Now Hiring: Activity Leaders for the School Outreach Program, Winter 2026

Nelson Nordic Ski Club; Nelson; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A local winter sports organization is seeking Activity Leaders for their School Outreach Program. Responsibilities include providing cross-country ski activities to students, collaborating with other leaders for session planning, and managing groups in dynamic environments. Ideal candidates will have experience with youth and basic skiing abilities. The role offers flexible hours and seasonal contracts. Pay ranges from $20 to $23 per hour.

Benefits

Free Nelson Nordic Ski Season Pass

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working with kids and youth in outdoor educational settings.
• Adaptability to varying group sizes and skill levels.
• Willingness to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality cross-country ski and snowshoe activities.
• Plan sessions that are age and ability appropriate.
• Supervise ski groups on the trails.

Skills

Experience working with kids

Strong communication skills

Teamwork-oriented mindset

Passion for fun and games

Basic cross-country ski ability

Education

Basic First Aid certification

Cross-country ski coaching certifications (NCCP, CANSI)

Job description

Are you passionate about winter recreation and working with youths? Apply to join the Activity Leader team at the Nelson Nordic Ski Club!

Job Overview

The School Outreach Program has been running for over ten years with the mandate to provide school kids in the region with the opportunity to participate in winter sports, in an environment that pairs learning with fun. With a focus on cross country skiing and snowshoeing, the program aims to build enthusiasm for winter sports through skill development, games and fun. The program caters to varying skill levels – we work with kids who have never worn skis or snowshoes before, as well as kids who are highly capable at winter sports.

Participants in the School Outreach Program reflect a wide variety of age groups, from kindergarten to high school. The Ski and Snowshoe Sessions take place from January through mid-March and are led by a team of Activity Leaders. Leader training begins in December for new hires.

Job Requirements

Reporting to the School Outreach Program Coordinator, the Activity Leader is responsible for providing quality cross-country ski and snowshoe activities to students. Their tasks include coaching students, running games and supervising ski groups on the trails.

Activity Leaders work together to plan sessions that are age and ability appropriate and that pair skill building with fun, and as such must be willing to work collaboratively as part of a team. Activity Leaders may also be called to work independently, and should be adaptable to varying group sizes, skill levels and leadership scenarios.

Candidates should demonstrate experience working with kids and youth in outdoor, educational or recreational settings. Basic cross-country ski ability is required. NCCP or CANSI certifications are assets. Preference will be given to candidates who hold a valid First Aid certification such as Standard First Aid, OFA 1 or other equivalencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage groups of up to 30 students of varying ages in all winter conditions, with auxiliary support from teachers and volunteers
• Work closely with other Activity Leaders in order to plan and deliver cohesive ski & snowshoe sessions
• Introduce school groups (including teachers and parent volunteers) to the ski centers’ facilities and the program’s area of operation
• Work closely with teachers to identify and deliver group-specific needs and requests
• Outfit kids with appropriate equipment for their size and skill level
• Facilitate games, drills and activities that help build foundational ski & snowshoe skills, while also creating a fun learning environment
• Take groups out on the trails and ensure adherence to proper trail etiquette and safety
• Set up and take down equipment used to run games and drills
• Stow away equipment, record and report any inventory changes (broken equipment, lost equipment, etc.)
• Attend to any incident and First Aid needs that arise during program and seek appropriate help

The ideal candidate has…

• Experience working with kids and youth
• Experience facilitating outdoor and educational programming
• Experience managing groups in dynamic environments with minimal supervision
• Experience cross-country skiing
• Passion and creativity for fun, games and skill building
• Strong communication skills and teamwork-oriented mindset
• Experience teaching or coaching classic technique an asset
• Cross-country ski coaching certifications (NCCP, CANSI) an asset
• Basic First Aid certification required (OFA 1 or equivalent) ; advanced certifications such as Wilderness First Aid and OFA 2 are an asset
• Must be able to provide a clean Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check

Work Hours and Conditions

The School Program typically runs Tuesday through Friday, with each day consisting of one Morning Session and one Afternoon Session. These two-hour sessions correspond to the window during which school groups participate in an activity (ski or snowshoeing). Facilitators typically work both sessions, arriving at 8am and wrapping up by 3pm, but may be asked to work the occasional half-day. Occasional Monday and weekend shifts should also be expected.

The flow of the day includes:

• Lesson planning with co-workers and program set-up from 8am – 9am
• Delivery of Morning Session from 9am – 11am
• Some work over lunch to tidy the warming hut, set up and organize equipment for the next program
• Delivery of Afternoon Sessions from 12pm – 2pm
• Stow away equipment and game props, conduct inventory check, and fill out post-lesson/incident reports from 2pm – 3pm

We are offering flexible, seasonal contracts for the January-March period. Scheduling can vary between 8 hours – 28 hours per week based on employee preferences and availability.

Mandatory staff training will take place on January 4th and 5th (hours to be determined but plan to be available for the full day)

New hires must attend a CCBC coaching course offered on-site at the Nelson Nordic Ski Club on December 12th, 13th and 14th

Compensation

Activity Leaders will be offered a pay of 20$-23$ per hour, based on qualifications and assigned duties. Activity leaders will also be given a free Nelson Nordic Ski Season Pass.

Application Deadline: November 3rd

Get your application in early! We will be reviewing applications, conducting interviews and sending out offers on a rolling basis.

Interested in applying to this position? Please send a brief cover letter and resume to Natasha Bucheit, School Outreach Program Coordinator, at [e-mail]

Serving nordic skiers in Nelson & area since 1983