Hourly Rate: $19.51 – Check out the YMCA’s total compensation package (https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/why-Work-at-the-y#benefits)!
Location: Cedar Glen YMCA Outdoor Centre
Work Hours: On call as needed
Employment Type: Seasonal Contract - 3 months with potential for extension (Existing Vacancy)
Anticipated Start Date: July 6, 2026
Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2026 at 5:00pm
Be the Spark! Join our dynamic team at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre, where every day is different, and you will always be engaged with meaningful work!
YMCA Camping and Outdoor Education offers outdoor experiences that foster personal growth and build community. After taking part in our programs, children and youth return home more confident, independent, and with new friendships.
YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre is located on 236 acres, about 45 minutes north of downtown Toronto. Our Outdoor Centre is open year-round, welcoming 400+ groups and 25,000+ guests on an annual basis. Our team of professional staff works together to provide the best possible experience for groups visiting Cedar Glen – we recognize that all individuals have different levels of experience and comfort in the outdoors, and we strive to deliver the best program possible for each one of our guests. We encourage you to learn more about our center by visiting our webpage: https://cedarglen.ymcagta.org/ (https://cedarglen.ymcagta.org/)
The Senior Outdoor Educator is an experienced Outdoor Educator that works directly with our full-time team and provides direct program delivery in all outdoor education programs for groups of all ages. Programs vary depending on the group’s goals, but range from teambuilding activities, archery, low ropes, high ropes, initiatives, fire building, shelter building and much more. Our Senior Outdoor Educators work with group contacts to assist with planning their visit in advance of their arrival and when onsite, ensuring they are providing a high level of customer service and that all group needs are met. In addition, the Senior Outdoor Educator assists the Director, Outdoor Education and Operations and Outdoor Centre Coordinator with mentoring the team of Outdoor Educators, the development of new programs, as well as the revision and amendment of existing programs.
In this role, you will:
- Provide direct program delivery to participants of all ages, including elementary and secondary school groups, colleges and universities, retreats, youth groups, sports teams, conferences and other youth and adult groups. Outdoor programs include activities such as low and high ropes courses, archery, orienteering, fire building, shelter building, initiatives and more. We are also proud to offer Specialist High Skill Major certifications
- Act as the main facilitator for individuals and groups, ensuring group goals are met and overall satisfaction with facilities, programs and staff
- Supervise and mentor Outdoor Educators, and help the Outdoor Centre management team with the writing and delivery of seasonal staff performance appraisals
- Assist with research and development of new outdoor education/leadership programs, support with the inventory, organization and maintenance of all program equipment
- Assist with planning and delivery of seasonal Outdoor Education staff training
- Monitor the safety of all activities and programs throughout the duty period and respond immediately to rectify any safety concerns, fill out YMCA Accident/Incident forms and follow up forms as required and submit within 24 hours
- Maintain an Account Holder relationship with a set portfolio of groups, managing all communication from initial booking to post visit follow up
- Ensure Health & Safety procedures are maintained, and share with the staff team the duties of ensuring camp is clean, organized and safe to ensure the Health & Safety of all camp participants
- Act as the worker representative on Cedar Glen’s Joint Health & Safety Committee
- Continuously build relationships with participants, members, staff, volunteers and community partners, representing the YMCA, Association, and Cedar Glen in a professional manner
- Perform other duties as assigned
You bring:
- Minimum 2 years prior experience working at an outdoor centre in program facilitator role
- Current Standard First Aid and CPR-C required for the duration of the contract
- Working towards and/or completion of post-secondary courses in Outdoor Recreation or a related field is an asset
- National Lifeguard Service (NLS) certification is an asset
- Challenge Course/High Ropes training and experience – ACCT Level 2 is an asset
- Flexibility regarding assigned working hours, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends and holidays required
- Ability to lead a group and engage with people of all ages
- Ability to communicate ideas, rules and concepts effectively and in an engaging, entertaining, and supportive manner
- Ability to work independently and within a team to achieve a common goal
- Demonstrated experience and passion for outdoor recreation
- Excellent communication skills
- Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to cultivate a warm, inclusive, and safe environment for guests and colleagues
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging
What you need to succeed:
- Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values (https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/work-at-the-y#culture)
- Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
- YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter
Why work for the YMCA?
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here (https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/why-Work-at-the-y).
Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together (https://www.ymcagta.org/strategic-plan), which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.
In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here (https://ymcagta.org/Join-Our-Team/police-records-check).
If you are hired, prior to your start date and as a condition of your employment, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a valid medical or other Human Rights Code-related exemption.
The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.
Check out the next steps in our recruitment process (https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/why-Work-at-the-y#interview) and see what others are saying (https://ymcagta.org/join-our-team/work-at-the-y#diversity) about working at the YMCA.
