Freelance (Self Employed) Duke of Edinburghs Awards Expedition Instructor

School of Outdoors Limited; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

Free CPD and training days

Support to gain outdoor qualifications

Quality group kit and events

Staff socials twice a year

Job summary

School of Outdoors is a Buckinghamshire-based outdoor education provider delivering the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions for Bronze, Silver and Gold. As a freelance DofE Instructor, you’ll lead one or two teams per event, teaching navigation, campcraft and expedition skills and supervising practice and qualifying expeditions.

You’ll work flexibly, choosing events that fit your other commitments, including weekends and overnights.

Qualifications

• Mountain Training leadership award suitable for Bronze to Gold expeditions.
• Current outdoor First Aid certificate (min. 16 hours).
• Experience leading groups of young people outdoors and safeguarding knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Deliver DofE training days, practice expeditions and qualifying expeditions using Bronze, Silver and Gold.
• Teach navigation, campcraft and expedition skills to enable independence.
• Supervise teams during expeditions in line with DofE requirements.
• Maintain safety by following procedures and complete assessor reports when accredited.
• Represent School of Outdoors professionally with schools and clients.

Skills

DofE leadership

Outdoor First Aid

Experience with young people

Safeguarding knowledge

Weekend availability

Education

Outdoor leadership qualification (Lowland Leader / Mountain Leader)

Job description

About the role

School of Outdoors is a DofE Approved Activity Provider. We deliver the expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold, on foot and by paddleboard, for schools and centres.

As a DofE Instructor, you’ll look after one or two teams at each event. You’ll teach them navigation, campcraft and expedition skills, then supervise them as they put those skills into practice on their practice and qualifying expeditions. Every event has a Course Director who sets the supervision plan and supports you on the day.

The work is freelance and flexible. You choose the events that suit you, so it fits well alongside other commitments. Many of our instructors do this role alongside other full‑time jobs, including teaching and other careers. If you’re unsure whether it would fit around your current role, get in touch and we’ll talk it through.

Thinking about a career change into the outdoors? We welcome people who are working towards outdoor qualifications such as Lowland Leader. We’ll support you as you build your experience and complete your awards.

What you’ll be doing

• Delivering DofE training days, practice expeditions and qualifying expeditions using our Bronze, Silver and Gold frameworks.
• Teaching the skills teams need to become independent, then stepping back so they can lead.
• Supervising teams remotely, in line with DofE requirements and the event supervision plan.
• Keeping yourself and the young people safe, following our operating procedures and emergency processes.
• Completing any reports, and assessor reports where you’re an Accredited Assessor.
• Representing School of Outdoors professionally with school staff and clients.

What we’re looking for

Essential:

• A Mountain Training leadership award suited to the terrain: Lowland Leader for Bronze and lowland expeditions, or Hill and Moorland Leader or Mountain Leader for wild country at Silver and Gold. If you’re working towards Lowland Leader, we’d still love to hear from you.
• A current outdoor First Aid certificate (minimum 16 hours).
• Experience leading or supervising groups of young people outdoors.
• A sound understanding of safeguarding.
• You’re comfortable camping and working in all weathers, including overnights and weekends.
• You can get yourself to event locations, which are often rural.

Desirable:

• DofE Expedition Supervisor training and/or Accredited Assessor status.
• A Camping Leader award.
• Paddle UK stand-up paddleboard qualifications.
• Experience supporting young people with SEND or additional needs.

What we offer

• Flexible work that fits around your life and other employment.
• Free CPD and staff training days.
• Support to gain outdoor qualifications through our own Lowland Leader, Camping Leader and First Aid courses, ideal if you’re starting out or changing career.
• Good quality group kit, School of Outdoors clothing and well‑run events.
• Staff social events twice a year.

About School of Outdoors

Our purpose is to create a world where everyone can grow. We’re an outdoor education and Alternative Provision organisation based in Buckinghamshire, working with young people across the South East. Outdoor education is where we started, and it remains at the heart of everything we do.