Position: Outdoor Education Teacher – Contract until April 2025, with possible extension

Department: Outdoor Education

Reports To: Principal, Senior School / Head of Outdoor Education

Starting Date: ASAP

Application Closing Date: December 16, 2024 – may be contacted for interview either side of winter break

Annual Salary: $72,969 to $118,916 (pro-rated for contract duration)

St. George’s School is seeking a passionate and engaging educator for an exciting short-term position covering for a leave of absence, coordinating outdoor and environmental programming which supports the school’s outdoor education department, for students Kindergarten through to Grade 10 and a cohort-based grade 10 outdoor education class. The primary responsibility of this role is to lead and support outdoor programs with groups of students of a variety of ages, teachers and part-time instructors in wilderness and residential camp settings. This position collaborates with the Outdoor Education department and integrates outdoor education within the school community. 

It involves many days working in the field in frontcountry, backcountry and residential settings. The successful candidate will be compensated by being placed on the teacher’s salary grid, according to their teaching experience. A teaching professional that can incorporate real world connections and problem solving into their teaching and learning practices is a critical component for success. 

In order to provide the best possible learning environment for our highly diverse, multicultural student population, St. George’s actively seeks to recruit staff from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in independent and international schools. BIPoC and 2SLGBTQIA+ people and those with disabilities are warmly encouraged to apply, and invited to reach out for more information about our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Responsibilities will include:

• Working with Outdoor Education department staff and cohort teachers to deliver the Discovery 10 integrated OE program.
• Working with the Head of Department and other staff to develop and deliver outdoor education programs in accordance with the school’s outdoor curriculum.
• Development of curriculum for outdoor experiences that effectively incorporates the new provincial learning outcomes and indigenous perspectives at a variety of grade levels.
• Leading residential camp programs that focus on community building and skill development.
• Supervising, with a co-instructor, groups of students for wilderness camping experiences of 1 – 20 days in length.
• Understanding and practicing standards and protocols for all programs to ensure that best-practices and risk management concerns are adequately addressed.
• Reporting on the progress and achievement of participants at the end of program/term.
• Assisting with the management, repair and ongoing replacement of an extensive collection of outdoor equipment.
• Attending and participating in staff training and professional development activities.
• Proactively creates and contributes to a school culture that is optimistic, solution-focused, and dynamic.

Qualifications will include: 
The following are requirements for this position:

• BC teaching certificate (or ability to obtain one).
• Demonstrated interest in outdoor education programs and experience working with youth aged 6 – 17 in both residential and wilderness camp settings (hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and snowshoeing).
• Exceptional organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate in verbal and written forms.
• 80+ hour wilderness first aid course.

Preference will be given to candidates who also have the following skills and qualifications:

• Class 4 license or equivalent (or ability to obtain one).
• Industry qualifications in outdoor skill areas applicable to the trips being offered: canoeing, kayaking, avalanche safety, hiking, skiing.
• Experienced in bringing a diversity of voices and worldviews to classroom material and learning experiences, including Indigenous, local, and global perspectives.
• Key competencies and EQ in self-awareness, self-management, empathy, social expertness, initiative and accountability.
• A high level of computer literacy.
• Experience in digital photography, publishing or video production.

Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to: [email protected]