Job Description

Senior Instructor (Essex Outdoors)
Permanent, Full Time
25,932 to 30,508 per annum
Location: Harlow
Working Style:
Closing Date: 28th September 2025
The Opportunity
Essex Outdoors is a leading provider of outdoor experiences to schools in the East of England and is looking to grow its customer base both within this region and across the country. Our vision is to make the Essex brand recognised as the UK leader in schools' outdoor residential provision through innovation and customer focus. Essex Outdoors operates within a commercially competitive environment.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Instructor to join our team. In this role, you will develop and deliver high-quality outdoor education and NGB programs, working closely with the Centre Manager and Assistant Manager. You will lead health and safety coordination across all activity areas, ensuring equipment and resources are well-maintained. Additionally, you will supervise groups both on and off-site, organizing activities in compliance with the Centre's and County Council's policies, participate in the Centre's residential work as well playing a key role in the development of new and incumbent staff members.
The ideal candidate will have at least two NGB Certifications - Paddle UK Core Coach/Paddle Leader, RCI, CWI, ML(s), ERCA - and the ability to motivate and encourage young people and adults. Responsibilities include planning, developing, monitoring, and evaluating programs to measure their effectiveness. If you are passionate about outdoor education and have the skills to inspire others, we would love to hear from you.
For more information on all the activities are available please check out our website:
Accountabilities

• Lead the development and effective implementation of the outdoor programmes.
• Lead in 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.
• Responsible for organising 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.
• Accompany customers on visits and outings which may include outdoors activities.
• Responsible for observations of practice process, ensuring the standard and quality of delivery is maintained, recording and collating as appropriate.
• Lead the customer support team to further develop programs and allocate resources.
• Recruit to and deliver NGB courses to staff and customers.
• Deliver outdoor education programs to customers in remote areas of the UK and abroad.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Possesses at least 2, preferably 3 National Governing Body Outdoor Education qualifications at coach level. A D1 & D1E driving licence category is desirable.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and good knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Evidence of significant experience of delivering outdoor provision and environmental programs.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to motivate, encourage and relate well to young people and adults.
• Good leadership skills and behaviours with the ability to motivate a diverse team to deliver shared objectives.
• 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.

Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to
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 would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
Follow us on , , and . Further details can be found on our .
Downloads
| | |

Skills Required