Day Field Trip Program and Ropes Coordinator

Brock University; Lincoln; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university is seeking a Day Program/Ropes Course Coordinator to facilitate exciting youth programs and ensure safety during activities. The position requires excellent communication and people skills, as well as experience working with children and youth. Candidates should be independent, responsible, and enthusiastic about promoting educational experiences. The role includes providing feedback, overseeing program quality, and supporting staff during various activities. This part-time position offers $18.60/hour and requires some training and flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a friendly and responsible service-oriented attitude.
• Must obtain First Aid/CPR Level C certification.
• Experience working with youth is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate day programs for schools and community groups.
• Ensure a safe environment for all participants.
• Provide training to instructing staff on program delivery.

Skills

Experience working in a challenge course setting

Excellent people skills

Effective communication

Ability to work independently

Problem-solving skills

Education

Completed at least one year of post-secondary study

Job description

Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement.

We are one of Canada’s outstanding comprehensive universities, where excellence and innovation thrive! Brock has been recognized as a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara for seven consecutive years. We have been ranked #3 as Canada’s Best Employers and top 10 as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity. For 2025, Brock has been proudly recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Company Culture, ranked seventh by Forbes in partnership with Statista. At Brock, you will find a welcoming, inclusive community and an exciting range of meaningful career opportunities.

Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.

Post End Date: January 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM This job advertisement is to fill an existing vacancy in the Part‑Time Contract Positions (Employee Group).

Department: Brock Recreation & Youth University
Pay Rate: $18.60/hour
Contract Dates:

• Pre‑camp training February to April
• April 27 to September 4, 2026

Hours:

• 5 hours/week February to April
• 40 hours/week April 27 to September 4, 2026

Positions available: 1

Job Description

Brock’s Youth University offers on‑campus overnight and day‑long class trips during May and June where elementary and high school students get a glimpse into post‑secondary life. They participate in experiential learning programs in science, technology, outdoor education, sports and soft skill development. During July and August, Brock’s Youth University offers on‑campus day camps to over 250 youth in grades 3 to 8 each week. Our innovative camps are divided into themes and carefully created to inspire every child. Every week includes exciting discovery sessions, adventurous recreation, and traditional camp activities such as swimming and high ropes.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Day Program/Ropes Course Coordinators will facilitate day programs f or schools and community groups , primarily grades 5 – 12 in May and June . Program themes include outdoor education, soft skill development ( e.g. community building and leadership ) , science and technology. T hey are also responsible for daily challenge course equipment inspection, setup, facilitat ion , and tak e down throughout the spring and summer . This includes team building initiatives, low ropes, high ropes, and climbing wall facilities. In the summer, they will oversee the challenge course and support summer staff where necessary. They are also responsible for maintaining a safe environment , both physically and emotionally for all participants while on challenge course facilities.

• Under the direction of a certified challenge course manager, the Day Field Trip Program and Ropes Coordinator assist s with supervising climbing programs with a high regard for safety and the confidence to coach and mentor fellow instructors.
• Communicate with day program clientele while on site; addressing needs, providing feedback and ensuring a high‑quality program for visiting schools, varsity teams and community groups.
• Role model for instructing staff the best example of desired behaviour, such as making the most of down‑time with participants, finding the answers to questions, tracking all close calls and incidents, leading activities in an intriguing way, or facilitating quality program modules.
• Provide frequent, actionable, specific, and timely feedback to team members in a positive and growth‑oriented way.
• Represent Brock University as an ambassador to the program and provide excellent customer service to program guests through careful planning of programs and problem‑solving issues as they arise.
• Provide some training to instructing staff on content delivery, expertise related to working with youth, departmental protocols and Brock policies.
• Work toward a high‑quality program by making recommendations, highlighting recurring problems, identifying and addressing weaknesses, and generally observing areas for improvement.
• Support staff members in their work with all youth, helping them to make accommodations as needed.
• Ensure staff members are prepared to facilitate the program: they know where they are going, what they are doing, and they have the resources and supplies to do it.
• Pre‑use inspect climbing equipment and elements before program arrival.
• Delegate to program staff roles for setup and lead discussion on activity planning for the day.
• Greet busses and initial contact for teachers and supervisors arriving on campus.
• Observe staff members facilitating program and provide positive and constructive feedback.
• Monitor climbing, ensuring staff are following ropes course policy, using proper belay technique and communicat ion with participants.
• Recognize scheduling and groups needs and ensure activity timing is running efficiently.
• Maintain a clean and organized equipment storage area and proper inventory of all equipment.

Qualifications

• C ompleted at least one year of post‑secondary study
• T he ability to work independently and manage time
• E xperience working in a challenge course setting is an asset
• E xperience and/or desire to work with children and youth in an academic camp setting
• E xcellent people skills and a friendly, responsible, service‑oriented attitude
• E ffective communication and teamwork abilities
• I nterest in and willingness to learn new technical skills , and develop personal soft skills,
• A bility to problem solve effectively and adapt to the changes typical of a camp day
• O btain ed First Aid/CPR Level C and a vulnerable sector police clearance prior to their first day of work
• S uccessfully completed all Brock University and Youth University training prior to work ( e.g. AODA, WHMIS, content specific, challenge course, risk management)

Expectations of student staff

We are looking for confident, enthusiastic, and professional ambassadors to Brock University and post‑secondary life. We do not require candidates to be experts in all topics, but rather we look for candidates with a contagious passion for learning and having fun with kids. We can train you in the specifics if you have the desire to learn! You will also be required to read, research, watch videos, and/or practice, to learn content independently.

• C andidates should be prepared to work outdoors for majority of the programs and be prepared for lots of walking, moderate lifting ( e.g. moving climbing equipment, carrying supplies) and working long days in a camp setting.
• Set up and take down equipment for each cli mbing program in a timely manner.
• Supervise and facilitate teambuilding/ leadership modules.
• All Brock employees are required to complete online mandatory training to comply with related safety legislation.
• All Brock employees are required to comply with Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). To help meet our legal obligations under FIPPA, employees are required to complete mandatory online training.

We are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where possible as outlined in our Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. As a student‑centered organization, all employees are required to work on campus as needed.

Brock University is committed to creating a respectful and equitable workplace. We strive to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in our work and learning environments. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and actively encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous Peoples, people who identify as Black, African and/or Caribbean, as racialized and/or as from ethnic and cultural minority groups, and other underrepresented demographic groups at Brock and in the Niagara region. Brock also recognizes intersectionality and the interconnected identities, histories, and experiences of these aforementioned groups .

We are committed to inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment, and we accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process, as outlined in our Employment Accommodation Policy and consistent with the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Please contact [e-mail] if you require a disability related accommodation so we can ensure your participation needs are met.

Brock University does not use AI Technology at any stage of the recruitment process.

We appreciate all applications received . C andidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca.