View Job Posting and Apply Here: Overnight Camp and Outdoor Education Opportunities | YMCA BC

Position Title: Assistant Manager, Outdoor Education & Events, Program Focus

Location: YMCA Camp Elphinstone, 1760 YMCA Road, Gibsons, BC, V0N 1V6

Position Status: Permanent, Full Time

Salary: $47,000-$50,000 annually

Start Date: ASAP

Reports To: Manager, Outdoor Education & Events

Situation:

YMCA Camp Elphinstone is located near Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast, a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver. It is situated on 144 acres of temperate rainforest along the shores of Howe Sound. During July and August, Camp Elphinstone offers programs for youth ages 5-17, including one and two week overnight camps, Leadership Development programs, paddling and hiking multi-day out-trips, and day camps. From September to June, Camp Elphinstone operates as an Outdoor Education, Event and Retreat Centre for schools, conferences, weddings, and other special interest groups. Camp Elphinstone currently serves over 10,000 participants annually. 

YMCA Camp Elphinstone has accommodation and dining for up to 472 campers or guests. Camp Elphinstone employs approximately 140 staff/volunteers during July and August, with a team between 20-50 for the spring and fall Outdoor Education seasons, and a smaller core team of 10 staff during the winter season. Successful Camp Elphinstone staff are self-motivated individuals whose ambition is to help children and youth develop in an outdoor camp setting, and who believe in 5-star customer service for all client groups. 

 
Nature & Scope: 

The Assistant Manager- Program Focus provides year-round leadership at the YMCA Camp Elphinstone Outdoor Centre, focusing primarily on delivering exceptional school Outdoor Education experiences, and developing and implementing new activities, strategies and curriculum for all programming.

This role involves building and maintaining relationships with clients, mainly schools and families, while leading and coaching a strong staff team to deliver high-quality experiential education programming. 

The Assistant Manager oversees program development, schedules, and operational details, ensuring adherence to YMCA policies and safety standards through all risk management and crisis response planning. 

Additionally, the Assistant Manager trains, coaches, and supervises Outdoor Education & Event Coordinators, Facilitators, and Program Staff to deliver a 5-star experience for schools and adult groups. 

This position requires attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a high level of independent thinking. It also requires living on-site and flexibility to work varied schedules, including weekends.

Major Responsibilities:

• Onsite supervision of outdoor centre operations during operating seasons.
• Manage school bookings with online software, process payments and refunds, generate reports, and deliver excellent customer service. 
• Constantly refresh and improve programs, such as camp-wide games, canoeing, kayaking, outdoor living skills, and nature-based education modules. Make sure staff are trained and ready to facilitate high quality programs.
• Ensure all program areas have the appropriate equipment, purchase new equipment and retire/repair broken equipment when required. 
• Maintain all health and safety protocols by acting as a First Aid attendant, doing site walk throughs, report defects, maintain site safety and cleanliness, proper storage of equipment, wildlife mitigation. 
• Ensure all program areas meet applicable BCCA, Lifesaving Society, Paddle Canada, SKAGBC, standards, policies and procedures are followed and maintained in daily operations.
• Ensure all inspections, logs and training protocols for the High Ropes, Low Ropes, Climbing Tower, and Waterfront are completed. 
• Assist with recruitment, hiring, coaching and leading a team of 50 staff and volunteers committed to building a strong, inclusive, guest and participant-focused camp culture.
• Develop & deliver innovative training that supports professional development of staff & volunteers.

• Ensure the safety of all participants, staff, and property by following YMCA standards/policies/procedures and ensuring they are maintained amongst all participants and staff.

• Act as the primary contact for school groups, providing information, answering questions, issuing invoices, and collecting details throughout the booking process. 
• Collaborate with the Outdoor Education & Events Manager to ensure effective communication, thorough pre-planning, and smooth execution of all Outdoor Education programs.

Qualifications: 

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience, at least one year in a leadership/supervisory role
• Degree or Diploma in a relevant field, such as education, biology or outdoor recreation
• Standard First Aid & CPR-C 
• ACCT Level 2 (or willingness/ability to obtain)
• OFA 3 (or willingness to obtain)
• BC Class 4 Driver’s License or willingness/ability to obtain
• Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no later than six (6) months preceding start date

Competencies: 

In addition to bringing a commitment to YMCA vision and values, the candidate should possess the following competencies: 

Leading Self 

• Evolve in Professional Capability – Commit to being better 
• Achieve Excellence and Authenticity – Show up with the best version of you 

Leading Others 

• Develop the Potential in Others – Help people grow and lead 
• Create a Culture of Connection – Build bridges between people and partners 

Leading Mission 

• Think and Act Strategically – Make good decisions and act on them 
• Make an Intentional Impact – Advance the strength and cause of the Y  

Application Deadline: Ongoing