Outdoor Program Facilitator

Kinark Child and Family Services has a rich 50-year history serving children and youth through a wide range of evidence-based mental health services that include individual, family, and group counselling. We are on a mission to help children and youth with complex needs achieve better life outcomes with a broader vision of a healthy future for Ontario’s children and youth. We have a passionate team of over 700 staff serving close to 9,000 children and youth each year in our three program streams - Community-based Child and Youth Mental Health, Autism, and Forensic Mental Health.

Our people are the heartbeat of our organization where ‘Holding children, youth, and families at the centre of all that we do’ is only one of the values that guides our work.

In support of our journey towards being an employer of choice in our sectors, our staff is engaged for feedback to identify and support improvements, big and small, to enhance the employee experience.

If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of children and youth with complex needs and want to be part of the mission we are on… Come join our team!

For more information about Kinark, our values, our strategic priorities, and our service programs, please visit our website at

What we offer

• Competitive salary, comprehensive health and dental benefits, and other employment perks *
• Flexible work arrangement supporting employee work life balance
• Employer Matching Defined Contribution Pension Plan up to 6% *
• Employee Wellness Program
• Extensive Educational and Training Opportunities and Supports
• Supportive work environment with regular Supervision and Feedback
• Renowned Accredited Clinical Programs

*Dependent on hours worked, length of service and/or collective agreement (where relevant)

We currently have an opportunity for:

Start Date

May 5, 2026

Temporary End Date

October 30, 2026

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Relief

No

Total # of hours per week

40

# of Positions

7

Close Date

December 10, 2025

Job Description

We currently have the following opportunity at the Kinark Outdoor Centre:

Temporary, Full Time Contract

Start Date: May 5, 2026

Contracts Available: May 5, 2026 - October 30, 2026

35-40 hours per week (includes evenings and weekends)

Free on-site accommodation

About the Kinark Outdoor Centre

The Kinark Outdoor Centre (KOC) facilitates a range of outdoor activities and therapeutic recreation that are educational and experiential. Some programs are customized specifically to meet the needs of their diverse client population including children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. Throughout the operating season, the staff at the KOC facilitate both autism and community programs. This can include things like - family camps, elementary and secondary schools, complex needs program and youth and adult organizations.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Program Supervisors, the Outdoor Program Facilitator is responsible for interacting with children, family members and group leaders while facilitating safe and fun recreational programming. The Outdoor Program Facilitator also has the responsibility of supervising the safety of staff and clients during waterfront programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Interact with children and youth and foster interaction among them.
• Maintain a fun, positive, and safe environment for all clients visiting the KOC.
• Facilitate outdoor recreation activities including, but not limited to, rock climbing, high ropes, hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding in the Spring and Summer, while leading snowshoeing, cross country skiing, tubing, and broomball in the winter season.
• Facilitate group development through games, leadership activities and initiatives.
• Adapt programs as necessary to suit the wants and needs of all participants.
• Assist in preparation of the facility prior to group arrival.
• Keep track of, and perform, required maintenance of program equipment.
• Understand and be confident with ALL emergency procedures at the KOC.
• Know, enforce, and follow all safety guidelines associated with all KOC programs.
• Specifically monitor the safety of all participants at the waterfront area while it is open.
• Attend and complete all trainings.

Qualifications and Expectations

• Current National Lifeguard certification.
• Current Standard First Aid and CPR C are required (Wilderness First Aid will be accepted).
• Experience working with children/youth of varying ages and needs (such as camps, live-in treatment homes, school system)
• Work experience in outdoor recreation, environmental programming, and managing large groups.
• Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) considered an asset.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, time-management and communication skills.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision.
• Must have the physical ability to lead and participate in outdoor recreation activities including, but not limited to, rock climbing, high ropes, hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding.
• Be open to feedback and constructive criticism, showing respect and recognizing others' roles and contributions.
• Be able to work weekends and evenings.
• Will be required to be “on call” different times throughout each month, which is shared among other staff and is compensated for.
• Broad Records Check and Pre-Employment Medical required before start date which the Kinark Outdoor Centre will reimburse for the cost of obtaining.

Benefits and Perks

• Be an important part of an incredibly diverse, fun, talented, and inclusive staff team.
• Spending most of the time outside enjoying all the KOC has to offer with our clients.
• Access to accommodations and dining service throughout the duration of the contract at no additional cost.
• Accommodations are rustic and include shared cabins and kitchen, private staff washrooms and parking. Laundry facilities are also available on-site at no additional cost.
• Access to High-Speed Wireless Internet in several communal locations for use outside of work hours.
• In-house training specific to the program which includes Challenge Course facilitation, Program Facilitation and Autism Training.
• Salary: $18.00-$19.00 per hour + 4% vacation pay in lieu of vacation.
• Staff are scheduled to work an average of 35-40 hours per week (4-12 hours per day depending on group needs).

** Please note that Equivalent combination of education & experience will be considered.

Kinark Child and Family Services conditions of employment include but are not limited to successful Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening or Criminal Broad Record Check, based on position, and completed Pre-Employment Medical certificate.

Candidates must have the skills and knowledge needed to work with an increasingly diverse client and staff population as well as a proven commitment to anti-oppression, equity, and inclusion as relevant for the role applied to.

Kinark Child and Family Services values inclusivity and diversity in the workplace, including age, ancestry, disability, gender expression, gender identity, race, religion and sexual orientation, that make each of us unique, and recognize that people experience oppression based on these characteristics and identities. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify People and Culture at or .

While we thank all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.