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Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructors

Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructors

Essex Outdoors’ Centres are taking applications for Seasonal Instructors for 2025.

Explore an exciting range of summer jobs in Essex – no experience required.

We’re recruiting Instructors to run exhilarating activities for small groups of children and sometimes adults too!

We provide full training, with accommodation available at two of our sites.  If you’re aged 18 or over, enthusiastic, hard-working, a good communicator and love the great outdoors we want to hear from you.

What is it like working for Essex Outdoors?

Find out more

As a Seasonal Instructor 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.

  • Summer seasonal role, with 3-6 month contracts available
  • National Governing Body qualifications in outdoor activities are desirable but full in-house training is provided to all staff
  • You will need to be available around Easter 2025 to undertake full training prior to starting the role
  • Training includes activity delivery, first aid, manual handling, safeguarding and disability awareness
  • Subsidised meals are available at our residential centres
  • Staff accommodation packages at some sites
  • Usual hours 8.30am to 5.30pm, 37.5 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

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.

Our centres

Bradwell – Situated on the River Blackwater Estuary, a lovely stretch of sheltered tidal water with panoramic views and stunning sunsets. Bradwell is a leading provider of sailing, yachting and water sport activities as well as land-based. A residential package is available for instructors.*

Danbury – A large centre set on a 70-acre site of beautiful countryside and woodlands. Danbury runs a large range of both land-based and water-based activities.

Harlow -our oasis of urban adventure offering an amazing range of activities. Harlow includes a specialist climbing and paddle-sport centre, and one of the largest indoor climbing walls in the South East.

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. A residential package is available for instructors.*

Full details of all our activities are available here

*Due to the rural location of our Bradwell and Mersea centres, public transport is limited. These centres may be able to offer the opportunity to stay on site. Please indicate in your application if this is something you would require. Otherwise please ensure you are happy and able to travel to the centre in your own transport on a daily basis.

 To apply

  • You need to be aged 18 or over at the start of your employment
  • You need to be available to work continuously throughout the main season which runs May to August. We ask for details of your availability in the form.
  • Complete and submit a supporting information form online or download, complete and email a form to jobs@essexoutdoors.com
  • Include details of your experience of, or interest in, working in the outdoors, and whether you have any experience of working with young people.
  • Email your CV to jobs@essexoutdoors.com

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.

Apply now >

Complete and submit our online form, or click here to download a Word document to complete and email to jobs@essexoutdoors.com

Job details


Locations: Bradwell, Danbury, Harlow and Mersea
Salary: From £23,555 pa (From £12.21 per hour)
Contract type: Fixed term full-time 3 to 6-month contracts, subject to the requirements of the service. Part time hours may be considered.
Good to know: Full training is provided. Applicants must be 18+ and complete an enhanced DBS check prior to employment.