Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructor

Essex County Council; Harlow; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Harlow is seeking enthusiastic Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructors for 2026. In this role, you will run outdoor activities focused on children while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations. Full training will be provided for successful candidates, along with opportunities for further qualifications. This is a fixed-term, full-time role with subsidized meals and accommodation options available. You must be available for training prior to the season start.

Benefits

Subsidised meals

Staff accommodation packages

Uniform provided

Qualifications

• NGB Certification in various outdoor activities is desirable.
• Experience in establishing a safe environment for activities.
• Ability to develop outdoor youth work programmes.

Responsibilities

• Run a variety of outdoor activities for children and adults.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety requirements.
• Contribute to the development of outdoor programmes.

Skills

Clear communication skills

Ability to motivate and encourage

Knowledge of residential education

Organizational skills

Ability to monitor and evaluate effectiveness

Education

Local Qualification NGB Certification

B.E.L NVQ Level 2

Job description

Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructor

Fixed Term, Full Time

£25,081 per annum

Location: Harlow

Closing Date: 14th February 2026

Essex Outdoors' Centres are taking applications for Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructors for 2026. We'll be looking for enthusiastic and motivated people to join our team of Instructors.

We're recruiting Instructors to run exhilarating activities for small groups of children and sometimes adults too! We provide full training.

As a Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructor with Essex Outdoors, you'll run a wide variety of outdoor activities for our diverse range of customers with a focus on school aged children. Full training and the chance to meet your new team mates is provided before the season starts.

Why work for Essex Outdoors?

• Summer seasonal role, with 3-6 month contracts available
• National Governing Body qualifications in outdoor activities, particularly sailing and paddle sports, are desirable but in-house training is provided to all staff.
• You will need to be available around Easter 2026 to undertake full training prior to starting the role
• Training includes land-based activity delivery, first aid, manual handling, safeguarding and disability awareness
• Subsidised meals are available at our residential centres
• Staff accommodation packages at Bradwell and Mersea sites
• Usual hours 8.30am to 5.30pm, 37 hours a week
• Some flexibility in working hours including weekend days will be required
• Time off in lieu will be provided for any extra hours worked
• You will be expected to help out where needed e.g. inspection and maintenance of activity equipment, care of sites and some domestic duties
• You'll be based at one centre, but may be asked to support with large bookings at other locations
• Branded uniform will be provided and be worn
• You’ll need to provide your own sensible footwear

Don't just take our word for it, hear what our instructors have to say -

Essex Outdoors Activity Instructors - Making adventure a way of life - YouTube

Year-on-year we have summer staff return to work for another season with us, and opportunities for longer contracts do become available. Some staff may have the opportunity to complete nationally recognised qualifications.

About Our centre:

Harlow - Our urban day centre located on the banks of the River Stort. Home to "The Lock" - one of Essex's largest climbing facilities.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a selection day - an opportunity to meet staff from the centres and to showcase some of your skills! If then selected you’ll complete our core and centre-based training programme including activity delivery, first aid, manual handling, safeguarding and disability awareness.

• Contribute to the development and effective implementation of the outdoor programmes.
• Contribute to the supervision and pastoral care of young people (and adults where necessary) in residence in the centre and to act as a positive role model.
• Carry out repairs and renewals to activity equipment and practical maintenance to Centre buildings and grounds to ensure a safe environment.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with the Health and Safety requirements of Essex County Council.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• 2 Local Qualification NGB Certification e.g. BCU 1,2- or 3-star BEL in Climbing, MTB, High Ropes, Orienteering, Problem Solving, Assault course, Low Ropes, sailing RYA Instructor. B.E.L NVQ Level 2 Multiple Local Qualification, NGB Certification e.g. BCU 1,2- or 3-star SPA/ WGL training and a D1 Category driving licence are desirable.
• knowledge of outdoor and residential education with ability to develop skills within role.
• Clear and effective communication skills with the ability to motivate, encourage and relate well to young people and adults.
• Ability to organise and plan ahead and develop relevant outdoor youth work programmes in response to assessed educational needs.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the youth work curriculum that has been delivered.
• Experience of establishing and maintaining a safe environment for the specific activity.

How to apply?

If you would like to apply for this position you will need an up-to-date CV and a personal statement explaining your interest in the role the following information.

• Availability - What is your earliest start date after 1st April 2025?
• Commitments - Please provide the dates of any commitments that mean you are not available to work between April and September 2025, for example booked holiday, university, exams etc.

Essex Outdoors is part of Essex County Council (ECC). As part of your employment with ECC a DBS check is required and must be registered with the DBS update service.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. If you are a successful candidate, your personal data will be shared with other systems at Essex County Council in order to progress your application.