What Can You Do with an ORTM Degree?
The Nature-Based Tourism degree and Wildland Conservation and Recreation Major will prepare you for a fantastic career and an awesome lifestyle in Canada or overseas. Our Faculty and students have worked here in BC, across Canada, and around the world. Conservation, outdoor recreation, and nature-based tourism offer amazingly diverse employment opportunities in pretty cool places. Moreover, these fields are filled with people passionate about the issues they are working on and solutions they are contributing to
Students and graduates work in a variety of sectors including Federal, provincial or state, and municipal governments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), quasi-public agencies such as YMCA and Girl Scouts, industry or employee services, arts and culture, events, as well as university or college teaching, and private commercial business operations. Employment in recreation, parks and tourism is as broad and diverse as your interests and passions and fulfills some basic human needs and desires. In addition to non-profits (e.g. Yellowstone to Yukon, WWF) and private businesses (Fairmont Hotels, mountain resorts, etc…) students and alumni have worked with BC Parks, Parks Canada, and various government ministries (e.g. Ministry of Environment, BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development; BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture). Some job titles include:
- Outdoor Instructor, Guide, Educator, Coach (e.g. climbing, biathlon, back-country skiing, fly fishing, mountaineering, cycle)
- Bear, whale and other wildlife viewing guide
- Sales Manager (e.g. ski hill, zip line, climbing company…)
- Recreation Director for a city, town, or private company (e.g. hotel like Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge)
- Tourism Destination marketing and communications managers
- Economic Development Officer
- Nature-based tourism and adventure photographers and filmmakers
- Environmental and Experiential Educator
- Park Interpreter
- Environmental and/or social research consultant
- Park Operator
- Recreation technician
- Park Warden, Area Supervisor
Job Search Links
Canadian Search Sites
WorkCabin.ca
BC Government Jobs
Canadian Government Jobs
CUSO
Go2: The resource for people in tourism
Guest Ranches in BC
Hospitality Careers
Ontario Government Jobs
Public Service Commission of Canada
Tourism BC Jobs
US Search Sites
Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education
American Zoological and Aquarium Association
Coolworks
Outdoor Education
U.S. National Park Service Careers
International Search Sites
Jobs & Careers in Outdoor, Environmental & Adventure Education
Current Job Postings
BC Parks - Summer Employment Opportunities
The Student Ranger applications are technically closed, however every year there seems to be last minute vacancies across the province. If anyone is still interested, they can directly email the Student Ranger Coordinator (Robyn Klinkman) at Parks.StudentRangers@gov.bc.ca; Crew Member positions run from May 10th- August 23rd and Crew Lead positions run from April 28th – August 30th.
Student Ranger Crew and Crew Leader locations
- Black Creek (Miracle Beach Park)
- Clearwater (Wells Gray Park)
- Cranbrook
- Fort St. John
- Kamloops
- Mount Robson
- North Vancouver
- Penticton
- Prince George
- Smithers
- Squamish
- Terrace
- Tofino
- Victoria (Goldstream Park)
- Williams Lake
If students are graduating and not returning to the fall, another alternative is the Rec Sites and Trails Seasonal Maintenance Crews. Same thing there, applications are closed, but they can email the Coordinator (Sophia Lenarduzzi) at recinfo@gov.bc.ca; Crew Member positions run from May 5th- August 29th and Crew Leader potions run from April 14th - August 29th.
Seasonal Maintenance Crews and Crew Leader Locations
- Cranbrook
- Chilliwack
- Clearwater
- Dawson Creek
- Nanaimo
- Nelson
- Prince George
- Revelstoke
- Vernon
- Terrace
- Williams Lake
- Smithers
The BC Parks Foundation is also hiring for a number of ambassador programs across the province, including Mount Robson. More information and applications can be found here: https://bcparksfoundation.ca/careers/
Huble Homestead - Heritage Interpreters
Huble Homestead is hiring four Heritage Interpreters for the upcoming summer! Heritage Interpreters are responsible for creating and enhancing an inviting experience and atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Day-to-day responsibilities include interpreting historical information about the site and the region; assisting in the planning and execution of site programming; providing excellent customer service; learning about and presenting historical activities; and assisting with general site maintenance.
A full job description is available at https://www.hublehomestead.ca/employment
Huble Homestead is a historic site located 40km north of Prince George, BC on Lheidli T’enneh keyoh. At Huble Homestead we focus on preserving and promoting the history of Huble Homestead, Giscome Portage, and the surrounding region through responsible stewardship and education programming.
If you have any questions, you can contact Christine Reid at store@hublehomestead.ca or 250-564-7033.
HUB Cycling - Bike Education Instructor
Join HUB Cycling’s incredible team of like-minded educators, aspiring teachers, outdoor enthusiasts, and active retirees. We are expanding our team by hiring full-time and part-time Bike Education Instructors to start in Spring 2025.
At HUB Cycling our aim is to get more people cycling more often to create healthier, happier, more connected communities. Our Bike Education Instructors deliver engaging bike safety courses that reach thousands of youth and adults annually all across Metro Vancouver.
We encourage you to apply if you are someone who:
- Believes in the benefits of cycling for transportation
- Is confident riding a bicycle in urban environments
- Enjoys working with youth aged 8-14
- Is adaptable, friendly, and works well as part of a team
Job Description: HUB Cycling - Bike Education Instructor
Link to website job posting: https://www.bikehub.ca/about-us/news/job-posting-bike-education-instructor-1
Wuikinuxv Nation - Summer Recreation Coordinator
Position: Summer Recreation Coordinator
Location: Rivers Inlet, BC, Wuikinuxv Nation
Duration: April 28, 2025-August 30, 2025
Compensation: $30/hour, travel to Rivers Inlet and accommodation are included.
Eligibility: Open to students enrolled in post-secondary programs, particularly those studying recreation management, community development, or related fields.
The Summer Recreation Coordinator will be responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing a range of recreational activities for the community, specifically our children and youth who live in the community and return home for the summer. This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with a vibrant Indigenous community, gain hands-on experience in program coordination, and help create a positive and engaging summer for participants of all ages.
Those interested in applying can email their resume to Crystal Matilpi at education@wuikinuxv.net. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.
Job Description: Summer Recreation Coordinator
Government of Alberta - Junior Forest Rangers
We are currently recruiting Crew Leaders for the 2025 season (JFR Crew Leaders and Sub Leaders Job Details | Government of Alberta).
The JFR program is an incredible summer employment opportunity for post-secondary students and graduates. We have up to nine crews stationed in the ten different forest areas across Alberta each year, consisting of a Crew Leader and Sub Leader (post-secondary students or graduates), as well as six Crew Members (high school students). Our crews live on an Alberta Wildfire base and take part in a wide variety of hands-on work projects and educational opportunities, such as tree planting, trail building, shadowing a Fish and Wildlife Officer, stream assessments, outdoor recreation, and wildfire education.
Job Link - JFR Crew Leaders and Sub Leaders Job Details | Government of Alberta.
JUMP! Foundation - Program Director
JUMP! is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and visionary Program Director to lead our transformative summer programs in the heart of the British Columbia wilderness. As the Program Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of JUMP! Canada, overseeing all aspects of program operations, from recruitment and training to logistics and participant experience. Your passion for outdoor education and your ability to inspire others will be essential to our continued success.
Job Link - Program Director
JUMP! Foundation - Outdoor Instructor
JUMP! Canada is looking for dynamic, passionate, and hardworking facilitators to deliver transformational, fun, and safe courses for youth at our wilderness site near 100 Mile House, BC.
Job Link - Outdoor Instructor
Windigo - Tour Leaders and Adventure Guides
Are you passionate about the outdoors, adventurous, have strong leadership skills that inspire confidence and, most of all, like to share your knowledge? If you said yes to any of those then, becoming a Windigo Guide is the perfect opportunity for you!
Job Link - Windigo Tour Leader and Adventure Guide