We're Looking for ActiveDays Experience Guides (Ontario)

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ABOUT PARKBUS & ACTIVEDAYS

Parkbus is Canada's National Outdoor Transportation company. Since 2010, we've been operating bus services to National and Provincial Parks from major cities across Canada, making the outdoors accessible to everyone.

Our ActiveDays program is where community meets nature. These guided day trips from Toronto to parks throughout southern Ontario bring together groups of 46+ people for shared outdoor experiences. It's not just about getting outside. It's about getting out there together.

We're looking for exceptional guides who can facilitate these community experiences with authenticity, enthusiasm, and skill.

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THE ROLE

As an ActiveDays Experience Guide, you'll lead day-long adventures for groups of 46+ participants, creating an environment where everyone feels welcome to engage with nature in their own way. You're not just managing logistics. You're building community, facilitating connections, and helping people create their own meaningful outdoor experiences.

This role requires someone who can hold space for diverse experiences simultaneously: some participants will want structured guidance and interpretation, others will prefer independent exploration. You'll need to create cohesion within a large group while respecting individual autonomy.

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WHAT MAKES AN EXCEPTIONAL ACTIVEDAYS GUIDE

We're seeking guides who excel at community facilitation and inclusive leadership. The ideal candidate brings:

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Essential Qualities:

• Exceptional people skills. You're energizing, approachable, and skilled at making diverse groups feel welcomed and connected
• Comfortable with ambiguity. You can create structure while allowing space for individual choice; not everyone will do the same activity
• Authentic enthusiasm. Your passion for the outdoors is genuine and contagious, but never pushy or prescriptive
• Cultural competency. You naturally create inclusive environments for participants of different ages, cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and fitness levels
• Confident with large groups. Managing 46+ people doesn't overwhelm you; you know how to maintain energy and connection at scale

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Nice to Have:

• Specialized knowledge (ecology, local history, wellness, photography, etc.) that enriches the experience
• Experience facilitating community programs, teaching, or group leadership
• Established audience or following (social media, community groups, etc.)
• Multilingual abilities

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Before & During Transit (2-3 hours)

• Facilitate warm, professional guest check-in and boarding
• Deliver welcoming orientation that sets the tone for the day
• Lead ice-breaker activities (Trail Buddy Introductions) to help solo travelers and groups connect
• Brief participants on destination highlights, trail options, and logistics
• Share preview of upcoming ActiveDays trips to build repeat participation

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At the Destination (6-8 hours)

• Create an inclusive environment where participants feel empowered to choose their own adventure
• Be visible and available for questions, suggestions, and support
• Facilitate the group summit photo at the designated scenic spot
• Capture authentic content (photos/video) for Parkbus social channels
• Manage logistics including headcount, timing, and departure reminders
• Handle any issues with calm professionalism

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Post-Trip

• Share summit photos to the ActiveDays Facebook community
• Submit trip report including attendance, feedback, and notable moments
• Communicate content to marketing team for social media

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SAMPLE ACTIVEDAYS EXPERIENCES

• 9km guided hikes in Algonquin Provincial Park with wildlife interpretation
• Bike tours through Algonquin Park in partnership with Algonquin Outfitters
• Autumn colour tours through Kawartha Highlands
• Winter snowshoe adventures
• Stargazing trips
• Sunflower patches and tulip farms with guided hikes

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Each destination offers multiple trail options and activities, allowing participants to self-select their level of engagement and challenge.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Standard First Aid & CPR-C certification (current)
• Strong group facilitation skills. Demonstrated experience leading, teaching, or engaging groups of 20+ people
• Excellent communication. Clear, warm, and confident public speaking
• Adaptability & problem-solving. Ability to think on your feet and adjust plans as conditions change
• Interpersonal intelligence. Natural ability to read group dynamics and respond appropriately
• Availability. Minimum 1-2 trips per month (weekends)
• Location. Based in the Greater Toronto Area
• Genuine passion for creating positive outdoor experiences and building community

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PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
• Knowledge of Ontario parks, trails, and natural areas
• Experience in outdoor education, recreation programming, or community facilitation
• Specialty knowledge (natural history, Indigenous land acknowledgment, wellness practices, etc.)
• Track record building engaged communities (online or offline)
• Comfort with social media and content creation

We especially value candidates who bring diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and fresh approaches to outdoor community building.

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POSITION DETAILS

• Reports to: COO
• Compensation: $150-300 per day trip (based on trip length and responsibilities) + $100 for optional admin/travel time
• Schedule: 2-3 trips/month in low season, potential for 6-8 trips/month in peak season (May-October)
• Location: Based from Toronto, ON with day trips throughout southern Ontario
• Hiring Company: Parkbus

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TO APPLY

Send your resume and cover letter to rebecca@parkbus.ca, but more importantly, tell us:

1. What makes you exceptional at facilitating group experiences? Share a specific example of a time you created connection or community in a group setting.
2. How do you balance structure with autonomy? ActiveDays participants want different things from their day. How would you create cohesion while respecting individual choice?
3. What's your relationship with the outdoors? We're not looking for the most hardcore adventurer. We want someone who understands that everyone has their own way of connecting with nature.
4. What community or audience do you already connect with? Do you have an existing network or following that would benefit from ActiveDays experiences?

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Application Deadline: Rolling basis. We're reviewing applications and conducting interviews as they arrive.

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Parkbus is committed to building an inclusive team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.