Dementia Gardens Program Staff

Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health

Thunder Bay

Part-time

Contract

Overview

The Program Staff, Dementia Gardens: A Place to Grow, will support the delivery of the Dementia Gardens adult day program by implementing gardening, outdoor, and nature-based programming for participants. Reporting to the Director and Program Coordinator, the incumbent will assist with program activities, participant support, documentation, data collection, program evaluation, and other related duties as required.

The role will involve working in both indoor and outdoor settings and supporting a safe, engaging, and welcoming environment for program participants.

Expectations:

• The position is one day a week, scheduled on Fridays from June 1 to September 30, 2026.
• The position is an outdoor position. All activities will be taking place outdoors except in inclement weather.

Responsibilities

• Set up and organize program activities based on the program plan
• Assist members in program participation and ensure every member is participating and feeling included
• Monitor and observe members during the program and maintain visual supervision
• Manage transitions between program activities
• Maintain a calm presence during programs
• Be positive and energetic
• Identify and mitigate safety risks for participants as outlined in the Policies and Procedures Manual
• Clean up and put equipment away at the end of the day
• Follow the directions of the Program Manager and Coordinator to ensure a cohesive program

Generic Responsibilities:

• Support the planning, setup, delivery, and clean-up of program activities in accordance with established program plans, procedures, and direction from the Program Manager and Program Coordinator.
• Assist participants during programming by encouraging engagement, inclusion, and active participation in a safe, respectful, and supportive environment.
• Monitor participants throughout program activities, maintain appropriate visual supervision, and support smooth transitions between activities.
• Identify, respond to, and help mitigate potential safety risks in accordance with established policies, procedures, and program guidelines.
• Contribute to a positive and calm program environment by demonstrating professionalism, flexibility, strong communication, and a participant-centred approach.

Qualifications

• A college diploma or undergraduate degree in health or an allied discipline including recreation and leisure, kinesiology, social work, health sciences, or nursing
• Experience (over 1 years) working with people living with dementia
• Experience with running recreation programs for seniors, people living with dementia, or other groups
• Strong communication abilities, particularly in interacting with people living with dementia
• A love of the outdoors (experience with gardening is helpful)
• Experience dealing with responsive behaviours
• Up to date First Aid/CPR certification
• GPA, UFirst, and other dementia specific training preferred
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible in changing circumstances
• Ability to work under supervision of the Program Coordinator
• Ability to be outdoors for a full day
• Ability to stand, walk, and move for 6 to 8 hours per day
• Satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.

Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343-8010 ext. 8334 or [email protected] to make appropriate arrangements.

Why Lakehead University?

Thursday, June 18, 2026 - 11:59pm

$22.90 - $24.45 (RFP 3)

No, not eligible for benefits

GEN-26-28

Thursday, June 18, 2026 - 11:59pm

$22.90 - $24.45 (RFP 3)

No, not eligible for benefits

GEN-26-28