Outdoor Educator in Petawawa

Join the Out and About Forest and Nature School Team

(Spring, Summer and into Fall)

Part-Time, Full-Time & Casual Positions Available

Are you looking for meaningful work that combines your love for nature, adventure, and working with children? Out and About Forest and Nature School is hiring passionate, enthusiastic individuals for part-time, full-time, or casual

Why Work With Us?

• Flexible schedules that support work-life balance
• Daily time spent in beautiful natural spaces, boosting your well-being and sense of purpose
• Hands-on training and mentorship provided on-site
• A chance to build your bushcraft, outdoor leadership, and observation skills
• Join a team that values curiosity, play, and connection with the land

Whether you're an educator, student, caregiver, guide, or outdoor enthusiast, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Out & About actively seeks to build a diverse team and encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, LGBTQ2SIA+, and other equity-seeking individuals.

Why Should You Apply? Joining Out and About means becoming part of a community that values meaningful work, holistic education, and outdoor exploration. Here are just a few reasons to consider applying:

• Flexible Work Schedule: We value work-life balance and provide a schedule that allows for personal time alongside fulfilling work.
• Positive Outdoor Environment: Working in our outdoor classrooms has proven benefits for mental and physical well-being.
• Professional Growth: Out & About offers a unique opportunity to align your professional path with your passion for nature-based, child-centered programming.
• Supportive and Inclusive Culture: We are committed to equity, social justice, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our programming and hiring practices. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

What You'll Do:

• Guide and support children in a child-led, play-based forest program
• Co-assess and manage risk in outdoor play while promoting safe exploration
• Help children develop outdoor skills like shelter building, knot tying, animal tracking, and leave-no-trace ethics
• Communicate with care and compassion: building respectful relationships with children, parents, and peers
• Spend full days outside in all weather
• Model a strong connection to the land and support environmental stewardship

What You Bring:

• A love for the outdoors and working with children
• Experience in childcare, education, or outdoor programs (We provide training)
• Current First Aid & CPR certification (We host a renewal or recertification in the Summer)
• A clear Vulnerable Sector Check
• Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle

Whether you're looking to explore a career in education, grow your outdoor skills, or simply spend a meaningful summer in nature, Out and About offers the perfect opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun.

Apply now and get ready to make a difference, one muddy, magical, unforgettable day at a time.

Duties of Educators:

• Working with a passionate and transparent team.
• Engaging in a child-led forest school program, with a view of the child as competent, capable, curious, and conscious.
• Demonstrating and modeling risk-assessment skills while ensuring the safety of the children as they engage in risky play in the forest.
• Prepare to spend the full day outdoors YAY
• Modeling respectful and compassionate communication with an emphasis on rights-based education.
• Prepare and clean site to Directors expectations. This includes organizing materials, cleaning tools and property, ensuring Leave No Trace is applied daily,
• Healthy and collaborative communication with parents and co-workers.
• The enthusiasm of working outside regardless of the weather (rain, sleet, snow, heat) includes the ability to walk distances over uneven terrain, carry a backpack and various supplies.
• Advocate for and support the benefits of risk-taking, movement, and physical development in the early years.
• Model and teach outdoor skills including risk management, knots, shelter building, self-care/appropriate clothing, leave-no-trace practices, interacting with local wildlife, etc.

Summary

Out and About plays and learns on the Unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People. Guided by their teachings and those of other First Nations, we offer holistic outdoor education rooted in respect and connection to the land.

We believe children are capable, curious learners. Through child-led play and exploration, we foster a love for learning, self-discovery, and a deep bond with nature. Our passionate educators support children as they explore forests, riversides, and wild spaces, choosing connection and adventure over screens and distractions.

Our Core Principles:

• Building empathy and understanding.
• Establishing relationships with the land, oneself, friends, family, and community.
• Fostering self-regulation and emotional growth.
• Enhancing problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Developing confidence and resilience through play and exploration.

Out and About was created to encourage children and families to trust in their capabilities and explore the importance of play-based learning.

Locations:

• Petawawa - Jack Pine Park
• Foresters Falls - Whitewater Cottage and RV Resort @ 503 Rafting Road.

Who Should Apply? Out and About welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, as we believe this enriches our learning environment. We strongly encourage individuals from marginalized groups, including those identifying as Indigenous, Black, LGBTQ2SIA+, and other equity-seeking communities, to apply. We are looking for dedicated educators to join us for the Spring (March - June) and/or Summer (June-August).

Further Requirements:

• Current First Aid Certificate.
• Current Criminal Record Check.
• Experience working with children.
• Preferably, experience in outdoor education with a focus on play-based, student-led learning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with children, co-educators, and parents.
• Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle (preferred).

What We're Looking For: We seek educators who share our passion for outdoor learning and our belief in the capabilities of children. Ideal candidates are:

• Eager to inspire children to explore, inquire, and thrive in natural environments.
• Committed to continuous learning and growth in outdoor and play-based education.
• Enthusiastic about working in a supportive and inclusive team environment.

Start your journey with Out and About this coming Spring and Summer, and help us inspire the next generation to connect deeply with the natural world.

*Interested in our other locations? Arnprior and Beachburg?

send me (Arija) an email

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Seasonal

Contract length: 2 months

Pay: $18.50-$22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Flexible schedule
• On-site childcare
• On-site parking
• Wellness program

Work Location: In person