Zero Waste Community Advisor

 Part-Time Term & Casual Positions Available

About AWARE: 

The Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE) is Whistler’s environmental charity, established in 1989. We work to progress community-scale solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time. Climate Change. Habitat Fragmentation. Biodiversity Loss. Wildlife. Water. Waste. We work independently and with others to connect people with nature and build more sustainable communities. 

Every member of our small but dedicated team has the opportunity to create change from within the programs they work on – whether inspiring future generations to care about the environment, helping people grow local organic food, or supporting businesses to reduce waste. We find ways to connect with the things people care about and focus on shared values as a route to changing behaviours and shifting unsustainable cultural norms. AWARE is looking for personable, responsible and enthusiastic individuals who care about the environment to join our team of Zero Waste Community Advisors.

The Position: 

AWARE is looking for a number of Zero Waste Community Advisors to work part-time on weekends with some weekday shifts available throughout the summer. Zero Waste Community Advisors will provide education and waste diversion support by hosting Zero Waste Stations at events, in public parks, to businesses and around the community. Zero Waste Stations are waste diversion setups that help us deliver a range of waste related programming intended to reduce waste generated in Whistler and support the successful diversion of materials away from the landfill. 

We have several schedule options available and interested applicants will have the opportunity to select their preference as part of their applications. Shifts are typically daytime, however some evening shifts may be required. This position is flexible, has the potential to roll into future years and is a great way to connect with events and the community while getting paid. In addition, within the team, opportunities exist to become a Lead Hand. Lead Hands will coordinate team members on-site, ensuring they have the tools, training and knowledge to perform effectively. Lead Hands will need to be available on weekends throughout the summer.  Position is based in Whistler with occasional work taking place in other communities in the Sea to Sky region. Compensation for these roles is $20-23/hr (dependent on experience). 

Core Responsibilities: 

The Zero Waste Community Advisor role includes, though may not be limited to:

• Deliver Zero Waste Stations (waste diversion / sorting setups) at a variety of events in the Sea to Sky, at Whistler Parks and the Whistler Farmers Market.

• Become knowledgeable about regional and local waste and recycling infrastructure and initiatives

• Engage with the public to advise on waste management and build awareness of waste reduction and diversion techniques

• Assist station users with the correct diversion of waste generated to help achieve zero waste targets

• Set-up and pack down Zero Waste Stations (lifting equipment, working outside and standing for extended periods)

• Track and record interactions with Zero Waste Station users and waste material weights

• Relay any questions, concerns, issues raised at Zero Waste Stations to Manager

• Support ongoing improvement of event waste reduction by collecting feedback for utilization in future recommendation reports 

• On event days, act as an AWARE representative, helping to manage client requests and troubleshooting operational issues as they arise

• Actively contribute to a positive team culture and improvement of the organization through participation in team meetings, involvement in special projects and implementing learnings from post-event briefings.

About You: 

Qualified candidates have an interest in waste management and a keen commitment to the Whistler community and environmental issues. We will provide training to successful candidates to ensure waste and program knowledge. 

The successful candidate: 

• Has an energetic and positive personality with excellent verbal and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work in a team as well as self-directed

• Be able to work on weekends and, as required, adaptable to working an event-based schedule which can include late nights and extended hours

• Physical strength and comfortable being on your feet / walking for 8+ hours (you may be required to lift heavy items, like equipment, boxes of recycling bags, or bags of material)

• Comfortable getting a little dirty and being outdoors in all weather

• Comfortable with crowds, working with the public, loud music, bright lights, and fun!

• Knowledge of recycling and waste management systems in Whistler an asset 

• Customer Service / Front Line Staff experience an asset

• Eligible to work in Canada and located in Sea to Sky 

• Valid BC driver’s license or equivalent an asset 

• An RCMP criminal record clearance is mandatory for this position. 

Interested candidates are invited to fill out an application form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuqQjm52q9aU7sfEv9gf7sd63RlRn0gtYDYOU6owE2kpXHQg/viewform). Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis with a final application deadline of May 10, 2024.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. 

Staff Housing: 

AWARE may be able to facilitate staff housing if required. Please indicate this on the application form.