Outdoor Education Specialist

CAIS; Pickering; Hybrid; CAD 66,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits Plan

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

Job summary

Pickering College invites an experienced Outdoor Education Specialist to join our JK–12 community in Pickering, Ontario. Reporting to the Director of Teaching and Learning, you will design and lead immersive outdoor programs, supervise overnight expeditions, and connect outdoor learning to classroom curriculum.

You will teach Leadership and Physical Education in Senior School, coordinate field experiences at Blue and Silver Farm, and foster student leadership, environmental stewardship, and

Qualifications

• Experience in Outdoor Education, Physical Education, or Environmental Studies.
• Experience designing and leading outdoor and experiential education programs.
• Strong outdoor safety and risk management knowledge.
• Experience leading overnight and multi-day programs.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Commitment to inclusive, student-centered learning.
• Relevant outdoor certifications (e.g., Wilderness First Aid, paddling, climbing).

Responsibilities

• Teach two Senior School courses: Leadership and Physical Education.
• Lead Senior School Outdoor Education, including classroom and field programs.
• Design and lead Grade 9–12 outdoor programs including expeditions.
• Implement a JK–Grade 12 Outdoor Education program.
• Integrate outdoor learning across Junior and Middle Schools.
• Coordinate major outdoor programs, logistics, and risk management.
• Champion student leadership and mentorship opportunities.
• Contribute to athletics coaching, parent engagement, and school events.
• Lead the annual maple syrup program.
• Supervise overnight programs and multi-day expeditions.

Skills

Outdoor Education

Leadership

Environmental Studies

Physical Education

Risk Management

Organization

Communication

Collaboration

Student Leadership

Education

Teaching qualifications

Bachelor's in Education

Tools

Wilderness First Aid

Paddling certifications

Climbing certifications

Job description

Outdoor Education Specialist

LTOPosition

November 2026 – December 2027

Pickering College is more than a place to teach - it’s a vibrant community where educators grow, collaborate, and inspire. As Canada’s only Quaker-founded independent day and boarding school for JK to Grade 12, we provide a dynamic environment that empowers teachers to bring learning to life and make a lasting difference for students and the wider world.

Guided by the Quaker values of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship, our culture is built on purpose, respect, and collaboration. These principles shape not only the student experience but also the workplace setting, creating a supportive environment where educators thrive both personally and professionally.

Pickering College is seeking an Outdoor Education Specialist reporting to the Director of Teaching and Learning, to lead innovative, experiential learning across the school, from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. This is a unique opportunity for an educator passionate about outdoor education, environmental stewardship, student leadership, and experiential learning to play a central role in the life of the school.

The Outdoor Education Specialist will:

• Teach two Senior School courses:Leadership and Physical Education
• Lead Senior School Outdoor Education, including classroom and field-based programming in outdoor recreation, leadership, physical literacy, and experiential learning.
• Design and lead Grade 9–12 outdoor programs, including overnight expeditions, canoe and camping programs, climbing, caving, and other day and multi-day experiences.
• Implement a progressive JK–Grade 12 Outdoor Education program, building skills, confidence, leadership, environmental awareness, and independence
• Integrate outdoor learning across the Junior and Middle Schools, partnering with teachers to connect hands‑on experiences to classroom learning.
• Lead experiential learning at Blue and Silver Farm, including sustainability, gardening, greenhouse, agriculture, and environmental stewardship initiatives.
• Support Blue and Silver Farm events that take place occasionally on evenings and weekends.
• Coordinate major outdoor and experiential programs, managing logistics, transportation, equipment, scheduling, communications, and comprehensive risk management.
• Champion student leadership, mentorship opportunities, and student‑led community initiatives.
• Contribute to the broader school community through competitive athletics coaching, parent engagement, and whole‑school events
• Lead the annual maple syrup program, integrating agricultural education and hands‑on learning across divisions.

A Role with Significant Field Leadership

This position includes extended field responsibility, with the successful candidate required to lead and supervise overnight programs and expeditions involving multiple consecutive days off‑site. Programs include Grade 9 and 10 residential outdoor experiences, as well as Senior School day programs at a variety of outdoor locations.

We are looking for an experienced educator and outdoor professional who brings:

• Teaching qualifications and relevant experience in Outdoor Education, Physical Education, Environmental Studies, Recreation, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading outdoor and experiential education programs.
• Strong outdoor safety and risk management knowledge.
• Experience leading overnight and multi‑day outdoor programs.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and collaborative skills.
• A passion for working with students across a wide range of ages and developmental stages.
• A commitment to inclusive, student‑centred learning and environmental stewardship.
• Relevant outdoor certifications, such as Wilderness First Aid, paddling, climbing, or other technical qualifications.

This is an opportunity to shape a distinctive Outdoor Education program across an entire JK–Grade 12 school. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to connect students with nature, develop student leadership, advance sustainability initiatives, and create meaningful learning experiences both on campus and beyond.

Pickering College provides a competitive compensation package, including a Health Benefits Plan and participation in the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. The salary ranges are based on our salary grid and ranges from $65,798 to $90,974 for early career teachers and $90,837 to $124,060 for teachers with six years or more of experience. Final placement on our grid will be determined by the teacher’s years of experience, education and additional qualifications (AQs)

Pickering College is committed to building and sustaining a pluralistic community. We actively seek students, families, faculty, and staff of varied backgrounds and encourage them to share their unique gifts to cultivate a rich educational environment. We strive to create a learning environment that exposes students to the value and breadth of differences, informs their perspective, and prepares them to shape the world.

As a condition of employment, the successful candidate(s) must provide a current Vulnerable Sector Screening Police Report. Suitable accommodations are available for applicants with accessibility needs due to disability upon request.