Outdoor Program Facilitator (Spring/Summer/Fall 2027)

Kinark Child & Family Services; Minden; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Payable vacation

Flexible work arrangement

Pension plan

Wellness program

Training opportunities

Supervision and feedback

Accredited clinical programs

Job summary

Kinark Child and Family Services invites applications for an Outdoor Program Facilitator at the Kinark Outdoor Centre for Spring/Summer/Fall 2027.

You will supervise and lead outdoor recreation activities for children and youth with complex needs, ensuring safety and engagement in a dynamic outdoor setting.

Qualifications

• Current Standard First Aid and CPR C are required (Wilderness First Aid will be accepted).
• Experience working with children/youth of varying ages and needs (such as camps, live-in treatment homes, school system)
• Work experience in outdoor recreation, environmental programming, and managing large groups.
• Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) considered an asset.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, time-management and communication skills.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision.
• Must have the physical ability to lead and participate in outdoor recreation activities.
• Be open to feedback and constructive criticism, showing respect and recognizing others' roles and contributions.
• Be able to work weekends and evenings.
• On-call responsibilities with compensation.
• Broad Records Check and Pre-Employment Medical may be required.

Responsibilities

• Interact with children and youth and foster interaction among them.
• Maintain a fun, positive, and safe environment for all clients visiting the Kinark Outdoor Centre.
• Facilitate outdoor recreation activities (rock climbing, high ropes, hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding) in spring/summer; winter activities include snowshoeing, skiing, tubing, broomball.
• Facilitate group development through games and initiatives.
• Adapt programs to suit participants' needs.
• Assist in facility preparation prior to group arrival.
• Maintain program equipment and follow safety guidelines.
• Monitor waterfront safety during open hours.
• Attend and complete all trainings.

Skills

First Aid & CPR

Experience with youth

Outdoor recreation

PCOC

Communication

Teamwork

Physical fitness

Adaptability

Flexible hours

On-call

Tools

PCOC

Job description

Outdoor Program Facilitator (Spring/Summer/Fall 2027) - (1604)

Kinark Child and Family Services has a rich 50-year history serving children and youth through a wide range of evidence-based mental health services that include individual, family, and group counselling. We are on a mission to help children and youth with complex needs achieve better life outcomes with a broader vision of a healthy future for Ontario’s children and youth. We have a passionate team of over 700 staff serving close to 9,000 children and youth each year in our three program streams - Community-based Child and Youth Mental Health, Autism, and Forensic Mental Health.

Our people are the heartbeat of our organization where ‘Holding children, youth, and families at the centre of all that we do’ is only one of the values that guides our work.

In support of our journey towards being an employer of choice in our sectors, our staff is engaged for feedback to identify and support improvements, big and small, to enhance the employee experience.

If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of children and youth with complex needs and want to be part of the mission we are on… Come join our team!

For more information about Kinark, our values, our strategic priorities, and our service programs, please visit ourwebsite at www.kinark.on.ca .

What we offer:

• Competitive salary, comprehensive health and dental benefits, and other employment perks *
• Flexible work arrangement supporting employee work life balance
• Employer Matching Defined Contribution Pension Plan up to 6% *
• Employee Wellness Program
• Extensive Educational and Training Opportunities and Supports
• Supportive work environment with regular Supervision and Feedback
• Renowned Accredited Clinical Programs

*Dependent on hours worked, length of service and/or collective agreement (where relevant)

We currently have an opportunity for:

Position Title

Outdoor Program Facilitator (Spring/Summer/Fall 2027)

Program Lists

Location

Reg/Temp

Temporary

Start Date

May 3, 2027

Temporary End Date

August 31, 2026

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Relief

Other Employee Classification (if applicable)

Total # of hours per week

35

$18/hr CAD- $20/hr CAD

# of Positions

8

Close Date

November 30, 2026

Job Description

Reporting to the Program Supervisors, the Outdoor Program Facilitator is responsible for interacting with children, family members and group leaders while facilitating safe and fun recreational programming. The Outdoor Program Facilitator also has the responsibility of supervising the safety of staff and clients during waterfront programs.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Interact with children and youth and foster interaction among them.
• Maintain a fun, positive, and safe environment for all clients visiting the KOC.
• Facilitate outdoor recreation activities including, but not limited to, rock climbing, high ropes, hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding in the Spring and Summer, while leading snowshoeing, cross country skiing, tubing, and broomball in the winter season.
• Facilitate group development through games, leadership activities and initiatives
• Adapt programs as necessary to suit the wants and needs of all participants.
• Assist in preparation of the facility prior to group arrival.
• Keep track of, and perform, required maintenance of program equipment.
• Understand and be confident with ALL emergency procedures at the KOC
• Know, enforce, and follow all safety guidelines associated with all KOC programs.
• Specifically monitor the safety of all participants at the waterfront area while it is open.
• Attend and complete all trainings.

Qualifications and Expectations:

• Current Standard First Aid and CPR C are required (Wilderness First Aid will be accepted).
• Experience working with children/youth of varying ages and needs (such as camps, live-in treatment homes, school system)
• Work experience in outdoor recreation, environmental programming, and managing large groups.
• Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) considered an asset.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, time-management and communication skills.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision.
• Must have the physical ability to lead and participate in outdoor recreation activities including, but not limited to, rock climbing, high ropes, hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding.
• Be open to feedback and constructive criticism, showing respect and recognizing others' roles and contributions.
• Be able to work weekends and evenings.
• Will be required to be “on call” different times throughout each month, which is shared among other staff and is compensated for.
• Broad Records Check and Pre-Employment Medical required before start date which the Kinark Outdoor Centre will reimburse for the cost of obtaining.

Benefits and Perks:

• Be an important part of an incredibly diverse, fun, talented, and inclusive staff team.
• Spending most of the time outside enjoying all the KOC has to offer with our clients.
• Access to accommodations and dining service throughout the duration of the contract at no additional cost.
• Accommodations are rustic and include shared cabins and kitchen, private staff washrooms and parking. Laundry facilities are also available on-site at no additional cost.
• Access to High-Speed Wireless Internet in several communal locations for use outside of work hours.
• In-house training specific to the program which includes Challenge Course facilitation, Program Facilitation and Autism Training.
• Salary: $18.00-$20.00 per hour + 4% vacation pay in lieu of vacation.
• Staff are scheduled to work an average of 35-40 hours per week (4-12 hours per day depending on group needs).

** Please note that Equivalent combination of education & experience will be considered.

Kinark Child and Family Services conditions of employment include but are not limited to successful Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening or Criminal Broad Record Check, based on position, and completed Pre-Employment Medical certificate. Criminal record check disclosures with confirmed findings will be reviewed in accordance with applicable policies and relevant legislation and does not necessarily preclude employment. Each case is reviewed individually and considers the relevance of the findings to assess the implications to employment

Candidates must have the skills and knowledge needed to work with an increasingly diverse client and staff population as well as a proven commitment to anti-oppression, equity, and inclusion as relevant for the role applied to.

Kinark Child and Family Services values inclusivity and diversity in the workplace, including age, ancestry, disability, gender expression, gender identity, race, religion and sexual orientation, that make each of us unique, and recognize that people experience oppression based on these characteristics and identities. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify People and Culture at [e-mail] [phone].

While we thank all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.