Director of Outdoor Education

Contract

Commencing end of March 2026 until the end of December 2026 (8 Month Contract)

For more than 155 years, The Bishop Strachan School has empowered talented girls to grow into fearless women, equipped with intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and compassion to navigate the world. We inspire our students to discover their purpose, build confidence, and express themselves with a strong, independent voice.

The Director of Outdoor Education has responsibility for the strategic development of student outdoor learning experiences across the whole school, including local and overnight outdoor experiences. The Director will be involved in creating a leading edge Outdoor Education program that provides resources to connect students’ learning outcomes to enrichment opportunities and experiences. The program will expand students’ global perspectives and commitment to environmental stewardship, particularly the development of student leadership and ethical citizenship.

This role encompasses 80% Director of Outdoor Education and 20% of teaching Grade 9 Geography.

What You’ll Do:

Director Outdoor Education:

• Contributes to a culture of shared purpose by identifying student skills and competencies and creating outdoor education programming that builds outdoor skills and fosters appreciation and commitment to the natural environment.
• Oversees and manages the Duke of Edinburgh and Statten-Northway Award programs.
• Liaising with Junior School Lead Teachers on the ONC program, and collecting and analyzing data to assess program effectiveness in supporting student growth.
• Works with employees to identify and/or create enrichment opportunities for Outdoor Education in the curricular and co-curricular spheres that build ethical citizenship and student leadership.
• Manages the logistics of all outdoor education experiences including arrangements for chaperones, budgeting, transportation and accommodation.
• Champions the importance of risk management policies and procedures in every outdoor experience.
• Collaborates with Indigenous organizations to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and ways of being.
• Commits to responsible environmental stewardship by ensuring that environmental sustainability considerations are built into the logistical planning processes.
• Creates, monitors, and evaluates systems, policies and materials relating to student travel, including budget, communication, student conduct, chaperone training, parental permissions, risk management, record-keeping, and preparation of partner contracts.
• Documents current Outdoor Education programs across the school, and maintains a documentation of individual and program growth, identifying opportunities and learning for all, most, and some.
• Manages all aspects of a transparent and fair student application, selection, and preparation process including student and parent meetings.
• Leads at least three overnight, outdoor experience trips each year.

Geography Teacher:

• Prepare lesson plans, outlines and assessments using inquiry and problem-based learning that engages students, challenges them, and meets the subject-specific outcomes and expectations
• Have the ability to differentiate lesson plans based on the needs of your students
• Make contributions that productively support the overall well-being and growth of students in the Senior School
• Communicate effectively with parents about all aspects of the overall program and the individual learning of each student

Who You Are:

• A certified teacher with an Outdoor Education Specialist and experience working in the field of Outdoor Education
• Must have an Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) certificate preferably Geography and Intermediate/Senior teaching qualifications
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) qualified for supervision of high risk activities at the school
• ORCKA qualifications or extensive canoe tripping experience, Lifesaving/NLS and Climbing certifications
• Extensive experience designing and executing Risk Management policies
• Experience leading trips in remote areas
• Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation skills, both spoken and written

Why Work at BSS?

At BSS, we value and recognize the following core competencies in our employees; trust and integrity, collaboration, flexibility and adaptability, initiative, community focused and strong communication skills. Our employees are lifelong learners and apply these core competencies in all aspects of the school environment.

Additionally, BSS offers a competitive total compensation package that includes:

• Annual Salary Range: $69,190 - $134,047 (depending on qualifications and years of experience)
• BSS is a full participant in the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
• Lunch provided everyday!
• Use of on-site fitness center
• Professional Learning opportunities
• And a chance to be part of a great community!

BSS Values Diversity:

BSS is committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse and respectful environment. We believe that diversity in our school fosters a rich, inclusive and creative environment. We are actively engaged in building a more diverse school and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should visit our website and click Apply Now..

We are committed to providing an accessible experience and an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please contact the HR Admin at 416-483-4325, ext. 1920 or by email at hradmin@bss.on.ca . All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Please note, this is an existing vacancy at the school. We thank all candidates for their applications; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.