bc wilderness course director (vancouver island)

Outward Bound Canada is committed to inclusion and strives to have broad representation that reflects the diversity of Canada.We encourage applications from candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Colour or People of the Global Majority, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and all other equity-deserving groups.

the role

Outward Bound Canada is looking for a full time Course Director for the 2023 season. The normal work week is five days, however the days of the work week may be irregular due to program dates. Days off and vacation time will be recognized in contract terms. Contract positions as Course Director are also available during July and August. From ourVancouver island location in Courtenay BC, the BC Course Director will oversee and manage Outward Bound courses, from course planning and preparation, through implementation and wrap-up,serving as the primary link between Program Management and Instructors. This is a great position for those who have spent considerable time leading expeditions and looking for a supervisory role working with both seasoned and new instructors. Our current water based expedition areas range from Clayoquot Sound, the Broughton Archipelago, Desolation Sound to the Southern Gulf islands. We also offer land based expeditions predominantly in Strathcona Park onVancouver Island.

what we offer

Location: Courtenay, British Columbia
Salary: Full Time, 6 month contract term, pay range $47,000 – 52,000/yr (prorated to duration of contract)
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package and Employee Assistance Plan
Term: Full Time Salaried Contract (6-month contract term)
Supervisor: BC Wilderness Program Manager
Application Deadline: April 5, 2023
Anticipated Start Date: May 1, 2023

Outward Bound Canada is committed to helping Canadian youth change the trajectory of their lives. With young people desiring to thrive in an unpredictable and changing world, OBC, a registered charity, offers social-emotional education through experiential adventures in the outdoors. Since 1969, OBC has inspired over 150,000 participants, with a particular emphasis on providing greater access to those facing socioeconomic barriers, to discover their potential. These experiences develop resilience, social and emotional intelligence, and environmental leadership to contribute to a better, more compassionate, and resilient society. The impact of our work on young people in Canada is found in our recent case for support.

OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPACT

● Serve as the primary link between Program Management and Instructors.
● Oversight of Health and Safety.
● Assist in the adherence to the National Safety Policies and Standards and in the development of Local Operating Procedures and New Program Plans.
● Troubleshoot with field team and staff and work withWilderness On-Call personnel for any emergency situations/evacuations.
● Manage program sites,serving as a trainer and mentor.
● Mentor in-field risk management decisions including the mitigation of infectious disease.
● Maintain professional presence and relations at sites, with outside agencies and subcontractors.
● Thorough completion of all course planning tasks and general readiness prior to student arrival.
● Oversee and manage the entire course from course planning, implementation, and wrap-up, ensuring completion of all course end paperwork.
● Step into the Instructor role as program needs dictate.
● Issue and maintain program equipment
● Coordinates the transfer of course information from key sources to instructors.
● Ensure completion of all course end paperwork.
● Reconnaissance of new course areas.

*While many of these responsibilities require careful planning, they also require ongoing adjustments as course locations,routes and schedules change in response to human and environmental considerations,such as forest fires or pandemic-related measures.The successful candidate will have to be responsive to changing conditions.

what you bring

OBC recognizes relevant skills and knowledge can be gained through volunteer and life experiences as well as professional and educational backgrounds. Please outline in a brief cover letter how you have gained the following experiences, and how you would apply them to this role:

● Experienced (2-4 years) as a field instructor with Outward Bound or similar wilderness expeditionary programs.
● Knowledgeable of and aligned with the Outward Bound philosophy and pedagogy.
● Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills.
● A keen interest in systematizing processes to become self-perpetuating.
● Excellent interpersonal skills and inclined towards cooperative working relationships.
● Competent and current in implementing risk management practices.
● Committed to the use of outdoor activities to facilitate human development goals.
● Experienced working with youth in challenging situations
● Solution-focused; able to take responsibility and work unsupervised.
● Management experience in experiential and/or wilderness programs is an asset.
● Valid driver’s license with clean record. Must be at least 25 years of age for insurance purposes and have, or be willing to obtain, Class 4 license by position start date, and provide a Driver’s abstract.
● CurrentWilderness First Responder (80 hrs).
● Must be willing to work evenings and weekends, and to share “on-call” duty with other managers.
● Must be eligible to work in Canada.
● Must have or be willing to get an up to date Vulnerable Sector Search by the position start date. Useful (though not necessarily essential) qualifications include relevant professional certification (e.g. Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC, Paddle Canada Canoeing,ACMG etc.)

Application deadline: April 5, 2023, or until the position is filled; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis 

1. Finalize your cover letter and resume in one pdf file. 
2. Fill out this webform above.
3. Attach your cover letter and resume to the web form. Note: you cannot complete the webform without this step.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please let us know if you require accommodations at any stage during the hiring process; please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodations.