Zajac Ranch Job Description – Program Coordinator
Organizational Overview: Located on the shores of Stave Lake in Mission, BC, just one hour east of Vancouver, Zajac Ranch is situated on 41 acres of pristine forested land. During the summer months, Zajac Ranch provides camps for children and young adults with chronic, life threatening and/or debilitating conditions. In the off-season, Zajac Ranch welcomes school groups and private rentals. Revenue raised from site rentals goes to supporting Zajac Ranch summer medical camps.
Reporting to: Assistant Camp Director
Direct Reports: Lifeguard Rangers, Rangers (Activity Specialists)
Position Type: Contract, Seasonal
Length of Contract: Summer Camp Season (2027) *some camp session exceptions may apply due to private camps
Compensation: $167.00 per day; MANDT Relational and Technical Training & Certification; plus, meals and accommodation provided during camp sessions
Number of Positions Available: 1
Position Summary The Program Coordinator is a frontline senior camp leader responsible for the quality, safety, consistency, and day-to-day delivery of Zajac Ranch programming. This role directly supervises Lifeguard Rangers & other Rangers (Activity Specialists) and is expected to spend the majority of the camp day moving between program areas, observing activities, coaching staff, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring programs are running smoothly and efficiently.
The successful candidate must develop a strong working knowledge of all core Zajac Ranch program areas and their facilitation expectations, including set-up and take-down, safety procedures, accessibility and adaptation strategies, equipment requirements, and the participant experience. The Program Coordinator should be comfortable stepping into program areas to demonstrate, support, troubleshoot, or facilitate when appropriately trained and required.
While the role includes necessary planning, scheduling, documentation, inventory, and program administration, it is intentionally designed to be highly visible and hands‑on. Routine administrative support may be provided by the Camp Administration Team members, so the Program Coordinator can prioritize program quality, Ranger supervision, and frontline support, though some key administrative and planning will remain with the Program Coordinator.
Key Responsibilities Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of all Zajac Ranch core activities and program areas, including facilitation standards, set-up and closing procedures, safety requirements, equipment, accessibility considerations, and common adaptations.
Maintain a highly visible daily presence across program areas, regularly observing activities and checking that programs are starting on time, prepared, well facilitated, engaging, inclusive, and operating safely.
Move proactively between activity areas throughout the day to identify needs before they become operational issues.
Provide hands‑on support to all Lifeguard/Rangers (Activity Specialists) during busy, complex, or challenging program blocks.
Step in to demonstrate, troubleshoot, co‑facilitate, or provide temporary coverage in program areas when appropriately trained and required.
Support smooth group transitions into and out of activities and work with Unit Leaders to address barriers to camper participation.
Ensure program delivery reflects Zajac Ranch standards and creates a positive, meaningful experience for campers.
2. Ranger / Activity Staff Supervision Provide direct supervision, mentorship, coaching, and day‑to‑day support to Lifeguard/Rangers (Activity Specialists).
Conduct regular in‑person check‑ins and observations to assess facilitation quality, safety, preparedness, communication, camper engagement, and staff performance.
Provide timely feedback and practical coaching, including modelling facilitation techniques and helping staff adapt activities for different camper needs.
Ensure Rangers understand their program responsibilities, schedules, equipment requirements, safety procedures, and standards of conduct.
Facilitate pre‑camp and ongoing program‑specific training and refreshers as required.




Address performance or operational concerns promptly and collaborate with the Camp Director / Assistant Camp Director on formal performance management when necessary.
Complete mid‑summer and end‑of‑season staff evaluations in collaboration with camp leadership.
Promote teamwork, accountability, consistency, and strong communication across the Ranger team.
3. Program Planning, Scheduling & Administration Develop and oversee camp program schedules, including regular activity blocks, electives, theme days, evening programs, special events, and all‑camp activities.
Coordinate program staffing and coverage to ensure all scheduled activities can operate safely and effectively.
Develop backup plans for weather, staffing changes, equipment issues, or other last‑minute operational adjustments.
Maintain and regularly review program binders, lesson plans, risk‑management information, safety documentation, and facilitation resources.
Coordinate program inventory, equipment preparation, purchasing needs, and maintenance requests in advance of and throughout the camp season.
Ensure sign‑up processes and group assignments for electives, special programs, and other scheduled experiences are organized and communicated.
Work with the Camp Administration Team on routine clerical and administrative tasks, while retaining responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, and operational usefulness of program information.
4. Camper Care, Inclusion & Program Adaptation Support camper care not only within activities and program areas, but also across cabins, meals, transitions, routines, and other parts of the camp day when senior‑level support is required.
As a member of the senior management team, step into Unit Leader‑type camper‑care responsibilities when required to maintain safe, consistent, and responsive support for campers and staff. This may include supporting or temporarily overseeing a dorm/unit, coaching counsellor teams, assisting with camper routines, responding to behavioural or inclusion needs, and helping resolve unit‑level concerns.
With three camper dorms and two Unit Leaders, be prepared to provide senior camper‑care leadership and coverage for the third dorm or any unit requiring additional support, as assigned by the Camp Director or Assistant Camp Director.
Step directly into camper supervision and staff‑to‑camper ratio when required due to staffing shortages, breaks, complex camper needs, emergencies, or other operational demands, within the scope of training and competence.
Collaborate closely with Unit Leaders and counsellor teams to understand camper needs, support plans, routines, behavioural considerations, accessibility requirements, and other factors that may affect both program participation and the overall camper experience.
Coach Rangers in adapting activities, communication approaches, equipment, expectations, or participation options to support campers with diverse medical, behavioural, developmental, sensory, or accessibility needs.
Provide alternative activity options or program modifications when required to support meaningful participation.
Communicate camper‑related concerns promptly to the appropriate Unit Leader, Camp Director, Assistant Camp Director, or Nursing team, while also providing immediate senior‑level support when the situation requires it.
Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive camper information.
5. Safety & Camp Operations Promote a solid culture of safety within all program areas and ensure applicable policies, procedures, ratios, and emergency protocols are followed.
Ensure program spaces and equipment are clean, organized, ready for use, and free of identified hazards.
Identify and report equipment concerns, facility issues, maintenance needs, or program risks promptly to the appropriate member of the senior team.
Support emergency drills, crisis response, first aid,



and behavioural intervention as required.
Participate in senior leadership emergency or on‑call responsibilities as scheduled.
Attend senior staff meetings and communicate relevant program updates, staffing concerns, equipment needs, and operational issues.
Support camp‑wide operations, arrivals/departures, special events, and other duties as assigned when program responsibilities allow.
Off-Season Rentals, as Applicable Support rental group operations, including activity set‑up, facilitation, program support, and clean‑up.
Provide outdoor education and recreational programming for visiting groups within the scope of training and certification. Help ensure a safe, organized, and positive guest experience.
Shared Leadership & Camp‑Wide Support Senior staff share collective responsibility for the safety, care, experience, and smooth operation of camp. When camper needs, staffing levels, staff breaks, ratios, emergencies, or operational demands require additional support, senior staff are expected to step in and assist.
This may include direct camper supervision, cabin coverage, staff break coverage, supporting meals and transitions, assisting in program areas, helping with arrivals/departures, or temporarily supporting responsibilities that normally sit within another senior role.
Senior staff may be required to step directly into staff‑to‑camper ratio or provide frontline coverage whenever needed to maintain safe supervision and support the camper experience.
Leadership at Zajac Ranch is hands‑on and service‑oriented. Seniority or job title does not exempt a staff member from frontline responsibilities when support is needed; strong leaders model teamwork by working alongside the people they supervise.
A “that’s not my job” approach is not compatible with the camp environment. Candidates for senior roles must be willing to adapt, roll up their sleeves, and support the broader team wherever reasonably required and within their training and competence.
Decisions about where support is needed will always be guided by camper safety, required ratios, staff well‑being, and our shared goal of creating a safe, meaningful, and magical camp experience for campers.
Qualifications & Experience Strong belief in the value of inclusive camp programs for children and young adults with medical needs.
Bachelor’s degree or post‑secondary education in recreation, outdoor education, education, kinesiology, social work, or a related field is considered an asset.
Minimum 2 years of camp programming, recreation, outdoor education, or activity‑facilitation experience.
Demonstrated experience facilitating multiple types of camp or recreation activities and the ability to learn new program areas quickly.
Previous experience supervising, coaching, or training activity staff is strongly preferred.
Experience supporting individuals with disabilities, medical needs, neurodivergence, or behavioural support needs is considered an asset.
Strong practical facilitation, leadership, communication, problem‑solving, and organizational skills.
Comfort working outdoors and moving continuously between program areas throughout the day.
Ability to balance necessary administrative responsibilities with a strong frontline presence.
Experience with CampBrain and Microsoft Office is considered an asset.
Experience and/or certifications in camp activities such as canoeing, kayaking, ropes/challenge course, archery, lifeguarding, orienteering, outdoor education, or similar programs is strongly considered an asset.
National Lifeguard Service (NLS) certification is considered an asset.
Minimum 17 years of age is required.
Standard First Aid & CPR‑C is required.
Clear Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening is required.
Live‑in role during camp sessions, with opportunity to stay on‑site over weekends, as requested.
This is a highly active and mobile position requiring significant time outdoors and in program areas rather than at a desk.
Requires flexibility, high energy, strong situational awareness, and the ability to respond quickly to program, staffing, and camper needs.
Active participation in physical and recreational activities is expected.

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📌 Program Coordinator (British Columbia)
🏢 Zajac Ranch
📍 British Columbia