Director of Outdoor Education

Director of Outdoor Education

About Fraser Academy:

Fraser Academy (FA) is an independent school in Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC serving students in Gr. 1-12 with dyslexia and language-based learning differences through day and outreach programs. We serve a gap in the system where approximately 20% of the student population is under-served by mainstream education. The ripple impact of our programming also adds great social value. While our student population has skills and strengths which are in demand in the 21st century, it can also be vulnerable to mental health, substance abuse, higher drop-out rates, and other risks when not supported.

We are proud to be at the forefront of educational practices, providing a learner-centric environment with the most effective research-based methods to optimize personalized learning, cognitive, social and emotional development, and post-secondary opportunities setting our students up for a successful life. For more information please visit us at www.fraseracademy.ca.

Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Reports To: Deputy Head of School

Start Date: August 21, 2025

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Deputy Head of School as a member of the Middle Leadership Team, the Director of Outdoor Education is responsible for the academic, operational and administrative leadership for our school’s outdoor education programming from Junior to Senior School. This also includes the Grade 11 Odyssey program and the yearly cohort. With a clear passion for serving students with dyslexia, the successful candidate will not only embody Fraser Academy’s mission, vision and values, but also provide inspired leadership through integrity, consistency and openness as they implement programming and the achievement of the School’s strategic goals.

They will also demonstrate strong relationship building, outdoor education and risk management skills in order to ensure a safe, caring and supportive experience for students and faculty that is key to promoting outdoor education, academic excellence and wellbeing. Finally, the successful candidate must model excellent practice, be energetic, forward thinking, highly accountable, a hands-on worker, and able to motivate those around them. 

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction to the outdoor education programming, including planning/leading trips, recruiting faculty to support those trips, and designing the educational outcomes those trips are meant to provide.


• Collaboratively lead the grade 11 semester long Odyssey program, where a select group of students complete 5 courses in the midst of extensive outdoor education opportunities and trips.


• Teach the Life Science 11 and Human Geography components of the Odyssey program and support the instruction of the other courses within the program


• Work with the staff to foster an innovative, collaborative, student-centered learning environment


• Maintain a knowledge and understanding of current educational research, particularly pertaining to the education of students with dyslexia


• Liaise with families regarding outdoor education, its importance for our student population, risk management and safety on outdoor education trips, and supporting student well-being and resilience building


• Ensure the delivery and continuity of outdoor education throughout all grade levels taking into consideration scope and sequence, classroom practices, assessment, and cross-collaborative hands-on learning


• Collaborate with colleagues on the Middle Leadership Team


• Plan, manage and oversee the operational and logistical elements of the Outdoor Education program including, but not limited to the budget, schedule, and parent information sessions


• Promote positive relationships with faculty in a School climate that is supportive and promotes a holistic approach to high performance while maintaining wellness


• Work with members of the middle leaders team to build bridges across the School’s divisions and promote a well-connected School community 

Core Competencies:

• Committed Collaborator - works collaboratively with the team to achieve the group's goals and objectives, consistently considers the team when developing new ideas or programs, the walking the definition of a team player, engages with others to solve problems and make improvements


• Excellence - demonstrate confidence, excellent teaching practice, impeccable integrity, excellent relationship building skills with all constituents and be a team player


• Inspired Leadership - act in the best interests of the students and the school at all times, integrate consistently the school's goal and objectives into all decisions and planning, and working through programs from inception to implementation


• Loyal Ambassador - be recognized as passionate, strategic, articulate and sincere ambassadors of the school to our internal and external constituents acting as a representative of the school always


• Management - demonstrate the ability to prioritize tasks and responsibilities, meet deadlines, and multi-task in a demanding, fast-paced professional environment


• Sound Judgement - demonstrate sound judgment, the ability to problem-solve and make sound decisions


• Continuous Improvement - Model the willingness and ability to continually improve, including learning from experiences, and trying new things

 Requirements:

• A valid BC teaching certificate


• Advanced Wilderness First Aid (80h)


• Valid Class 4 Driver


• 5+ Years of classroom and teaching experience


• 3+ Years in a outdoor education


• Understanding and experience with implementing the new BC curriculum 


• Experience in Biology and Geography is preferred


• Curriculum and program development, implementation


• Experience in school leadership would be asset


• Completed OG classroom educators course within first year

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter directly through the careers page on our school website https://fraseracademy.ca/careers/

Please address the cover letter to David Horn, Deputy Head of School. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you.

FA offers an exceptional and stimulating environment, along with competitive employment packages.  The annual salary for this position falls within the range of $66,632 to $113,947. The final salary will be determined based on experience and education.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce by encouraging applications from all qualified job seekers, including those from traditionally underrepresented communities.