Job Description

Are you an educator looking to help youth enjoy nature? Are you hoping to gain experience in conservation and stewardship? Are you a positive and energetic facilitator of youth programming? We’re looking for a diverse and knowledgeable group of people to bring their own expertise to the table and join us.

CTS Youth Society is accepting applications for Camp Counsellor and encourages young people aged 19-30 to apply.

About CTS Youth Society

Our mission is to connect every youth in Metro Vancouver with the natural environment and to the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks system and surrounding communities, in a hands-on way, to provide life changing experiences. Our motto of “For Youth, By Youth” is built into all facets of our organization. Learn more by checking out our video made by the 2021 Summer Team here: What is CTS Youth Society?

CTS delivers on our mission by providing accessible camps for free to youth ages 12-18. We also promote youth leadership with our Peer Leader program, allowing youth ages 15-18 to take a central role in the operation and planning of our summer weekend camps. The program’s goal is to:

1. Create region-wide opportunities for youth to challenge themselves in leadership, social responsibility, personal development, and youth ownership;

2. Provide an opportunity for youth to connect through eco-education, volunteerism, and community building;

3. Help support and encourage youth to connect with parks, the outdoors, and community activities.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Camp Counsellor to oversee our Weekday Excursion Camp operations for the summer camp delivery season from June – August. Working in pairs within a whole team of 9, Camp Counsellors provide guidance, support, and mentorship to participants and Peer Leaders aged 12-18. Focused on developing and educating youth with leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, Camp Counsellors act as both supervisors and mentors for our program participants. The position is primarily 8 hours a day during weekdays, but may require flexible work hours possibly including weekend or evenings while the program is operating. Fulfillment of different work or on-call shifts during a camp may be required to ensure supervision of participants and staff ratios. The position will be required to work the entire contract period.

Camp Counsellor will be directly supervised by the Program Manager and Camp Supervisor, Daycamps. All team members will work closely with each other to deliver outdoor programming with a focus on program facilitation and community building.

Key Responsibilities Include:

· Supervise, mentor, and work in collaboration with other Camp Counsellors and Peer Leaders;

· Supervise up to 20 youth aged 12 – 18 (including Peer Leaders) and maintain reasonable levels of safety and risk management;

· Facilitate youth engagement with environmental stewardship, volunteerism, community building, and eco-education;

· Assist Peer Leaders in the facilitation of all programming;

· Program planning and coordination including communicating with parents, park partners, Camp Supervisor, Daycamps, and the Program Manager;

· Assist with the development and delivery of marketing materials for CTS programs, including attending community events and setting up booths in public spaces;

· Provide summary reports of camps and regular evaluation of Peer Leaders;

· Assist with administrative tasks such as registration, reporting, and curriculum development;

· Meet cleanliness standards of camp with consideration for site maintenance;

· Maintain inventory, cleaning, and organization of necessary equipment;

· Adapt program to meet needs of participants;

· Ensure programming meets CTS standards of quality and be a strong representative of CTS in the community;

· Provide assistance and support to other Camp Supervisors to ensure program planning, staff ratios, and supervision requirements are met.

At CTS Youth Society, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. Appreciating differences in culture, gender, orientation, religion, beliefs, and abilities, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

Funding Requirements: The position is dependent on funding from the Canada Summer Jobs program. See online for program eligibility and requirements.

Location: CTS operates our day camps out of one of Metro Vancouver’s beautiful regional parks, Burnaby Lake. You will be required to attend training, program plan, prepare for the season, maintain equipment, and store gear at our headquarters located in Burnaby Lake Regional Park.

COVID-19 Considerations: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a mixture of remote and on-site work may be required for the position. Access to a personal computer is mandatory.

We appreciate the interest in this position of all who apply. However, only those selected to move on in the process will be contacted.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Desired qualifications/experience:

Passionate about working with youth with a keen interest in mentoring a diverse group of young people;
Interest and comfortable facilitating outdoor environmental, experiential education;
Recent and relevant experience supervising, educating, and/or working with youth and children;
Basic outdoor recreation knowledge such as Leave No Trace, 10 Essentials, outdoor safety, etc.;
19 years of age or older;
Willing to obtain a criminal record check and Vulnerable Sector Search;
Ability to work in a physical outdoor camp environment that may require lifting objects, hiking, sporting activity, running, and setting up/utilizing camping equipment;
Standard First Aid & CPR-C ;
Foodsafe Level 1 Certification;
Class 5 Driver’s License with access to a vehicle;
Preferred educational background in Education, Outdoor Recreation, Environmental Sciences, Physical Education, Child and Youth Studies;
Ability to speak multiple languages considered an asset.

Salary/Wage

17.75/hr

Other Perks/Benefits

Work Experience/training in non-profit, outdoor education, youth work, and curriculum building.

Recommended Training

FOODSAFE Level 1 by Distance Education

Job Application Process

Submit resume and cover letter.

Apply Now