Cart 0
Please choose from the volunteer options below for more information.
Help the Garden Grow: Volunteer On-Site or Join Our Board!
Current Volunteer Positions
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden prides itself on hiring individuals passionate about culture and history who can wow guests with their omotenashi [hospitality]! Our team is essential as we welcome guests worldwide, lead tours, teach new skills, and create memorable experiences.
Help Shape the Future of Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
The Lethbridge & District Japanese Garden Society is seeking dedicated community members who wish to make a meaningful impact. If you’re passionate about culture, community building, and supporting one of Southern Alberta’s most treasured spaces, we invite you to consider joining our Board of Directors or serving on one of our committees.
For a $100 annual fee, you can step into a leadership role that helps guide the vision, operations, and future growth of Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.
By joining our Board or committees, you will:
- Contribute to the strategic direction of the Garden
- Support cultural programming, community events, and educational initiatives
- Collaborate with engaged volunteers and local leaders
- Help the Garden thrive as a destination rooted in cultural appreciation, friendship, and connection
- Grow your experience in leadership, planning, and nonprofit governance
- Whether your strengths are in event planning, finance, cultural outreach, community engagement, or operations, there is a place for your talents.
Career Opportunities
Visitor Experience Servers
Lethbridge, AB T1J 1M8
From $16 an hour
Fixed term contract, Seasonal, Part-time, Casual, Full-time
Apply now
Job details
From $16 an hour
Store discount, Discounted or free food, On-site parking
Fixed term contract, Seasonal, Part-time, Casual, Full-time
Lethbridge, AB T1J 1M8
Full job description
VISITOR EXPERIENCE SERVERS
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is now accepting applications for the position of Visitor Experience Servers. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual that will work with a team of Servers inside the Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre to deliver a visitor experience that is educational, engaging, and memorable. The Visitor Experience Server will take direction from the Visitor Experience Supervisor and support the Venue & Events Coordinator to ensure that our Society reflects our Mission and Vision statement of the Lethbridge & District Japanese Garden Society.
Mission: The Lethbridge & District Japanese Garden Society celebrates the influences of people of Japanese ancestry, narrating a history of this region through garden architecture, the natural environment, and culture in Southern Alberta.
Our Vision for Impact: Visitors who experience our world-class destination will be nurtured by the garden landscape, architecture, and programming and will be inspired by the beauty of our diverse community. This role will support our team’s organization and efficiency and demonstrate strong initiative and interpersonal and organizational skills. The Visitor Experience Server will report to the Visitor Experience Supervisor and perform a supporting role with our department managers, supervisors, host team, team leads, seasonal staff and volunteers.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Leading visitor experiences by supporting bookings including school and group tours, venue rentals such as weddings and private receptions and other private bookings.
- Working in our cafe and gift shop while engaging with guests, communicating events happening in the garden and promoting our experiences and products.
- Following Occupational Health and Wellness policies to ensure proper safety practices are being followed for the health and safety of visitors and staff.
REQUIRED SKILLS & CERTIFICATIONS
Previous high level of experience working in customer service, retail, restaurants, tourism and hospital industries.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills including conflict-resolution skills.
- Experience with online software Microsoft/Teams.
- Experience with Online Ticketing Systems and Point of Sale (POS) Systems.
Pro-Serve is mandatory and a requirement for the job. Training will be provided through AGLC. You must be 18+ to have your pro-serve certificate.
Active Food Safe Certification.
- Understanding of Japanese language, history, and culture is considered a huge asset.
PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS:
Provide a welcoming environment for local and international visitors through a high quality customer service and exceptional hospitality
- Maintain healthy and positive public relations with visitors, the local community, board members, performers, and service providers.
- Support any customer challenges in a positive and professional manner
- Communicate any incidents or customer complaints to the management
- Provide cultural and historical information related to Japanese culture, horticulture and landscape design, arts, festivals, and special events at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.
- Promote and maximize sales in the gift shop and café by becoming knowledgeable about all merchandise, products, and experiences.
- Educate guests about the significance of unique Japanese products to enhance retail and café engagement.
- Assist with private group bookings and special events, including school or group tours, venue rentals, and experience packages.
- Demonstrate proficiency in operating the Point of Sale (POS) system and all online ticketing platforms.
- Support ongoing inventory management of café supplies, retail merchandise, and liquor, ensuring proper placement and restocking as needed.
- Ensure all workstations and shops are clean, safe, and welcoming to guests.
- Collaborate with the Venue & Events Coordinator and Education & Program team, maintaining clear communication via walkie-talkies and onsite phones.
- Work closely with the Visitor Experience Supervisor, and the Marketing & Sales Manager to ensure products are promoted, and signage has the most up-to-date information and is placed strategically.
Physical Demands:
This job will require lifting of tables, chairs, and other items up to 25lbs.
- This job will require janitorial support in caring for our areas and after bookings clean up.
Serving food and beverages through the cafe and through special events – Nikka Yuko is a fully licensed facility and Pro-Serve is required for all staff to ensure proper liquor service is adhered to at all times.
You will work closely with Management and the Visitor Experience Supervisor to ensure that our Society and Operation must adhere to any legislative requirements, including Policies and Procedures, are observed. Other duties may be assigned as required to meet the administrative and operational needs of Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. All applicants are thanked in advance for their interest however, only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
Job Types: Fixed term contract, Casual, Seasonal, Full Time, Part Time
Benefits:
Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Licence/Certification:
- ProServe (preferred)
- Food Handler Certification (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Pay: From $16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Licence/Certification:
- ProServe (preferred)
- Food Handler Certification (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Marketing Coordinator
Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z6
$20–$22 an hour
Fixed term contract, Temporary, Part-time
Apply now
Job details
$20–$22 an hour
Store discount, Discounted or free food, On-site parking
Fixed term contract, Temporary, Part-time
Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z6
Full job description
MARKETING COORDINATOR
The Marketing Coordinator will work directly with the Marketing and Sales Manager and Executive Director to ensure that our Society’s Mission and Vision statement reflect those of the Lethbridge & District Japanese Garden Society.
Mission:
The Lethbridge & District Japanese Garden Society celebrates the influences of people of Japanese ancestry, narrating a history of this region through garden architecture, the natural environment, and culture in Southern Alberta.
Our Vision for Impact:
Visitors who experience our world-class destination will be nurtured by the garden landscape, architecture, and programming, and be inspired by the beauty of our diverse community.
To achieve this, the Marketing Coordinator will assist the team with many responsibilities to ensure our guests have a positive visitor experience in our world-class living exhibit while assisting the Executive Director and Management team in achieving their strategic goals.
This position ensures that Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, its programs, and events are successfully developed and promoted to Lethbridge and the area while researching additional methods of increasing visits to the Garden. The successful candidate will develop a Marketing and Promotion strategic plan for Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, understanding and promoting the garden’s mission statement, history, and Japanese culture.
The Marketing Coordinator will be organized and efficient and will support our team by demonstrating strong leadership and time management skills. The Coordinator should also have strong interpersonal skills as they will work closely with the Executive Director, Board Members, Management team, Supervisor(s), Front-Line Staff, and Volunteers.
Scope: The position of Marketing Coordinator reports to the Marketing and Sales Manager and Executive Director and performs a supporting role to the Community Engagement and Program Manager. The Marketing Coordinator will report to and work directly with the Marketing and Sales Manager and Executive Director.
Required Certifications:
-Post-secondary education in graphic design, journalism, marketing, multimedia or relevant work experience
-Pro-Serve Certification is required for this position
Required Skills:
-Excellent written and oral communication skills and comfort.
-Experience using Microsoft Office software, including online database management and file sharing and management using Microsoft SharePoint
-Experience writing press releases, conducting interviews with the media, and communicating clear messages to the public as one of our leading spokespersons.
-Demonstrated ability at using Adobe Creative Suite products to create professional and appealing graphics and design layouts to be used for advertisements, social media, digital boards, and other mediums
-Assisting in the development of communications and public relations policies, as required
-Knowledge of and experience utilizing social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok) successfully to promote and educate followers in unique ways tailored to specific audiences and demographics.
-Knowledge of and experience ticketing platforms successfully and with detail to promote and educate followers in unique ways tailored to specific audiences and demographics
-Ability to edit website content online events calendars and update them accordingly throughout the season
-Experience working with Google Business, TripAdvisor, and Expedia to add events packages and respond professionally to reviews.
-A history of creating unique and creative marketing campaigns and establishing timelines for all promotional materials, including ad copy
-Effective time management and organizational skills
-Supporting community-based marketing and fundraising activities, including ensuring corporate sponsor’s requests are met, including joint promotions and recognition in advertising and publicity, when required.
-Knowledge and understanding of the Japanese language, history, and culture will be considered a huge asset.
-Knowledge and understanding of the tourism industry and trade will be considered a huge asset.
-Event development and promotion. Working with the Management and Supervisor team to ensure our signature events are developed and organized, including community collaboration and engagement, and are highly marketed and promoted.
Position Overview:
Content Development and Graphic Design
Ticketing and Advertising
Social Media Support
Website Maintenance
Event and Staff Support and Engagement
Occupational Health and Wellness
Legislation Compliance and Awareness
Primary Job Functions:
Content Development and Graphic Design
-Support the Marketing and Sales Manager and the Education and Program Team in helping develop content for social media, websites, print, radio, and other media.
-Support the Special Events and Exhibits Committee (SEE) for exhibit development and support.
-Work with tourism and commercial agencies for content development in the tourism trade.
-Take photos and videos and create graphics, advertisements, and animations to boost our digital imaging on a national scale.
-Assist with printed content such as rack cards, brochures, posters, signage, and other promotional materials.
-Send finished materials to print for promotional and advertising purposes.
Ticketing and Advertising
-Assist the Marketing and Sales Manager by using a ticketing system to create ticket packages, monitor sales, collect visitor data, and use other possible online ticketing systems. To ensure that attention to detail is monitored continually. Dates/Time/Pricing
-Work with the Marketing and Sales Manager to develop effective target marketing to present Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden to the correct demographic
Social Media
-Monitoring public comments and reviews of the garden and responding appropriately and professionally
-Collaborate with the Marketing and Sales Manager on an effective Social Media Plan. Reflect on the plan yearly and adjust to refine the experience each year.
-Assist with posting frequently using all social media, including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and more.
Website Maintenance
-Updating the website by ensuring products, admissions, events, blogs, and news are updated in a timely manner.
Event and Staff Engagement and Support
-Assist with staffing events, programming, and experiences to ensure maximum coverage and the overall success of the chosen activity.
-Assist with content development of programs, exhibits, events, and experience with Management and staff.
-Maintain a positive work environment and effectively communicate with other staff.
-Always conduct yourself in a professional and confidential manner
Supports Occupational Health and Wellness
-To work with and support an OHS&W committee and initiatives.
-Monitoring our volunteer and visitor activities to ensure compliance with regulations and safety practices are followed.
-Ensure a clean, safe environment is always provided to our staff, guests, and volunteers. This includes supporting janitorial/custodial duties.
-To support and follow our emergency policy and procedures and to play an active role with the Executive Director and Management during emergencies.
-To ensure ongoing communication and awareness of our emergency plan among staff and volunteers, orientation, OHS&W meetings, and yearly fire drill practices are conducted.
-To assist in follow-up and to complete incident reporting when needed, including maintenance reports
Legislation Compliance and Awareness:
This position is aware and will support the team in ensuring legislative compliance is followed.
Alberta Gaming and Liquor (Pro-Serve, etc)
Alberta Occupation, Health and Wellness Legislation
Alberta Health and Wellness (Food Handling and Food Safe/Food Permit)
Governance and Employee Handbook
Food and Beverage services are part of the programming. Pro-Serve is an asset as Nikka Yuko is a fully licensed facility with grounds. Proper handwashing and safe food handling are part of the job expectation.
You will work closely with the Executive Director and Management to ensure that our Society and Operation must adhere to any legislative requirements, including Policies and Procedures, are observed.
Physical Demands:
This job will require lifting tables, chairs, exhibit pieces, and other items to 25 lbs.
This job will require janitorial support to care for our exhibit pieces and areas and the after-program clean-up.
This job requires working outside in different seasonal temperatures. The employee must be able to work in warmer and colder conditions to ensure efficient and effective operations.
Other delegated duties as required to meet administrative and operational needs, particularly those related to elements of Japanese culture and protocols.
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: $20.00-$22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
Our Mission
我々の使命
The Lethbridge & District Japanese Garden Society, celebrates the influences of people of Japanese ancestry, narrating the history of this region through garden architecture, the natural environment, and the culture in Southern Alberta.
Corporate Sponsors
