crew Leader I $21/hour I 35 hrs/wk I June 17 - August 30
View PDF of Job Description
Crew Member I $18.50/hour I 30 hrs/wk I July 2 - August 30
View PDF of Job Description

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this job work?

What are the work hours & schedule?

What will I learn through this job?

As a Youth Habitat Crew member, you’ll gain skills in the following areas:

Native plant identification
Invasive plant removal techniques
Seed harvesting and processing methods
Medicinal plant harvesting and processing
Tool maintenance and use
Teamwork, communication and self-management

Crew Leaders will also develop skills in supervision, leadership, facilitation, and work planning. See full job descriptions above.

What is the application process like?

The application process starts with an online application form (linked above). Crew Leaders are also asked to submit a resume and cover letter. Following this, shortlisted youth will receive an invitation to a 45-minute interview over Zoom or at Strathcona Community Garden with an EYA member which is followed by a reference check. We know it takes time to apply for a program like this and will respond to all applicants, whether you are selected for an interview or not.

How big is the Youth Habitat Crew?

What does a typical day look like?

The day starts at 10am when you’ll meet other Crew members at one of EYA’s programming sites. The daily schedule includes an opening circle, a 2 hour morning work block, a 45 minute lunch break, two 1.25 hour afternoon work blocks with a 15 minute break in between, and a closing circle. The work includes completing site projects assigned by EYA’s Sites & Stewardship Manager and the Crew Leaders, including invasive species removal, harvesting plant medicines, watering, digging, cleaning and organizing. Crew Leaders will email Crew Members a weekly work plan to confirm meeting locations and projects.

What are your communicable disease protocols?

We use the following communicable disease protocols to keep our staff and participants safe:

Face masks are optional. EYA provides disposable masks for staff or participants who choose to wear them.
If a participant is sick, they should notify an EYA program staff right away. EYA staff may direct the participant to wear a mask / maintain distance from other participants, or ask them to go home.
Hands must be washed or sanitized:
- When entering and leaving the garden
- After coughing or sneezing
- Before and after eating

Program In Action

A group of six youth are smiling and posing while standing around garden beds. They are all wearing high visibility vests.

Youth Habitat Crew helping out with creating the new wetland in Strathcona Community Gardens.

Youth processing medicine harvested in the garden.

A young woman and man are outside and using tools to build a brick structure.

The Crew helps to maintain and improve EYA programming sites in East Vancouver.

Crew members extracting honey on a field trip to Alveole.

A group of youth and two EYA staff members are standing outside and posing.

The Crew at EYA’s main programming site in Strathcona Community Gardens.

“One of my favourite parts was how we all got along really well. I got really close to my co-workers and we were basically a family outside of the program - a whole new group of friends that I have and really connect with! I also gained skills to take care of the environment, communication skills, and how to work on a team with other youth to complete tasks.”

— Participant

Have Questions? Let’s Connect

Sophia Nguyen
Manager, Sites & Stewardship
(She/They)

Sophia is second-generation Vietnamese on her father’s side and mixed European on her mother’s side. She was raised on a small farm and continues to gratefully reside on the unceded traditional territories of the Á,LEṈENEȻ ȽTE (W̱SÁNEĆ), Kwantlen, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Semiahmoo First Nations. Sophia studied Global Environmental Systems, Resource & Environmental Management, and Sustainable Community Development at Simon Fraser University. She is passionate about engaging youth and those who experience marginalization in local environmental action. Sophia has eight years of experience working in environmental nonprofits, focusing on environmental education for children, youth, older adults, and immigrants, as well as on ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture, and community outreach. When she isn’t working, you can find Sophia outdoors—whether she’s gardening, camping, snowboarding, or teaching yoga! Sophia leads the Youth Habitat Crew.

sophia@eya.ca

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