About the Program

We’re building something rare: a full-time outdoor immersion program for youth ages 11–18 that blends academics, emotional intelligence, and backcountry skills.

This is not a school. It’s a relationship-first, nature-based learning village for middle schoolers and teens who don’t fit traditional models — including those who are neurodivergent, unschooled, or highly creative.

We believe learning should be hands-on, cycle-aware, and grounded in real-world relevance.

Your Role

We’re looking for one extraordinary guide and one BI — to anchor this work.

You are:

• An experienced outdoor educator or guide with a background in youth mentorship and hands-on learning
  
  

• Skilled at supporting youth with behavioural or emotional differences
  
  
  

• Comfortable leading outdoor excursions (hiking, tracking, snowshoeing, paddling)
  
  

• Familiar with group dynamics, learning arcs, and rhythm-based programming
  
  

• Unafraid of mud, awkward silences, or big emotions
  
  

What You’ll Be Doing

• Facilitating project-based learning (science, ecology, storytelling, mapping)
  
  

• Co-regulating and guiding a small group of teens and preteens (max 10 students)
  
  

• Leading 5-day/week outdoor sessions in wild/natural spaces
  
  

• Collaborating with a Behavioural Interventionist, or holding both roles if combined
  
  

Qualifications

• Strong background in outdoor education, guiding, or experiential learning
  
  

• Experience with neurodivergent youth and inclusive practice
  
  

• Wilderness First Aid (or willingness to obtain)
  
  

• Mental Health First Aid (or willingness to obtain)
  
  

• teaching or group facilitation experience in an alternative, non-traditional setting

• BI certification (if applying for the BI role)
  
  

Bonus: Background in Waldorf, SelfDesign, permaculture, rites of passage, somatic work, or youth guiding

Note: Certification is not required for the guide role. Teaching experience is valued, but formal credentials are not a requirement.

Work Hours & Schedule

• Guide: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday
  
  

• Behavioural Interventionist (BI): 9 AM – 2:00 PM, Monday to Thursday only
  
  

• Year: 36 instructional weeks (September – June)
  
  

Breaks:

• Winter Break: ~Dec 18 – Jan 7
  
  

• Spring Break: 2 weeks (aligned with public school calendar)
  
  

• Statutory Holidays + Pro-D Days off
  
  

• +1 day on any stat holiday such as May 24 weekend, Family Day weekend
  
  

• Summer Break: ~June 20 – Sept 7
  
  

Wellness Days:

In addition to statutory holidays, KOLA observes Wellness Days to promote staff and student wellbeing. These additional rest days typically extend long weekends and are included in our annual calendar when feasible.

Examples include:

• Family Day Weekend (February) – extra day off
  
  

• Victoria Day / May Long Weekend – extra day off
  
  

• Thanksgiving Weekend
  
  

• Other rest days as determined collaboratively based on seasonal flow and staff needs
  
  

Compensation & Role Structure

At KOLA, we value both educational and behavioural expertise, and our compensation reflects the unique skills each role brings to a neurodivergent-inclusive, nature-based learning environment.

Year 1 Salary Structure:

• $22,000/year – For part-time certified Behavioural Interventionists (20 hours per week)
  
  

• $36,000/year – For experienced guides with outdoor facilitation and teaching experience (full-time, 40 hours, 5 days)

All materials, outdoor gear, and support systems are fully provided. Curriculum arcs and seasonal themes will be offered, but you will be expected to adapt and tailor programming based on group needs, interests, and rhythms.

You will be responsible for:

• Weekly documentation and reflection reports for each student

• Seasonal report cards that include narrative assessments

• Co-planning and collaboration with the BI, including behavior and emotional support strategies

• Participating in ongoing communication with the founder and families to ensure learning goals are being met

• Supporting a safe, inclusive, and rhythm-based group culture

• Maintaining regular, respectful contact with families, including bi-weekly email updates or check-ins as needed

• Participating in and upholding outdoor safety protocols and emergency response plans

• Engaging in occasional team reflection, program reviews, or training sessions, especially around trauma-informed practices

Compensation Philosophy

These are founding year salaries, intentionally lean to support a sustainable launch, with room for growth as enrollment increases.

All salaries will be reviewed annually as the program evolves. Should enrollment exceed 10 students, we are committed to hiring additional educators rather than increasing the student load for a single staff member.

You’ll be helping shape the core of KOLA’s learning model, with autonomy, creativity, and time in nature as part of your daily rhythm. Salaries will be reviewed annually, with bonuses or additional enhancements introduced as the program evolves.

This is more than a job — it’s an invitation to co-create a long-term, values-rooted program alongside a committed founder and a supportive parent community.

Growth & Opportunity

As KOLA expands:

• Salaries will be reviewed annually, with raises given with improved credentials.
  
  

• Bonuses and meaningful perks will be introduced
  
  

• You’ll grow with the program — not just as an employee, but as a co-creator of something lasting
  
  

Contract Terms

This is a 1-year contract position for the 2025–26 school year (September–June), aligned with a 36-week instructional calendar.

All applicants must be willing to:

• Commit to the full school year
  
  

• Uphold KOLA’s values of safety, emotional integrity, and neurodivergent inclusion
  
  

• Adhere to KOLA’s staff agreement, including a code of conduct, confidentiality policy, and child protection standards
  
  

Contracts include a 60-day probationary period, after which continuation is subject to review.

To Apply

Please send a short letter or video introducing yourself, along with your CV or portfolio, to:
📧

Include a few lines about:

• Why this work matters to you
  
  

• What you’d bring to our learning village
  
  

Website coming soon — we’re currently hiring for our founding year and would love to hear from you!