Why its good working at the Trust
Find out what it's like to work at Outward Bound from our instructors. Or click below to find out more.
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Instructors and senior instructors
Instructors and senior instructors
Location: Loch Eil, Fort William, Scottish Highlands
Salary: £26,618- £36,085 plus benefits (starting salary is dependent on qualifications and experience).
Contract: Full time, permanent.
Applications in by: 09.00 Monday, 11 November 2024.
Interview: Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Start date: January 2025.
GET READY TO INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE
Outward Bound courses take young people on a journey of self-discovery. These experiences are often life changing - and you'll play an enormous part in this. You'll take them on amazing adventures on our hills, seas and rivers - helping them to learn just what they're capable of in life.
We are looking for instructors who have a real passion for the outdoors and an enthusiasm to help young people. Does this sound like you?
What you'll need...
There are two important parts to being an instructor at Outward Bound. As you’ll be responsible for guiding young people through outdoor adventures, you’ll need some specific qualifications and experience so we know you can do this safely. We’ve listed these skills below.
To be an instructor at Outward Bound you will need to have passed (as a minimum) an assessment in two of these three NGB qualifications and completed training in the other:
- Summer Mountain Leader Award
- Rock Climbing Instructor
- BC Paddlesport Leader Award; or Paddlesport Instructor plus Canoe award; or equivalent previously recognised awards
You'll also need a full driving licence and a valid First Aid Certificate. Take a look at our instructor FAQs for more info.
The second is being passionate about what we do. We want people with the energy and enthusiasm to inspire young people to develop. And a focus on delivering course outcomes. You’ll work with 12 young people from all types of backgrounds on their residential learning journey. You’ll instruct, coach, and listen. Do this well and the learning experiences you deliver on the mountains, lakes, lochs, and seas next to our centres will be intensely powerful, bringing lasting change to the lives of the hundreds of young people you’ll work with.
What you'll get...
- Stunning work locations, allowing you to explore the mountains, sea and rivers
- Full time permanent employment in a supportive workplace, enabling you to reach your professional potential
- Continuous career development, with an individualised training and development package, and dedicated training days. We support you to be the best you can be to reach your professional potential.
- 24 days holiday (rising by a day every year to 30 days), plus public holidays
- Employee benefits including Berghaus uniform, health insurance, life assurance and pension scheme.
Why our instructors love working for us
Every course is different, so no two weeks are the same. Our instructors are given the autonomy to choose which activities and expeditions they want their group to experience to maximise real impact and learning, whilst meeting the required course outcomes. It’s really rewarding as instructors work with their group for the duration of their course and get to see all that they achieve.
We work with a hugely varied client base, ranging from 5-day school and youth group courses to working with graduates & apprentices who are just starting their careers.
Loch Eil is an inspiring place, allowing you to explore the mountains, sea, lochs, and rivers both personally and at work.
Benefits
- Annual Leave of 24 days, plus bank holidays. Annual leave increases by 1 day per year to a maximum of 30 days, plus bank holidays.
- Life Assurance: 3 x salary, covered from start date; includes Employee Assistance Helpline.
- Long-term Disability Insurance: 2/3 salary less state incapacity benefit after 6 months’ absence for up to 5 years, covered from start date
- Employee assistance programme: with easy access to medical and mental health support. Ranging from instant GPs appointments to physio or counselling services.
- Personal Accident Insurance while at work or commuting
- Health Cash Plan with Medicash: on application after completion of probation; taxable benefit
- Pension Scheme (currently Standard Life): Auto-enrolment of all staff after 3 months service
- 8 weeks’ sick pay at full salary in any 12 months
- Berghaus uniform items provided and the opportunity to purchase Berghaus products at discount
- Staff bursaries: discounted course fees for family members
- Cycle to work scheme
Plus!
- Personal Adventures – Outward Bound has a positive attitude to extended/unpaid leave (forward planning is required)
- Transfers from one centre to another: once you have worked for one year at a centre you are able to submit a request for a transfer
To Apply
If you think this job is right for you, send us your current CV and an email or letter (no more than two sides of A4 please) letting us know why.
If you’d like to have an informal chat before applying, please contact Laura Macleod: laura.macleod@outwardbound.org.uk, or call: 01397 772866.
Applications to Kate: workforus@outwardbound.org.uk
We reserve the right to close the recruitment process early where suitable candidates are identified and therefore encourage an early application.
This job is subject to an enhanced disclosure check.
We are keen to develop a more diverse workforce to closely represent the backgrounds of young people we work with. Applications from individuals under-represented in the outdoor sector, including women and minority ethnic backgrounds are particularly welcomed.
top tips for your application
To make it easier for you to apply - and for us to see why we should employ you... here is what you should include in your application. We ask you to send us your current CV and a covering letter.
In your CV:
- Clearly list all your outdoor qualifications. You only need to list your highest qualification within a particular activity.
- Please state all employment since you left school/college. If applicable, include periods when you've not been working, whether by choice or otherwise (eg time out for travelling).
- References that cover your last two years of employment (we won’t contact your referees until you accept a job with us).
In your covering letter please give details of:
- Your relevant experience. This can include the range of groups and individuals you've worked with; different environments and any positions of responsibility you've held.
- Why you're applying. Explain how your experience, qualifications and personal attributes can help Outward Bound and the young people we work with.
- Key achievements. Things you're proud of; experiences you have of expeditions, travelling, journeying in remote areas etc.
PS - if this looks interesting, but there’s a little voice talking you out of applying, we’ll let you into a little secret: there’s no such thing as a perfect candidate. We’re all on this learning journey together at Outward Bound. However you identify, if you think this is a role you could excel in and more importantly you’d be excited to do – then please get in touch.