Term: Full Time, 1-year contract (October 16 2025 – October 15 2026)

Timescale: 5 days, 35 hours per week.

Location: Bow Valley (Canmore / Banff / Kananaskis / Lake Louise), Alberta, Canada (majority of time in winter spent at Sunshine Village Ski Resort)

Working Conditions: Active outdoor environment - physically demanding (skiing/snowboarding, lifting/pushing/pulling), required to work outdoors year round up to 5 days a week, office environment up to 1 day per week

Perks & Benefits: Season Pass to Sunshine Village (Winter 2025/26), access to pro deals, use of program equipment on personal time (as available), extensive paid training, training opportunities for various certifications (CADS, CSIA)

Report to: Program Manager

Overview The Lead Adaptive Program Instructor will assist with the planning, organizing, leading and delivery of winter alpine programs, and summer paddling programs. The successful applicant will act in a hands-on role teaching lessons, setting up and packing down adaptive equipment, greeting guests & family members, providing community awareness of adaptive sport, monitoring and recording each guest's equipment needs and skill level, plus other assigned duties. They will split their time between instruction, and group program supervision with the Program management team.

Roles & Responsibilities

- (About 75% of the role) Teach a variety of adaptive lessons for participants with physical, sensory (hearing, visual), and/or neurodivergent (intellectual) disabilities:

- Winter: May include any disciplines of adaptive skiing and/or snowboarding (sit skiing, 3-track, 4-track, stand-up skiing, snowboarding)

- Summer: May include kayaking, stand-up paddling, and/or canoeing

- May include various lesson formats (multi-week programs, private lessons for individuals and/or families, specialized group lessons or camps)

- Carry out pre-lesson assessment calls for all participants; assess individual participant health information (physical limitations, orientation and mobility skills, and cognitive, social and emotional barriers) to inform activity adaptation goals.

- Ensure proper duty of care is maintained for participants, and risks are minimized





- Maintain and setup/take down all required equipment

- Develop individualized lesson plans based on participant needs, and collaborate with specialists to develop programs that facilitate their readaptation and independence objectives

- Complete regular Lesson Report Forms and Equipment Logs for all activities, including notes on equipment set-up, assessment of skill level, challenges and successes, and plan for future lessons

- Engage with participants and their families to provide feedback about rehabilitative techniques, and instruction on use of specialized ski equipment to maximize participant independence and potential

- Assist Program Manager with program planning, training, execution, and supervision:

- Assist in program planning and lesson planning for upcoming activities; ensure individualized lesson plans are created based on participant needs, to facilitate their independence objectives

- Assist with instructor and volunteer training sessions

- Assist other instructors with the evaluation and reporting of participant performance, identification of any risks or challenges, and potential solutions; follow up on any missing Lesson Report Forms and Equipment Logs

- Assist with the setup and maintenance of various adaptive equipment

- Ensure all programs have required supplies and equipment; communicate needs to the Program Manager

- Act as “Supervisor on Duty” when Program Manager and/or Program Administrative Coordinator are not present

- Help with RMA’s marketing and outreach efforts:

- Gather photo and video content from participants to help them tell their ‘RMA experience stories’

- Assist with various fundraisers and/or outreach events

- Drive RMA vehicles and/or trailers for staff carpool and/or equipment transfer

- Assist with other duties as assigned

Requirements

Mandatory Requirements

- Qualifications





- Clear Vulnerable Sector Check

- Standard First Aid (AED/CPR C)

- Class 5 Driver’s Licence

- CSIA and/or CASI Level 1 Certification or higher

- CADS Level 1 or higher

- Swift Water Rescue Technician Certification

- Skills & Experience

- A keen interest in outdoor education and adaptive sport

- Strong leadership skills, and experience in a leadership role

- Advanced skiing and/or snowboarding abilities

- Advanced flat water paddling abilities

- Knowledge of canoe/kayak/SUP and adaptive ski equipment setup and maintenance

- Experience working with individuals with physical, sensory and/or neurodivergent challenges, and teaching all adaptive disciplines (sit ski, visually impaired, 3-track, 4-track, neurodivergent) to all age groups

- Ability to problem solve, work independently and as part of a team

- Time management & organisational skills

- Good oral & written communication skills, positive interpersonal skills

Ideal Requirements

- Qualifications

- CSIA and/or CASI Level 2 or higher, or international equivalent

- Flat water Canoe, Kayak or SUP instructor certification

- 40 hr Wilderness Advanced First Aid

- 80 hour Wilderness First Responder

- Class 4 Driver’s License

- Qualifications in teaching or facilitating other outdoor activities (snowshoeing, nordic skiing, hiking, biking, or other mountain sports)

- Skills & Experience

- Experience with white water paddling (Canoe, Kayak, or Raft)

- Related post-secondary education (fields of outdoor leadership, health care, disability studies, support work, or other therapy-related fields)

- Experience or interest in snowshoeing, nordic skiing, hiking, biking, swimming, climbing, or other mountain sports

- Access to personal transport

- Experience driving a truck and trailer

- Strong computer skills, including Excel & Word

- Quick learner

We are an all abilities organization and welcome all applications. We positively encourage individuals living with disabilities as well as other minority groups to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

📌 Adaptive Program Lead (Canmore)
🏢 Rocky Mountain Adaptive Sports Centre
📍 Canmore