Seasonal Outdoor Education Instructor - Dorset

Outdoor Learning; Castletown; Remote; GBP 27,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly salary + paid holiday

Offsite instructor house accommodation

Staff trips and CPD opportunities

Training and development support

Job summary

Portland Outdoor Centre is seeking a Seasonal Outdoor Education Instructor to join our residential centre on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. The role focuses on delivering Coasteering, Climbing, Abseiling and watersports to school and youth groups, with thorough training provided by a supportive team.

We offer accommodation in the instructor house, CPD opportunities, and progression paths. Contracts run until late Sep/Oct 2027, with a salary of £26,728–£28,080 per annum pro rata and term-time

Qualifications

• Qualities we are looking for: strong work ethic, passion for outdoors, desire to progress and gain qualifications, prior experience with young people, climbing/coasteering trained, BC Core coach, Archery GB/GNAS, Lowland Leader Award or higher.

Responsibilities

• Instructors deliver Coasteering, Climbing and Watersports sessions at various venues.
• Develop skills through practical activity delivery and training.
• Support and supervise groups to ensure safe, engaging experiences.

Skills

Strong work ethic

Outdoor enthusiast

Experience with youth

Climbing instructor training

Coasteering experience

BC Core coach

Archery GB/GNAS

Lowland Leader Award

Job description

Contract type Full time / Seasonal or Fixed term

Closing date 01 Feb 2027 03:00 PM

Seasonal Outdoor Education Instructor at Portland Outdoor Centre

Portland Outdoor Centre is a 140-bed residential outdoor education centre located on the Isle of Portland, on the south coast of sunny Dorset.

Offering a variety of outdoor activities that take full advantage of the surrounding countryside, from the vast Chesil Beach to the cliff edges of Portland Bill. All our activities take place off-site ensuring our groups experience real environments with time to immerse themselves in the landscape and the activities. Known as a UK sport climbing mecca and surrounded by sea we have a vast outdoor playground readily available within minutes.

Our small close-knit team values engaging outdoor experiences and takes pride in delivering high-quality activities that leave young people with positive lifelong memories.

Accommodation can be provided in our off-site instructor house, which is a 10-minute walk from our Centre. This is within striking distance of Chesil beach, swimming/paddling and sauna opportunities, climbing venues, coasteering venues and the necessities of everyday living such as tescos /lidl.

Sleeping up to 140 we are small enough to ensure high-quality experiences and hospitality for all our groups, whether they are multi-activity school programmes, adult groups or DofE Gold Residential programmes.

Activities we offer include: Coasteering, Climbing and Abseiling, Coastal Bushcraft, Watersports (inc MEGA stand up paddleboarding, SOT kayaking, traditional raft building), Big Canoeing and a number of other on-site and off-site experiences. Thorough training is provided to enable you to deliver to our high standard.

Portland Outdoor Centre has two sister centres; New Forest Outdoor Centre and Brenscombe Outdoor Centre. You will have the opportunity to visit each centre and use their facilities. Each centre has its own character with its own variety of activities and clientele. Although predominantly based at Portland the opportunity to work at the other sites during the season only provides more opportunity to broaden and develop your skill set.

At Portland, Instructors can expect to really use their awards while developing skills and experience. A normal week will involve Coasteering at Portland Bill, running Climbing sessions at one of our numerous local venues and delivering a selection of Water-sports from Portland Harbour.

Portland Outdoor Centre offers a genuine opportunity to progress as an instructor. We have a highly motivated, active and professional team. If you like the idea of an afterwork Climb, Coasteer, Beach BBQ or paddle/swim/sauna you’ll fit right in.

In return for your hard work, we offer:

• Monthly salary + paid holiday
• Affordable offsite accommodation in our instructor house
• Staff trips and CPD opportunities throughout the season.
• Funding and support for personal training and development
• National Coasteering Charter Guide training early in the season and support/opportunity to continue to assessment within the season.
• A busy and exciting working atmosphere with plenty of opportunity to develop your skills
• Predominantly Monday to Friday working through school term time
• Access to trade discounts on outdoor kit
• Access to facilities across the organisation including a bunkhouse in North Wales

Qualities we are looking for:

• A strong work ethic
• Enthusiastic about the outdoors, and are keen to personally paddle, climb, coasteer and have fun with us!
• Desire to progress and develop your own skills and qualifications
• Prior experience working with young people
• Rock Climbing Instructor Training OR Coasteering experience
• BC Core coach
• Archery GB/GNAS
• Lowland Leader Award or above

Contracts until end of September/October 2027 are available

Portland Outdoor Centre is an equal opportunities employer and we are eagerly seeking applications from all sectors of society.

Portland Outdoor Centre, Castletown, Portland, DT5 1BD

01305 822255

Salary: £26,728 - £28,080 per annum pro rata in 2026 - Salary increases due from April 2027 (amount TBC)

Contract: Full time, fixed term

Application Closing date: 1st February 2027 (looking to appoint positions asap)