Fall Outdoor Education Instructor

Job Purpose

As a summer camp, Sasamat Outdoor Centre prides itself on creating an engaging and supportive community where children are made to feel included in the camp culture. The supportive nature of the camp allows for campers to try new activities and develop new skills with the help of caring staff members.

During Sasamat’s spring and fall season’s we operate as an outdoor education facility. Every week starting in late April until mid June and during our Fall season from September to the end of October, we have school groups come to our site for overnight and day trips where they participate in experiential learning programs using all of the outdoor activities at camp. The programs work by exposing participants to new skills and challenges where they are encourage to learn and grow, then reflect on their experience. Some activities include; canoeing, kayaking, climbing and high ropes, archery, nature and ecology programs, games, compass work, shelter and fire building and much more. We provide 5 days of training on all of our programs including professional site-specific ropes training so that our staff teams have the skills and tools to have a fun and successful work experience.

The Outdoor Education Instructor is responsible for the care and supervision of Outdoor Education participants and is responsible for the facilitation of Outdoor Education programs for their assigned group/activity through the duration of each user-group’s stay. Full time Outdoor Education Instructors are guaranteed a minimum of 30 hours a week (although there is always additional hours available for up to 40 hour weeks) whether we have a school group in or not!

• To apply for a position please visit our website www.Sasamat.org

• Or if you have questions, please reach out to info@sasamat.org

***Important Note – We only accept application through our website (see above)***

Duties and Responsibilities

Staff Training

• To participate in 100% of pre-season staff training or at the discretion of the Summer Camp and Outdoor Education Centre Director

• To read, know and practice the information covered in the "Policies & Procedures" section of manual.  (Failure to comply with this information could result in discipline including dismissal.)

• To submit an application, criminal record search forms and necessary certifications along with employee agreement to the Outdoor Education Director

Participant Group Leadership

• To be responsible for the safety and well-being of the children, assigned to you by the Outdoor Education Director. This includes administering First Aid and completing First Aid/Near Miss forms.
  
  
• To develop and facilitate enjoyable and stimulating programs for your group using the resources of the camp and the outdoor environment.
  
  
• To encourage the development of each participant in your group and to stimulate the participants’ social development as members of a group.
  
  
• To introduce and stimulate your group's awareness of the outdoors and to encourage sound environmental practices in the use of outdoor facilities.
  
  
• To further develop each participant's skills in those areas in which you are proficient and that the camp deems valuable - e.g. cooking, swimming, crafts, orienteering, etc. Use resource staff whenever you feel necessary - e.g. waterfront activities.
  
  
• To keep the Outdoor Education Director informed as to the location and nature of your daily program should it differ from the schedule.
  
  
• To be punctual and enthusiastic in carrying out the camp activities/routines. To give sufficient notice when sick or unable to come to work, and to find a replacement for your shift.
  
  
• To keep an accurate attendance record of all your participants.
  
  
• To participate in final clean up tasks and debrief meeting after participants have gone home and/or facilitation work concludes.

Other Duties

• Outdoor Education Instructor may be asked to assist in duties not listed above. Sasamat Outdoor Centre expects the support of all staff members to fulfill objectives that may not be specific to this position.

Qualifications

Specialized Knowledge and Certification

• Current Standard First Aid and CPR-C (mandatory)
• Cleared Criminal Record Check provided by potential staff or provided by Sasamat outdoor Centre at the cost of $28.00 upon job acceptance. (mandatory)

• Current RCA BC Advanced Tandem/Solo Canoe Certification (an asset)

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and exercise initiative
• Ability to work with a wide variety of ages and demographic groups
• Ability to take charge and motivate others
• Ability to observe/assess participant behaviour, enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behaviour-management techniques according to Sasamat Outdoor Centre standards.

Experience

• A background working with children
• Participation in applicable leadership programs or related experiences
• A background working in outdoor education

Working Conditions

• Requires working in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions
• May require working with difficult clients
• May require some weekend and evening work

Physical Requirements

• Physical ability to provide active care, programming and supervision of participants, 5 days a week or through the duration of each use-group’s stay.

COVID-19

• Sasamat outdoor Centre and Association of Neighborhood Houses of B.C (ANHBC) is committed to protecting the health and safety of its employees and the community. Subject to legal exemptions, proof of COVID-19 vaccination status will be required for this role prior to starting employment.
• Job offers with Sasamat Outdoor Centre and ANHBC is conditional on you providing Sasamat Outdoor Centre/ANHBC with proof, prior to the start date and in a form satisfactory to Sasamat Outdoor Centre/ANHBC, that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  If you do not provide such proof prior to your start date, job offers will be considered void and of no effect. If you are unable to be fully vaccinated on the basis of a ground protected by applicable law, you may request an accommodation from Sasamat outdoor Centre/ANHBC by contacting the Summer Camp and Outdoor Education Centre Director immediately. Sasamat outdoor Centre/ANHBC reserves the right to delay your start date while it considers your accommodation request.  ANHBC also reserves the right to amend its COVID-19 vaccine requirement in its sole discretion.
• Sasamat outdoor Centre will work diligently to keep all staff informed of all Covid-19 related policies and procedures as they may change over time due to the ever-dynamic landscape and nature of the pandemic. For the most up-to-date policy information please visit our website at www.sasamat.org.