Outdoor Jobs in Ontario That Get You Out of the Cube

We’ve all heard about the many hazards of sitting at a desk for 40 hours a week: expanding waistlines, poor posture and vitamin D deficiencies from lack of sunshine just to name a few. Being trapped in a cubicle is even more maddening during the summer when others are outside enjoying the warm weather.

Why not take a job that gives you energy rather than sucks it away? Outdoor jobs provide ample exercise, fresh air and exposure to nature. If you’re looking to work outside in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Kenora or anywhere else in Ontario, consider some of these options:

Construction
Construction is another lucrative outdoor occupation. You’ll get lots of sunshine and probably build some upper arm strength too. You can also learn a lot about architecture and can use that knowledge to become a site manager or secure another higher role.

Turf Management
Keeping sports fields green requires a lot of labor. If you love sports, this job will keep you as close to the action as possible.

Mining
Miners don’t get a whole lot of sunshine, but they do get plenty of physical activity and big paychecks. Mining is hard work and is certainly not for everyone, but the industry is huge in Northern Ontario, so it can turn into a very lucrative career path.

Political Canvassing
Door-to-door fundraising lets you work on your tan while you build support for important causes such as environmental conservation and human rights. While many canvassing positions are volunteer based, some non-profits pay canvassers a commission for the funds they raise.

Forestry
If you’ve ever been accused of being a “tree hugger,” maybe you should consider a career in forestry. Foresters don’t just chop down trees so people can build things; they manage, conserve and repair ecosystems to keep nature and society in harmony.

Wildlife Preservation and Rehabilitation
Help injured animals get back on their feet, or take care of animals who have lost their natural habitats. Few jobs are more rewarding as you’ll have an extremely appreciative clientele.

Urban Landscaping
Urban landscaping is becoming a thriving industry: The Greater Toronto Area alone has more than 1,600 public parks with 600 kilometers of walking trails, so there are always plenty of landscaping opportunities in all parts of Ontario.

Work on a Vineyard
Lovers of wine and sunshine can learn firsthand how grapes go from the earth to the bottle. Tilling the fields isn’t the only job opportunity; many vineyards hire people to offer tours and tastings. The Niagara region is Ontario’s wine country.