The post reports to the Service Manager and will work closely with colleagues across Services for Young People and other Hertfordshire County Council teams.

Working hours will be determined according to operational need and may include occasional evenings, weekends and overnight activities.

The Senior Instructor will provide interim operational leadership across Hudnall Park’s outdoor education provision, with responsibility for the safe delivery of activities, quality assurance of programmes/delivery, workforce development and operational readiness.

The role is responsible for:

• Providing day-to-day leadership and line management of sessional outdoor instructors.
• Developing staff capability through supervision, training, coaching and quality assurance.
• Managing instructor rotas and deployment to ensure safe, effective staffing arrangements.
• Acting as the lead officer for operational health and safety across outdoor activities, equipment and relevant site operations.
• Maintaining oversight of inspections, maintenance schedules and equipment records.
• Ensuring risk assessments, operating procedures, curriculum plans, programme documentation and activity guidance are accurate, current and fit for purpose.
• Supporting the development and implementation of high-quality outdoor learning, environmental education and youth development programmes.
• Ensuring safeguarding practice, staffing ratios and operational standards meet Hertfordshire County Council requirements.
• Working with customers and stakeholders to support bookings, programme planning and service enquiries.
• Liaising with schools, youth organisations, community groups and partner agencies to ensure positive customer experiences.
• Supporting quality assurance and continuous improvement across all aspects of service delivery.
• Providing operational leadership to ensure the centre is fully prepared for delivery.
• Supporting wider service development and implementation of the future operating model for Hudnall Park.

This is a unique interim opportunity within a well-established outdoor education centre during a significant period of development and growth for the service.

The role offers the opportunity to:

• Lead and shape operational delivery within a respected outdoor education setting.
• Influence the development of programmes, quality standards and operational systems.
• Support the implementation of a new outdoor learning and camping model.
• Develop a skilled and motivated instructional workforce.
• Build relationships with schools, youth organisations and community partners.
• Contribute directly to improving outcomes for children and young people through outdoor learning experiences.
• Work within a unique woodland environment with extensive opportunities for environmental education and youth development.

About you

This role would suit someone with substantial experience in outdoor education, outdoor learning, adventurous activities or a related field.

Essential:

• Experienced in leading or supervising outdoor education, instructional or activity-based teams.
• Experienced in staff supervision, performance management, coaching or workforce development.
• Knowledgeable in outdoor activity safety management and risk assessment processes.
• Able to demonstrate strong understanding of safeguarding principles and practice when working with children and young people.
• Experienced in the inspection, maintenance and safe management of outdoor activity equipment.
• Able to organise and prioritise operational workloads, staffing arrangements and competing demands.
• Confident in managing health and safety compliance and promoting a strong safety culture.
• Able to establish positive relationships with schools, customers, stakeholders and partner organisations.
• Skilled in quality assurance, monitoring standards and implementing service improvements.
• An excellent communicator with strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work independently whilst supporting wider organisational objectives.
• IT competent and able to utilise digital systems for planning, reporting and communication.
• Flexible, adaptable and willing to respond to operational requirements.
• Ability to travel independently to and from the workplace, as this location is not accessible by public transport.

Desirable:

• Outdoor activity qualifications (NGB or equivalent).
• Forest School, Duke of Edinburgh or environmental education experience.
• Experience managing educational visits or outdoor learning programmes.
• Experience developing curriculum-linked learning activities.
• Experience of working within local government, youth services or educational settings.
• Understanding of licensing, regulatory compliance and outdoor activity frameworks.
• Experience supporting organisational change and service development.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the capability expected of a Community Services Level 11 role, including leadership of a small team, translation of service objectives into operational delivery, problem solving, stakeholder engagement, specialist professional advice and maintaining high-quality front-line services.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact: Debbie Barker – Service Manager: deborah.barker@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Interview date:20th November

This job role is Level 11. Please locate the job profile here:

Job profiles – Community services

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

We are changing

Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), creating a unique opportunity to help shape the future of local services. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.

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