Outdoor Education Assistant

Overview

Outdoor Education Assistant  
Part-Time 17-month Contract – Maternity Leave Coverage
Work location: Foley Mountain Conservation Area, Westport, ON

There is no direct public transportation to the worksite; candidates should ensure they have reliable transportation prior to applying.

Number of Positions: One (1)

Existing Vacancy: Yes

AI Used in Hiring: No

About the RVCA: 

RVCA is one of 36 conservation authorities in Ontario responsible for furthering the “conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in the watershed” under the Conservation Authorities Act. We are dedicated to protecting people and property from natural hazards like flooding and erosion, while conserving the wetlands, forests and natural areas that reduce their impacts.

About the Job 

You will be responsible for:
• Developing, planning and delivering outdoor education programs for children and people of all ages.
• Acting as a resource person and provide customer service to park visitors.
• Cleaning and maintaining facilities.
• Working indoors and outdoors, facilitating education programs in all kinds of weather conditions.

Who you are

As the preferred candidate you:
• Have a degree or diploma in education, environmental studies, outdoor recreation or a related program.
• Experience with the Forest School model as well as play-based learning, risky play, loose parts, inquiry-based learning and a child centered learning environment.
• Must be able to obtain a clear (negative) vulnerable sector check
• Hold a standard first aid & CPR certificate or be able to obtain it within your first three months of employment.
• Have knowledge of the natural world and some experience with teaching/leading children.

 

What we offer

• 17-month contract position. To begin at the end of June or beginning of July and continue until mid-November 2027.
• 35 hours per week while programs are running. In-between education program sessions, there will be weeks when there will be 0 hours available.
• Salary range of $31.32 to $37.38 hourly rate.
• Option to join OMERS pension.
• Free onsite parking.

Position Title: Outdoor Education Assistant
Department: Conservation Lands and Stewardship Supervisor’s Position Title:
Baxter or Foley Mountain Conservation Area Supervisor Supervisor
Classification: Band 3 Date of Issue: June 15, 2026

Job Summary

Assists with the development, planning, delivery and evaluation of outdoor and environmental education programs for children and adults of all ages. Program participants include elementary and high school groups, university students, Baxter or Foley Mountain’s Forest School students, community groups and day camps. Works both indoors and outdoors with most work done in an outdoor environment facilitating programs in all kinds of weather conditions. Also acts as a resource person in the Interpretive Centre and assists in delivering services to visitors such as answering questions about the park and programs, selling park passes and monitoring for valid park passes. Also helps maintain the cleanliness and safety features of our park facilities.

Responsibilities
1. Lead Baxter or Foley Mountain’s Forest School program by preparing, planning and delivering the program as well as training and acting as a shift leader to on-call Forest School staff.
2. Coordinate Baxter or Foley Mountain’s Day Camp programs, by preparing, planning, and delivering summer and PD Day camp programs.
3. Assist the Baxter or Foley Mountain Conservation Area Supervisor in hiring and training of new staff.
4. Assist the Baxter or Foley Mountain Conservation Area Supervisor with administration of education programs including bookings, responding to enquiries, receiving registrations and payment, preparing invoices, and sending feedback forms.
5. Assist the Baxter or Foley Mountain Conservation Area Supervisor with administration of facility rentals including bookings, responding to enquiries, receiving payment, preparing invoices, and sending feedback forms.
6. Assist in grant writing to applying for funding for various Baxter or Foley Mountain programs.
7. Assist the Baxter or Foley Mountain Conservation Area Supervisor in marketing education programs, Forest School programs, summer and PD day camp programs and facility rentals.
8. Assist with park enforcement during the spring and summer months.
9. Work in cooperation and collaboration with the Baxter or Foley Mountain Conservation Area Supervisor, on-call outdoor education staff, other RVCA staff and other adult supervisors to provide a safe and engaging learning environment.
10. Other duties as assigned.

EFFORT
• 80% of work is outdoors walking/hiking on trails and in natural areas with groups of children
• 20% of work is sitting at a desk managing bookings and responding to enquiries
• Long periods of concentration including teaching children and listening to and answering questions
• Periods of looking at a computer screen
• Periods of sitting
• Interacting with children, parents, general public on a routine basis

WORKING CONDITIONS
• 80% of work is performed outside and may include periods of inclement weather
• 20% of work is performed indoors in a school and office environment
• May be exposed to inclement weather
• May be exposed to frustrated customers
• Occasional evenings and weekend work

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
• A post-secondary diploma or degree in education, early childhood education, environmental studies, natural science, outdoor recreation or a related program.
• Experience with the Forest School model as well as play-based learning, risky play, loose parts, inquiry-based learning, and a child centered learning environment.
• Previous experience planning and delivering programming for children in an educational or recreational setting in English and/or French.
• A valid Ontario G class driver’s license (or equivalent) and driving record deemed acceptable by the RVCA.
• The successful candidate will be required to provide a clear “Vulnerable Sector Check”.
• Standard First Aid & CPR certification
• A Teacher’s certificate and strong knowledge of the natural world are considered strong assets
• Strong knowledge of the natural world is an asset
• Bilingualism is considered a strong asset

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
To meet health and safety standards and regulations, the incumbent must be trained and/or evaluated in the following areas:

• Vulnerable Sector Check
• First day orientation
• RVCA driver’s test
• WHMIS Certification
• First aid and CPR, emergency level

 

If you are enthusiastic about conservation and think you would be a good fit for this position, please send your resume and cover letter by email no later than 4:00pm, Friday, June 26, 2026 to: hr@rvca.ca
Please write your name and the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email.

Visit us on the web at www.rvca.ca
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive experience for RVCA job applicants and employees. If you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at hr@rvca.ca and we will work with you to meet your request. The RVCA welcomes all applications; however, we will contact only those candidates selected for consideration.