Summer Outdoor Social Experience Guide

About AAFS

The Autism Aspergers Friendship Society of Calgary (AAFS) is a vibrant community organization that provides social and recreational programs for individuals with autism or who identify as being on the spectrum. At AAFS, we believe everyone deserves a community of people who accept them unconditionally and the opportunity to experience the world in the way that feels right for them.

Position Overview

AAFS is seeking passionate, dependable, and proactive individuals to join our team as FT Summer Outdoor Social Experience Guides (SEG) under the Canada Summer Jobs Grant. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being active, outdoors, and community-minded, and who is energized by supporting children, youth, and adults on the spectrum through meaningful summer experiences.

As a Summer Outdoor Social Experience Guide, you will primarily support members through outdoor, camping, recreation, and sports-based experiences. You will help create opportunities for participants to connect with others, build confidence, strengthen independence, and enjoy a sense of belonging in community.

We are looking for team members who are self-starters, strong problem-solvers, reliable, critical thinkers, and confident in supporting and managing behaviours with patience, empathy, and professionalism.

Application Requirement

As part of your application, you must submit a cover letter highlighting your skills, experience, and why you are the ideal candidate for this role.

Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support the planning and facilitation of outdoor, camping, recreation, and sports-based programs

• Provide direct support to participants during activities, helping to create a safe, positive, and inclusive experience

• Model positive social interactions, routines, communication, and community participation

• Foster participant engagement, confidence, and independence through meaningful outdoor and recreational experiences

• Support participants in building social, recreational, and transferable life skills

• Maintain a strong frontline presence by actively working alongside team members while on shift

• Contribute to activity preparation, setup, implementation, and wrap-up

• Assist with activity briefs and team communication when applicable

• Communicate observations, concerns, and successes with program leadership in a timely manner

• Maintain strong rapport with fellow staff, families, caregivers, and community members

• Update member profiles with relevant information as needed

• Support follow-up actions connected to activities and participant experiences

• Demonstrate strong engagement during internal and external meetings

• Communicate and follow up as required with families, caregivers, or community members

• Complete other related duties as required

• Assist with members and programming as needed

• Support administrative tasks related to program delivery, including activity updates in BTB and/or Wild Apricot

• Proactively make changes and updates to systems as needed

• Contribute to program planning, preparation, and logistical coordination

• Meet with leadership in a timely manner to bring forward concerns and discuss potential solutions

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date participant information

• Support shared team responsibilities, including follow-up tasks connected to each activity

• Complete other general and miscellaneous duties as required

What Makes You a Strong Candidate

• Personal or professional experience with neurodiversity; lived experience is highly valued

• Passion for creating inclusive spaces and building authentic community

• Ability to adjust communication style to meet a range of needs

• Confidence in behaviour support, problem-solving, and responding effectively in the moment

• Reliable, mature, and able to take initiative without constant direction

• Comfortable participating in and supporting outdoor, active, and community-based programming

• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset

• Commitment to ongoing learning, reflection, and growth

What We Value

• Diverse perspectives and lived experiences

• Creative and practical problem-solving

• Authentic relationship-building

• Understanding and respect for neurodivergent experiences

• A commitment to unconditional acceptance, inclusivity, and respect for our members, staff, and workplace

Benefits

• Supportive team environment

• Meaningful work with real community impact

• Flexible scheduling options

• Opportunity to spend the summer creating memorable outdoor experiences with community members

Location

Calgary, Alberta
South Clubhouse: 8228 MacLeod Trail SE, Unit 220

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Must be available to work 35 hour per week from July 1 2026 - August 31 2026 

• Valid Class 5 Alberta driver’s licence with a clean driving record

• Preference given to candidates with 3 years of uninterrupted vehicle insurance and no at-fault accidents

• Equivalent experience may include parenting, caregiving, mentoring, community support, disability support, recreation, education, coaching, camp work, or other roles involving relationship-building and behaviour support

• Comfortable supporting participants in outdoor, recreation, sports, and community-based settings

• Able to provide a clean Police Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and a clear Intervention Record Check

• All offers of employment are contingent upon submission of both required checks

AAFS is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all neurotypes, backgrounds, and experiences.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.