Introduction

Not all education takes place inside the school gates. Community services help young people to develop many skills from outdoor activities such as abseiling. And it is not only physical attributes that are acquired. Working in groups helps pupils build confidence and learn how to cope with relationships as well.

The post exists in all types of authority except for district councils.

Work Environment

By definition, work is undertaken outside the school buildings. Outdoor education workers are often based at a special centre or park. The hours are 35 per week which
includes evening, weekend and holiday work. The job is often offered as part-time work.

It is sometimes physically demanding, noisy and boisterous.

Daily Activities

The purpose of the job is to provide climbing and adventure activities to young people, schools and other agencies such as youth and community clubs. The activities at any one centre could include:

• climbing (outdoor wall)
• high and low ropes courses
• adventure problem solving – learning how to use a compass, overcome obstacles, light a fire without matches and so on
• mountain biking
• archery
• orienteering
• canoeing in an indoor swimming pool, or outside in a river
• nature trail.

Specific duties encompass:

• working directly with young people to help them with their personal and social development and giving them the support they need to develop self esteem
• taking sessions with the “disengaged” – those with special needs such as behavioural problems, physical and mental disability and those from ethnic minorities
• making sure that any educational adventure is safe and purposeful as well as exciting
• helping with the training of youth workers and teachers
• contributing new ideas to develop outdoor education opportunities
• working with the team to generate income and external funding to meet the costs of running a centre
• being responsible for the maintenance and safety of equipment and facilities
• assisting with the marketing of facilities to a broader public
• taking part in environmental programmes.

Skills & Interests

You would need to be:

• flexible and able to adapt readily to change
• able to plan and deliver work effectively
• a skilled communicator
• healthy and have stamina
• aware of how groups work together, including team building and development
• understanding of young people’s attitudes and the issues that affect them
• able to create a caring, but professional approach to people
• able to vary the styles of leadership to suit the client and the setting
• adept at drawing out the strengths of young people in formal and informal situations
• a good organiser and administrator.

Entry Requirements

You need to have the British Mountaineering ‘Single Pitch Award’ (SPA) (form more information check www.mltb.org)

It is essential that you have worked with young people and adults in informal and formal settings and with groups and individuals. Also experience of work on programmes of outdoor education activities and in multi disciplinary teams is important.

Estimated salary range

Around £15,987

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

There are opportunities for advancement in many different areas of outdoor education in formal and informal establishments. You can move up to team or expedition leader, for example. And there are a variety of jobs in community services.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Caring For Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

Skills Active www.skillsactive.com

National Youth Agency www.nya.org.uk

Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk

Follow this link for social services recruitment contacts within local councils in your area.

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library – under V.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Outdoor Education Worker vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers – The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in – ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.