Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructors
Fixed Term, Full Time
£25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)
Location: Mersea
Working Style: Fixed-base worker
Closing Date: 14th February 2026
Essex Outdoors’ Centres are taking applications for Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructors for 2026. We’ll be looking for enthusiastic and motivated people to join our team of Instructors.
Please click this link to apply Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructors and please do not use the red apply button. If you are shortlisted you will be invited to a selection day, where you will meet our staff and show us what you can do. If you are successful, you will complete our core and centre-based training programme and start your adventure with us.
We’re recruiting Instructors to run exhilarating activities for small groups of children and sometimes adults too! We provide full training.
Find out more
As a Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructors with Essex Outdoors, you’ll run a wide variety of outdoor activities for our diverse range of customers with a focus on school aged children. Full training and the chance to meet your new team mates is provided before the season starts.
Why work for Essex Outdoors?
- Summer seasonal role, with 3-6 month contracts available
- National Governing Body qualifications in outdoor activities, particularly sailing and paddle sports, are desirable but in-house training is provided to all staff.
- You will need to be available around Easter 2026 to undertake full training prior to starting the role
- Training includes land-based activity delivery, first aid, manual handling, safeguarding and disability awareness
- Subsidised meals are available at our residential centres
- Staff accommodation packages at Bradwell and Mersea sites
- Usual hours 8.30am to 5.30pm, 37 hours a week
- Some flexibility in working hours including weekend days will be required
- Time off in lieu will be provided for any extra hours worked
- You will be expected to help out where needed e.g. inspection and maintenance of activity equipment, care of sites and some domestic duties
- You’ll be based at one centre, but may be asked to support with large bookings at other locations
- Branded uniform will be provided and must be worn
- You’ll need to provide your own sensible footwear
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what our instructors have to say –
Essex Outdoors Activity Instructors – Making adventure a way of life – YouTube
Year-on-year we have summer staff return to work for another season with us, and opportunities for longer contracts do become available. Some staff may have the opportunity to complete nationally recognised qualifications.
To learn more about our business area, please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services
About Our centre:
Mersea – A large centre in a wonderful coastal setting with views across the Blackwater Estuary. Mersea offers a vast selection of both land and water-based activities. Due to the rural location of our Mersea centre, public transport is limited. Please ensure you are happy and able to travel to the centre in your own transport on a daily basis.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a selection day – an opportunity to meet staff from the centres and to showcase some of your skills! If then selected you’ll complete our core and centre-based training programme including activity delivery, first aid, manual handling, safeguarding and disability awareness.
- Contribute to the development and effective implementation of the outdoor programmes.
- Contribute to 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.
- Carry out 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.
- Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
- 2 Local Qualification NGB Certification e.g. BCU 1,2- or 3-star BEL in Climbing, MTB, High Ropes, Orienteering, Problem Solving, Assault course, Low Ropes, sailing RYA Instructor. B.E.L NVQ Level 2 Multiple Local Qualification, NGB Certification e.g. BCU 1,2- or 3-star SPA/ WGL training and a D1 Category driving licence are desirable.
- knowledge of outdoor and residential education with ability to develop skills within role.
- Clear and effective communication skills with the ability to motivate, encourage and relate well to young people and adults.
- 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.
How to apply?
If you would like to apply for this position you will need an up-to-date CV and a personal statement explaining your interest in the role the following information.
- Availability – What is your earliest start date after 1st April 2026?
- Commitments – Please provide the dates of any commitments that mean you are not available to work between April and September 2026, for example booked holiday, university, exams etc.
Essex Outdoors is part of Essex County Council (ECC). As part of your employment with ECC a DBS check is required and must be registered with the DBS update service.
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 are a successful candidate, your personal data will be shared with other systems at Essex County Council in order to progress your application.
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 Everyone’s Essex. 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.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.
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.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
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 https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
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 The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email jamielea.wallis@Essex.gov.uk
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