Join our Team!!
About Osoyoos Desert Centre
On the southern edge of British Columbia's beautiful Okanagan valley is one of Canada’s most critically endangered ecosystems - the semi-arid, antelope-brush shrub-steppe. In the 1990s a group of concerned citizens eager to protect, restore and advocate for our disappearing desert environment opened the Osoyoos Desert Centre, a 67-acre nature interpretive facility.
At the heart of our mission is the desire to provide engaging, immersive experiences in nature, offering insight into our natural world and inspiring active concern for healthy ecosystems. Each year we welcome thousands of visitors from around the world, who take tours along our 1.5 km boardwalk trail, enjoy interactive displays in our interpretive discovery centre, and gain landscaping inspiration from our native plant garden. Through various educational initiatives, visitors learn about biodiversity loss, habitat connectivity, climate change and invasive species management, and take part in hands-on workshops like creating pollinator gardens or building bluebird nest boxes. We are also keen to deliver outdoor, place-based educational field trips to hundreds of students each year, working with teachers to tie learning outcomes to BC’s education curriculum.
Conservation Guide
ODC Conservation Guides act as ambassadors of ODC, embodying our mission and values in every interaction and representing the organization with enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication. ODC Conservation Guides create exceptional visitor experiences by providing education and information, sharing knowledge and stories, and creating lifelong memories. ODC provides comprehensive training to facilitate learning the role of Conservation Guide, ensuring our staff acquire the skills and knowledge to excel at this position and beyond, creating their own lifelong memories.
Key Responsibilities
Public education
-
Lead guided tours for the general public, private tour groups and school groups
-
Learn and effectively communicate wildlife and habitat information
-
Conduct presentations on local flora and fauna
-
Assist at special events including workshops and seminars
Scientific Monitoring and Data Collection
-
Monitor water levels in spadefoot breeding ponds and fill as per schedule
-
Monitor hummingbird feeders and clean/fill as per schedule
-
Monitor bluebird boxes and record bluebird data
-
Participate in ongoing ODC data collection and research projects including Behr’s Hairstreak Surveys
-
Record species sightings (iNaturalist)
-
Update log sheets (water, feeders, etc.)
Customer Service
-
Interact with visitors following tours and in the Interpretive Building exhibit area
-
Cover admissions desk duties (admissions and merchandise sales) as needed
-
Provide local, national and international visitors with information about the local area
-
Source information in field guides, tour books, etc. to assist visitors
Cleaning and Site Maintenance
-
Invasive plant remediation, landscape pruning and weeding
-
Clean and re-stock interpretive building, gift shop and bathroom
-
Empty garbage and recycling, pick up litter, sweep walkways, etc.
Special Events and Communications Coordinator
Osoyoos Desert Centre is looking for a Special Events and Communications Coordinator to help deliver a variety of special events during our 2026 season and help tell our story through various communications platforms. This position requires a dynamic individual with a passion for environmental education, a creative mindset, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to create and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders including community partners, funders, volunteers and the general public.
Key Responsibilities
Special Events Planning and Execution
-
Collaborate with ODC staff and community partners to develop and implement a comprehensive special events calendar, including but not limited to workshops, Nature Talks, special guided tours, community outreach programs and fundraising events.
-
Help coordinate all aspects of events, including logistics, scheduling, promotion, and on-site management.
-
Develop and implement outreach strategies to increase community engagement and participation in ODC events.
Communications Planning and Execution
-
Develop, implement, and manage ODC’s social media strategy.
-
In collaboration with ODC staff help manage and update content on ODC's website, social media platforms, and other communications channels.
-
Contribute to promotional materials, newsletters, and media releases.
-
Foster positive relationships with community partners, businesses, and local organizations to promote collaboration and support.
-
Interact with users and respond to social media messages, inquiries, and comments.
-
Review social media and website analytics and create reports on key metrics.
​
