Outdoor Learning & Adventure Education Instructor - Fixed term until 29/6/2027
Bangholm Outdoor Centre
Salary: £34,452 - £40,501
Hours: 36 per week
The City of Edinburgh Council is committed to safe, impactful outdoor learning and adventure education (OL&AE). The OL&AE Team operates 4 centres, including 3 outdoor centres and the Risk Factory. The Team has wide ranging responsibilities across safety and quality from onsite activity to residential provision.
We have an exciting opportunity for an instructor to join our Edinburgh-based Bangholm team from September 2026 to June 2027. The post involves three core areas of targeted delivery with an emphasis on supporting young people with additional support needs (ASN), plus Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) ‘disadvantaged’ learners. Training will be ongoing; providing the opportunity for the successful applicant to develop their personal skills and experiences in delivering targeted OL&AE. A project plan for each core area will ensure effective induction, training and support. The successful applicant will operate within the Bangholm safety management framework; led by the Bangholm Operations Manager. The core work below provides a rewarding and unique opportunity to make a difference to learners’ outcomes and experiences!
Core Area 1: 0.2 FTE, delivering OL&AE for a primary special school in Edinburgh. School staff will support each session. Specialist ASN training will be provided via the school, plus wider advice and support via the Bangholm Operations Manager and existing targeted support OL&AE instructor. This is a new programme and so provides the opportunity to be innovative in partnership with school staff.
Core area 2: 0.4 FTE, delivering DofE Bronze sections to small groups from four secondary / special schools. This is part of our DofE Action Zone initiative aimed at boosting bronze ‘disadvantaged’ learner achievement. Pilot work has shown carefully targeted resources, and support can raise achievement significantly. Delivery of overnight expeditions is integral to this post, plus Council staff will support sessions. Support and guidance will be provided via our OL&AE Team Development Officer (Achievement Awards), including DofE award training if required.
Core Area 3: 0.2 FTE, delivering trial OL&AE programmes to up to two secondary school groups. This is part of our development of a new accredited OL&AE qualification via Qualifications Scotland. Support and guidance will be provided via our OL&AE Team Development Officer (Qualifications).
The post includes 0.2 FTE non-contact time, which allows the successful applicant to prepare sessions, complete evaluations and undertake ongoing training.
This advert and the person specification provide role-specific information about this fixed term post. The City of Edinburgh Council Instructor generic Job Description covers provision across our service, including at Benmore and Lagganlia (not role-specific to this post). We welcome applications from persons who wish to develop their skills, and experiences in the core areas as well as those with existing strengths delivering programmes to targeted learners. Please check the ‘essentials’ carefully in the person specification before applying.
The role is primarily working outdoors in and around Edinburgh for long periods of the day, throughout the year in different environmental conditions; sometimes in remote and potentially hazardous locations. Work will be land and water-based, plus some activity at height. Suitable and sufficient PPE, induction and support are provided. The allocated work office is Bangholm Outdoor Centre, Edinburgh. The successful applicant will be able to work occasional weekends, evenings, and overnight, plus occasional working across Scotland. Annual leave will be planned via the Bangholm Operations Manager. This will be approved subject to the needs of the OL&AE Team, and will generally be during school holidays. Some in-term holidays may be approved subject to programme design.
We hope you are excited by the opportunity to make a significant contribution to OL&AE in Edinburgh. Please ensure any application is relevant and specific to this advert and attached information. Generic applications will be rejected. Interviews are expected to take place in July / August. For further information which may support your application and any questions, please contact [email protected] (Bangholm Acting Operations Manager) and [email protected] (OL&AE Team Manager). Please note; copy both staff into your enquiry as one may be on annual leave.
This post is regulated work with children and/or protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. An unconditional offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory.
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued and able to be their best. We particularly encourage applications from women for senior roles, as well as people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities or neurodivergent people, care experienced people, carers and LGBT+ people across all levels of the organisation, all of whom are currently underrepresented. All applicants will be considered fairly based on skills and experience. Disabled and care-experienced applicants who meet the minimum job criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Find out more about our commitment to equalities https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/work-us/inclusive-edinburgh/4
As part of our goal to improve organisational culture and create a great place to work together for the people of Edinburgh, we want to make sure we're recruiting the best people. We’re interested not only in your skills and experience but also in your approach to work. Therefore, part of our interview process will be an assessment of how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working.
You can find out more on Our Behaviours web page Our Behaviours – The City of Edinburgh Council
Our salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and annually increases until it reaches the top of the range.
Happy to talk flexible working.
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