Activity Leader – School Outreach Program 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 recreational 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 grade 12. 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 staff.

Job Requirements
Reporting to the School Outreach Program Coordinator, the Staff Lead is responsible for providing quality cross-country ski and snowshoe activities to students. As a member of the Activity Leader team, their tasks include coaching students, running games and supervising ski groups on the trails.

Candidates should demonstrate experience working with kids and youth in outdoor, educational or recreational settings. Basic cross-country ski ability is required. Strong foundations in cross country skiing and 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 & 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, ideally experience teaching or coaching classic technique

Passion and creativity for fun, games and skill building

Strong communication skills and teamwork-oriented mindset

Cross-country ski coaching certifications (NCCP, CANSI) an asset

Basic First Aid certification is preferred (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 & 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:

8:00 –…