Day Field Trip Program and Ropes Coordinator

Department: Brock Recreation & Youth University 
Pay Rate: $18.60/hour  
Contract Dates:  

• Pre-camp training February to April  

• April 27 to September 4, 2026 

Hours:  

• 5 hours/week February to April 

• 40 hours/week April 27 to September 4, 2026 

Positions available: 1 

Job Description 

Brock’s Youth University offers on-campus overnight and day-long class trips during May and June where elementary and high school students get a glimpse into post-secondary life. They participate in experiential learning programs in science, technology, outdoor education, sports and soft skill development. During July and August, Brock’s Youth University offers on-campus day camps to over 250 youth in grades 3 to 8 each week. Our innovative camps are divided into themes and carefully created to inspire every child. Every week includes exciting discovery sessions, adventurous recreation, and traditional camp activities such as swimming and high ropes. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

The Day Program/Ropes Course Coordinators will facilitate day programs for schools and community groups, primarily grades 5 – 12 in May and June. Program themes include outdoor education, soft skill development (e.g. community building and leadership), science and technology. They are also responsible for daily challenge course equipment inspection, setup, facilitation, and take down throughout the spring and summer. This includes team building initiatives, low ropes, high ropes, and climbing wall facilities. In the summer, they will oversee the challenge course and support summer staff where necessary. They are also responsible for maintaining a safe environment, both physically and emotionally for all participants while on challenge course facilities. 

• Under the direction of a certified challenge course manager, the Day Field Trip Program and Ropes Coordinator assists with supervising climbing programs with a high regard for safety and the confidence to coach and mentor fellow instructors.  

• Communicate with day program clientele while on site; addressing needs, providing feedback and ensuring a high-quality program for visiting schools, varsity teams and community groups.  

• Role model for instructing staff the best example of desired behaviour, such as making the most of down-time with participants, finding the answers to questions, tracking all close calls and incidents, leading activities in an intriguing way, or facilitating quality program modules 

• Provide frequent, actionable, specific, and timely feedback to team members in a positive and growth-oriented way 

• Represent Brock University as an ambassador to the program and provide excellent customer service to program guests through careful planning of programs and problem-solving issues as they arise 

• Provide some training to instructing staff on content delivery, expertise related to working with youth, departmental protocols and Brock policies 

• Work toward a high-quality program by making recommendations, highlighting recurring problems, identifying and addressing weaknesses, and generally observing areas for improvement 

• Support staff members in their work with all youth, helping them to make accommodations as needed 

• Ensure staff members are prepared to facilitate the program: they know where they are going, what they are doing, and they have the resources and supplies to do it  

• Pre-use inspect climbing equipment and elements before program arrival  

• Delegate to program staff roles for setup and lead discussion on activity planning for the day 

• Greet busses and initial contact for teachers and supervisors arriving on campus 

• Observe staff members facilitating program and provide positive and constructive feedback 

• Monitor climbing, ensuring staff are following ropes course policy, using proper belay technique and communication with participants 

• Recognize scheduling and groups needs and ensure activity timing is running efficiently 

• Maintain a clean and organized equipment storage area and proper inventory of all equipment 

Qualifications 

• Completed at least one year of post-secondary study  

• The ability to work independently and manage time 

• Experience working in a challenge course setting is an asset 

• Experience and/or desire to work with children and youth in an academic camp setting  

• Excellent people skills and a friendly, responsible, service-oriented attitude  

• Effective communication and teamwork abilities  

• Interest in and willingness to learn new technical skills, and develop personal soft skills,  

• Ability to problem solve effectively and adapt to the changes typical of a camp day  

• Obtained First Aid/CPR Level C and a vulnerable sector police clearance prior to their first day of work  

• Successfully completed all Brock University and Youth University training prior to work (e.g. AODA, WHMIS, content specific, challenge course, risk management) 

Expectations of student staff 

We are looking for confident, enthusiastic, and professional ambassadors to Brock University and post-secondary life. We do not require candidates to be experts in all topics, but rather we look for candidates with a contagious passion for learning and having fun with kids. We can train you in the specifics if you have the desire to learn! You will also be required to read, research, watch videos, and/or practice, to learn content independently.  

• Candidates should be prepared to work outdoors for majority of the programs and be prepared for lots of walking, moderate lifting (e.g. moving climbing equipment, carrying supplies) and working long days in a camp setting  

• Set up and take down equipment for each climbing program in a timely manner 

• Supervise and facilitate teambuilding/leadership modules  

• All Brock employees are required to complete online mandatory training to comply with related safety legislation 

• All Brock employees are required to comply with Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). To help meet our legal obligations under FIPPA, employees are required to complete mandatory online training.

We are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where possible as outlined in our Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. As a student-centered organization, all employees are required to work on campus as needed.

Brock University is committed to creating a respectful and equitable workplace. We strive to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in our work and learning environments. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and actively encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous Peoples, people who identify as Black, African and/or Caribbean, as racialized and/or as from ethnic and cultural minority groups, and other underrepresented demographic groups at Brock and in the Niagara region. Brock also recognizes intersectionality and the interconnected identities, histories, and experiences of these aforementioned groups.

We are committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment, and we accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process, as outlined in our Employment Accommodation Policy and consistent with the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Please contact talent@brocku.ca  if you require a disability related accommodation so we can ensure your participation needs are met.

Brock University does not use AI Technology at any stage of the recruitment process.

We appreciate all applications received. Candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca.