OVERVIEW

The Outdoor School Program Leader plays a key role in the Outdoor School Program (ODS) at Cheakamus Centre. ODS runs from October to May each school year and involves 4-day programs with grade 6 students and 3-day programs with grade 4 students. The primary duties of the ODS Program Leader are to: orient students and facilitate and lead meal service; assist with field studies and recreation programs; mentor, train and work alongside secondary school student counsellors. This is a highly dynamic role, with shifting duties throughout each program week.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilitate meal service and supervise students at meals; assist with monitoring of special dietary requirements and ensuring meals are timely and organized
Coordinate and supervise chores with secondary school counsellors and cabin groups
Supervise recreation programs (i.e. garden games, archery, team building and more), which are facilitated by secondary school student counsellors
Facilitate outdoor and environmental learning Field Studies (i.e. farm, salmon, birds, forest and more)
Assist with training, mentoring and supervising secondary school counsellors
Maintain safety and wellbeing of students as part of program staff team
Contribute to the creation of a welcoming and inclusive culture for all
Liaise with program staff, visiting teachers and administrators, parents, etc. on program logistics and student concerns, some of which may be confidential in nature
Assist with providing counsellor feedback
Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

First Aid Certificate – OFA Level 2 preferred, or equivalent
Willing to submit a current Criminal Record Check, with Vulnerable Sector Check
Experience working with youth and children in outdoor education setting
Experience mentoring youth in leadership development
Strong interest in developing personal leadership skills
Work effectively independently and in a collaborative team environment
Work varied hours including early mornings and occasional weekends (schedule will be known well in advance)
Friendly, positive and enthusiastic approach
Strong time and group management to ensure meal times are smooth and on time
Strong communication skills including ability to provide constructive feedback to youth

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Experience and/or interest in nature interpretation and outdoor and environmental education.
Interest in mentoring secondary school students
Experience with the Outdoor School Program, and its mission, vision, values and goals

JOB TERM

October 2024 – May 2025 (excluding holidays and non-programming times)

*The ideal candidate would also be available as a Field School Program Leader. This role involves direct program facilitation during the Field School Season. This staff member would then transition into the ODS role in October and back to the Program Leader role in May.

Term Schedule:

End of August – October: Field School – program facilitation (day and evening shifts available)
October – May: Outdoor School – program support (12 hour day shifts required)
May-June: Field School - program facilitation (day and evening shifts available)

JOB LOCATION

Cheakamus Centre, Brackendale, BC (near Squamish)

COMPENSATION

Pay starting at $21.00/hr. (35-40 hours per program week, with an averaging agreement)
Room & Partial Board (optional) – please note: meals are only provided during programming periods
Staff discount at Listel hotels and Listel owned restaurants

ABOUT US

Located on 420 acres of ecological reserve lands in the Cheakamus River Valley near Squamish, BC, Cheakamus Centre is a world-class outdoor learning centre that brings together the values of environmental stewardship and sustainability through place-based learning. We would like to thank the Skwxwú7mesh Nation, upon whose unceded traditional territory Cheakamus Centre resides. We value the opportunity to welcome others to learn, gather and share in nature on this traditional territory. The land Cheakamus Centre is situated on has always been a place of learning for the Chʼiyáḵmesh people, who for millennia have passed on their culture, history, and traditions from one generation to the next on this site.

Cheakamus Centre is committed to supporting and building a diverse and inclusive workplace community. We welcome and respect the diverse backgrounds, experiences and talents of our staff and believe this contributes to programs that are welcoming, relevant and accessible for learners of all ages.

For more information on Cheakamus Centre, visit our website at www.cheakamuscentre.ca

APPLICATION PROCESS

Email a cover letter stating why you are the best person for this opportunity, along with your résumé to: jobs@cheakamuscentre.ca

Please include ‘ODS Program Leader' in the subject line of your email. If you are interested in multiple positions, please provide all the positions you are interested and rank them in order of preference.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

July 19 or until filled. Hiring for multiple positions

We thank you for your interest in employment with Cheakamus Centre. Please note that due to the volume of applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract, Seasonal

Contract length: 8 months

Pay: From $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 – 40 per week

Benefits:

Casual dress
Discounted or free food
Extended health care
Flexible schedule
On-site parking

Flexible Language Requirement:

French not required

Schedule:

10 hour shift
8 hour shift
Day shift
Evening shift
Monday to Friday
Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

Brackendale, BC V0N 0A4: reliably commute or be willing to relocate with an employer-provided relocation package (required)

Application question(s):

Do you have or are willing to obtain a criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening?

Licence/Certification:

First Aid Certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-07-19
Expected start date: 2024-10-15