Senior Leadership Trainer White Water at YMCA of… · Muskoka…

Pay within range based on years of transferrable experience Daily Rate: $120.19 - $135.25 Weekly Rate: $721.14 - $811.50 Wilderness Daily Rate: $176.15
Location: YMCA Camp Pine Crest, Torrance, Ontario (Transportation to camp is available at the beginning and end of the summer)
Employment Type: Seasonal Contract (Existing Vacancy)
Anticipated Start Date: June 7, 2026

Be the Spark! Join our dynamic team a YMCA Camp Pine Crest, where every day is different, and you will always be engaged with meaningful work!

YMCA Camping and Outdoor Education offers outdoor experiences that foster personal growth and build community. After taking part in our programs, children and youth return home more confident, independent, and with new friendships. YMCA Camp Pine Crest is an overnight camp serving children, families, and organizations through naturally focused programs that embody the mission, vision, and outcomes of the YMCA. Camp Pine Crest is made up of 650 acres of Muskoka wilderness surrounded by 3 interconnected lakes with 8km of shoreline; has over 26km of hiking trails and 7,500 sq. ft. of dock and has 60 buildings.

Senior Leadership Trainers work in pairs to facilitate and deliver high-quality, intentional Senior Leadership Programs at YMCA Camp Pine Crest. Through their guidance, participants gain exposure to leadership theory, group development, technical and interpersonal skill development, and opportunities to build resilience and confidence. A central component of the Senior Leadership White Water program is an out-trip, where Trainers lead participants on extended white-water canoe expeditions. With support from the Outdoor Pursuits team, Trainers are responsible for planning and executing these trips, including menu planning, food preparation, gear selection and organization, and risk management. Trainers deliver programming during wilderness trips in a way that promotes participant awareness, skill development, and confidence.

Trainers are expected to demonstrate a high level of accountability and serve as positive, active, and inclusive role models within the staff team. They assist with facilitating short canoe trips during training for younger staff and deliver leadership development sessions effectively. Senior Leadership Trainers must also hold the necessary certifications and experience to manage risk, ensure participant safety, and exercise sound judgment on all trips. Training opportunities are designed specifically for Senior Leadership participants (age 16), with program lengths varying throughout the season.

This summer our Senior Leadership White Water trips are:

• The Moisie River (Mishta-shipu) The group will spend approximately a week at camp preparing and practicing white-water paddling skills. They will then travel to De Mille Lake, just beyond Labrador City, and paddle for roughly 27 days through a series of canyons and gorges, finishing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Moisie River is the longest, largest, and most powerful of all the rivers on Quebec’s North Shore.

• The Winisk River The group will spend about a week at camp preparing and practicing white-water paddling skills. They will then travel by train and bus to the Pipestone River, a tributary of the Winisk River, and paddle for roughly 30 days. The journey includes navigating vast lakes and rushing whitewater flowing off the Canadian Shield toward Hudson Bay, followed by a flight from Peawanuck to Timmins and a drive back to camp.

• The Missinaibi River (Masinâpôy Sîpiy) The group will spend a week at camp completing programming and trip preparation before traveling to the Missinaibi River, one of the longest free-flowing and undeveloped rivers in Ontario. Participants will spend approximately two weeks paddling and then return to camp for an additional week engaging with the camp community.

In this role, you will:

• Plan and execute activities, learning sessions, and debriefs to help participants develop self-awareness and hard skills, coaching each Senior Leadership Participant within their group to understand how personal actions affect the well-being of the whole group and how to act to improve themselves and the situation
• Plan, prepare, and facilitate extended canoe trips that prioritize risk management, skill development, and growth for participants
• Ensure a high level of programming for participants while on-site and on trip, including implementing participant placements in various roles around camp
• Continuously build relationships with members, staff, volunteers, and community partners
• Supervise program participants while on-site and on trip
• Ensure equipment and safety needs of the group are met through maintenance, inventory, and repair of assigned equipment, and by following all safety protocols before and during trips
• Attend the Leadership Information Day in late May to meet the families of participants
• Perform other duties as assigned

You bring:

• Valid Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certification OR Intermediate First Aid and CPR level C certification issued by a WSIB approved provider, NLS, Wilderness First Responder, Food Handler’s Certificate, ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 by the start of contract, and valid until at least the last day of the contract
• Lifesaving Instructor considered an asset (able to instruct Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, CPR-C)
• Minimum 3 years working with youth in leadership development
• Experience leading extensive white water canoe trips
• Demonstrated risk management skills in remote settings
• Ability to develop and facilitate high-quality leadership development programming
• Ability to use frequent light to medium physical effort, including lifting up to 20 kg (44 lbs.), bending and stooping, pushing, carrying, and pulling
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and adapt to change
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work in a team environment and independently to achieve optimal collective results
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to establish rapport and communicate effectively with members, staff, and volunteers
• Ability to provide mentorship and guidance to both inexperienced and seasoned staff
• Ability to deliver feedback in a timely and constructive manner to participants
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays required
• Minimum of 20 years old by the start of contract
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging

If you are interested in this position and do not possess the necessary certifications and require assistance in attaining them, please indicate in your cover letter. Certain certifications may be eligible for Financial Assistance through the YMCA of Greater Toronto, or through referral to additional programs outside the YMCA that offer similar support. Eligibility is to be determined on an individual basis.

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 170 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services, such as health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2025–2030 strategic plan, Greater Together, which outlines how we are focused on building communities where people feel healthier and more connected to their neighbours.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here.=

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.