Organization Overview
The Mel Jr. & Marty Zajac Foundation is a not-for-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC, dedicated to supporting children, seniors, and individuals with special needs through innovative community projects that foster lifelong skills, independence, and connection.
Our current major focus is Zajac Ranch, a fully accessible camp located on over 40 acres of pristine forested land on the shores of Stave Lake in Mission, BC, approximately one hour east of Vancouver. During the summer, Zajac Ranch provides camp experiences for children and young adults with chronic, life-threatening, and/or debilitating conditions. During the off-season, the Ranch welcomes school groups, community groups, retreats, weddings, and private rentals. Revenue generated from site rentals helps support Zajac Ranch's medical summer camp programs.
Location: Zajac Ranch, Mission, BC Reports To: General Manager or designate in the Camp Leadership Team Schedule: Based on operational needs and provided in advance
Position Summary
The High Ropes Outdoor Education Facilitator delivers safe, engaging, and participant-focused high ropes, low ropes, climbing, and challenge-course programming. This role works directly with children, youth, school groups, adult retreat groups, and other Ranch guests while providing positive customer service and supporting participants through challenge-by-choice experiences.
While this position is primarily assigned to high ropes and challenge-course programming, the facilitator remains part of the broader Outdoor Education team and may support other program areas, kitchen duties, cleaning, facility maintenance, and general site operations as required. All programming must be delivered in accordance with Zajac Ranch policies, risk-management requirements, operating procedures, and the scope of the employee's training, certification, demonstrated competency, and authorization.
This specialized role is responsible for creating an emotionally and physically safe environment in which participants can build confidence, practise teamwork, and pursue appropriate personal challenges at height.
Key Responsibilities
- Apply the skills and knowledge learned in training to facilitate safe, engaging, and effective programming
- Deliver experiential, participant-focused activities within the scope of assigned training and certifications
- Interact directly with children and encourage positive, inclusive interaction among participants
- Provide welcoming and professional customer service to schools, private rentals, retreats, weddings, and other guests
- Explain and consistently reinforce program expectations, camp rules, and safe participation requirements
- Ensure participants and staff respect one another, the facility, equipment, and the natural environment
- Inspect program areas and equipment as required and promptly report hazards, damage, incidents, or maintenance concerns
- Assist with kitchen duties, general maintenance, cleaning, site preparation, and operational support as required
- Work collaboratively with Ranch leadership and colleagues to respond to changing group and site needs
- Complete other related duties as assigned
High Ropes Specific Responsibilities
- Complete and document required pre-use inspections of harnesses, helmets, belay systems, ropes, hardware, course elements, access points, and designated activity areas; immediately remove or report equipment and elements that do not meet operating requirements
- Deliver clear safety briefings, equipment fitting, participant instruction, belay procedures, ground-school orientation, and challenge-by-choice guidance before and throughout each program
- Facilitate high ropes, low ropes, climbing-wall, vertical-playground, Skynet, and related challenge-course activities only when trained, assessed as competent, and specifically authorized for the applicable element
- Maintain active supervision and effective group management on the ground and at height; monitor physical and emotional safety; follow applicable operating and rescue procedures; lead meaningful debriefs; and accurately complete required equipment, inspection, and program records
Qualifications & Experience
- Current recognized high ropes or challenge-course training or certification is required; candidates must also successfully complete Zajac Ranch's site-specific orientation, competency assessment, and authorization process
- Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Level 1 or Level 2 certification is preferred
- Current Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification
- A satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening issued no more than six months before the start date
- Two satisfactory professional reference checks
- Experience working with children, youth, school groups, or diverse participant groups is preferred
- Previous experience facilitating high ropes, low ropes, climbing, belaying, challenge-by-choice, or related challenge-course programming is strongly preferred
- Experience working with children, youth, school groups, individuals with disabilities, or adult retreat groups, and education or training in outdoor leadership, recreation, education, or a related field, are considered assets
Skills & Competencies
- Confident group facilitation and participant-engagement skills
- Strong communication, empathy, situational awareness, judgment, and practical problem-solving skills
- Clear, respectful, and age-appropriate communication
- Strong customer-service skills and a welcoming, professional approach
- Sound judgment, situational awareness, and commitment to risk management
- Ability to follow detailed procedures, activity plans, safety requirements, and directions
- Dependability, adaptability, and willingness to support varied operational needs
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of the broader Ranch team
Health & Safety
- Follow all WorkSafeBC requirements, Zajac Ranch policies, program procedures, and risk-management protocols
- Facilitate only those activities for which training and authorization have been provided
- Use program equipment and facilities safely, responsibly, and as instructed
- Report hazards, unsafe conditions, incidents, injuries, and equipment concerns promptly and through the required process
- Contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for participants, staff, visitors, and rental groups
Physical Requirements
- Comfort and confidence working at height and around challenge-course structures, while maintaining continuous attention to participants, equipment, changing conditions, and established safety procedures
- Ability to remain active for extended periods; stand, walk, bend, lift, and move over varied outdoor terrain; work indoors and outdoors in seasonal weather; and safely handle program supplies and equipment appropriate to assigned duties
Work Environment
- Work takes place onsite at Zajac Ranch in Mission, BC
- Hours and days of work vary according to school-group, rental, event, and seasonal operational needs
- Schedules are provided in advance whenever possible and may include weekdays, evenings, and weekends
- The role includes direct participant programming as well as kitchen, cleaning, maintenance, and general site-support duties
- Reliable transportation is required because the Ranch is located in a rural area
Why Join Zajac Ranch?
Working as a High Ropes Outdoor Education Facilitator at Zajac Ranch means helping participants build confidence, trust, resilience, and teamwork through carefully facilitated challenge-course experiences. This role combines technical responsibility, supportive leadership, and meaningful participant connection in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Commitment to the Zajac Ranch Mission
All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to the mission of Zajac Ranch: providing life-changing camp experiences for children and young adults with complex medical conditions and disabilities.
