Grade: Trainee
Instructors will be paid for 1 day per week at Scale 1 for an Outdoor Education
Tutor. The other 4 days of the week will
be a shadow worker, getting free board, lodgings, and training.
Vacancy Hours: 32.43 hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed term part time hours
Weekend Working: Yes
Interview Date: Mon 25th and Tue 26th July 2022
Venue for Interview: There will be a two day interview at Bewerley Park Centre on the 25th of July and at East Barnby on the 26th July. Both interview days will need to be attended, although transport can be provided between the centres if required and accommodation.
4 x Trainee Instructor Posts
These 4 posts are training contracts provided by North Yorkshire Outdoor Learning Service which enables participants to gain the experience and qualifications needed to be qualified as a Tutor of Outdoor Education. There are 4 training posts available, 2 at Bewerley Park Centre, Pateley Bridge (in the Yorkshire Dales) and 2 at East Barnby, near Whitby (in the North York Moors). Both centres are large, well established North Yorkshire County Council residential centres set in the beautiful locations. We offer a full range of outdoor activities including climbing, canoeing, caving, sailing and mountain biking and provide "Motivational Learning in Inspirational Environments" for both primary and secondary age pupils , as well as NGB adult courses. There will be opportunities to undertake a full range of national governing body awards - see our website - www.outdoored.co.uk - for further information.
As part of the employment package, we provide food, accommodation and a comprehensive training package. The posts are initially a one year fixed term contract, but there may be opportunities to extend to a second year. Interviews will be a two day process on the 4-5 July 2022. This will include a tour of both centres, joining a group on the activity programme and talking to current Trainee Instructors about their experience. Start dates for contracts may vary but ideally we are looking for TI’s to move in on the 31st Aug 2022.
The Trainee Instructor Post- North Yorkshire Outdoor Learning Service
The post is primarily a training course during which the participant will learn about, and gain experience in, the work of a residential outdoor education centre. Trainee Instructors (TIs) shadow and second our highly trained, fully qualified and experienced staff. As experience and ability develop the responsibilities and opportunities will increase appropriately to the skills and experience of the trainee.
This is an excellent opportunity for those looking towards full time employment in Outdoor Education. A long term training placement in a centre is recognised in the outdoor industry as the best way to achieve training, qualifications and experience. The opportunities presented with the North Yorkshire Outdoor Learning Service (NYOLS) offer the potential for participants to gain this experience as part of broadly qualified team in high quality, busy and varied Outdoor Education Centres.
Background
NYOLS is part of North Yorkshire County Council and has two centres, Bewerley Park Centre near Pateley Bridge and East Barnby Centre near Whitby. The majority of the delivery at both centres is week day residential courses for primary and secondary children. The centres also deliver weekend courses, including most leading National Governing Body awards.
We offer the opportunity to gain experience from working with our team of enthusiastic, well qualified and very experienced teaching staff and cover a wide variety of outdoor activities and environmental studies.
Trainee instructors (TIs) have the opportunity to develop their skills and work towards NGB awards in a supportive environment. As TIs gain experience and qualifications they can progress to leading sessions under supervision and ultimately take responsibility for groups on activities for which they had gained authorisation.
Person specification
The person appointed will not need a full range of outdoor skills, although some experience would be useful. The personality and ability to get on well with all manner of people is essential. Reliability, commitment, enthusiasm and a willingness to participate fully in both the activities and the more mundane aspects of centre work are the attributes that we are looking for. The Outdoor Learning service motto is ‘Motivational Learning in Inspirational Environments’, so a commitment to high quality courses and safety standards and supporting this philosophy will be expected of all TIs
Remuneration
The TIs take home wage will be around £400 per month. The role includes board, lodgings and training including any specialist NGB training and assessment courses attended. TIs also have the use of centre equipment and access to staff expertise and are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment and a uniform.
All the NYOLS teaching staff (including TIs) work 212 days a year to fit in with the needs of the centres and will include evening and weekend work.
Trainee instructors are encouraged to progress to gain the qualifications, experience and authorisations to lead sessions and take responsibility for groups. Once you have gained experience and training in the centre systems, overnight sleep in duties can be undertaken which will gain remuneration.
Training
Training begins with an induction period during which TIs get to know the routines in the centre, are given some introductory personal skills training in each specific activity and the opportunity to familiarise themselves with some of the venues. The roles and responsibilities will be clearly set out and a formal induction procedure undertaken.
During the early part of the course the TI will shadow a variety of centre staff teaching each of the activities. Later they will progress to acting in an assistant capacity, running activity sessions themselves under supervision and independently when appropriate, much like a student on teaching practise. Feedback and support will be given to the TI to maximise the individual’s professional development.
During the training period the participants have the opportunity to do many formal NGB training courses (and assessments depending on experience). These include:
First Aid
MT Mountain Leader, Hill and Moorland Leader or Lowland Leader (Walking)
MT Rock Climbing Instructor and Climbing Wall Instructor (Climbing)
RYA Powerboat level 2
RYA Level 1 and 2, Assistant Instructor or Dinghy Instructor (Sailing)
BC Level 1 or Level 2 coach (Kayak and Canoe)
NY Group Leader Training
BC level 1 or 2 (Mountain Biking)
BCA Local Cave Leader Level 1(Caving)
DVLA Minibus driving (* certain conditions apply)
Trainee instructors will be mentored throughout the process and be supported in developing and implementing professional action plans for gaining qualifications and developing their operational knowledge.
General Expectations
The TI will be treated as a professional colleague and will be expected to behave as such, especially towards visiting staff and students.
Once the post is accepted, a full year’s commitment is expected with the first month of working with groups being a probationary period. Those completing the course will receive career guidance and references as appropriate. Continued employment opportunities are often offered to Trainee instructors at one of the NYOLS centres, this is based on individual development and the delivery needs of the centre. This may include extending the Trainee post for a further year or other agreed period of time.
For an informal discussion regarding this vacancy contact Sally Ward on 01609 535083 or email sally.ward@northyorks.gov.uk
Job Description Tutor (Outdoor Learning.docx
***DBS***
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