INFLATION

In the summer of 1998, as a teen, I got my first paying job working at a community centre. I had no education or any work or life experience to speak of and so I had effectively no resume, either. I also was not required to submit a cover letter. The job description was basically “Stand there and prevent kids from smashing each other in the face with a hockey stick when in the gym or walking into traffic or getting off at the wrong stop on the bus during out-trips.” I was hired on as a daycamp leader for $11 an hour, or roughly $19 today.

I was looking at the job boards this week, two and a half decades later. Below is a perfectly typical job ad:

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Education and Outreach Officer

World Fisheries Trust

Esquimalt, BC

Full Time: 35 hours/week

Wage: $18.00 /hour

Contract length: 8-16 weeks

As a Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) position, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be between the ages of 15 and 30

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or to whom refugee protection has been conferred

• Be legally entitled to work in Canada

• Have a valid Social Insurance Number

Qualifications Required:

• Post secondary degree in biology, environmental studies, or related field;

• An understanding of marine animal biology and ecological principles;

• Experience working with youths (elementary and highschool);

• Experience with delivering educational programs;

• Valid driver’s license (use of own car may be required);

• Public speaking abilities;

• First Aid certification, and CPR-C (may be provided);

• Willingness to submit a Criminal Record Check;

• Team player;

• Able to work flexible hours, weekends;

• Priority may be given to individuals identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour);

• Proficiency in the English Language

Assets:

• Experience working with community groups;

• Experience in developing educational programs;

• Experience in event planning;

• Experience with website and online communications an asset;

• Experience in leading summer camps or other youth groups;

• Experience in science communication

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Organize and implement the Seaquaria Ocean Education program including:

  • Assist with specimen and water collection as required;

  • Develop, deliver and evaluate integrated, hand-on environmental and science education programs in classrooms, in the field, and online. Programs will be geared to strengthen multidisciplinary learning;

  • Assist the Division Coordinator in building and maintaining partnership with community organizations;

  • Deliver youth summer camp programs;

  • Update and create program resources including: lesson plans, activities, and videos;

  • Assist with organization and delivery of professional development workshops for teachers and volunteers;

  • Maintain records;

  • Provide technical & maintenance support for Seaquaria tank systems in schools;
    

• Maintain outreach communication efforts by:

  • Updating and maintaining the sea aquaria website with new events, information, and other resources

  • Participate in social media communications for World Fisheries Trust

  • Writing copy for monthly email newsletters.

  • Assist in organizing and attend community events such as World Oceans Week;

Please submit a resume and cover letter by March 31st 2024.

Thank you for your interest in working with Seaquaria Ocean Education. 

Only successful applicants will be directly contacted.

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SUPPLEMENT:

I was sitting at a cafe the morning after publishing the above when I overheard a related conversation: One of the baristas was talking to a much older customer about training to become an electrician.

Customer: "With a trade you'll always have work! It's a great choice. So what do they pay? About $30 an hour? $40?"

Barista: "$22/hr, the same as here."

Customer: "Hmm."