Senior Outdoor Instructor

The King’s Foundation

The King’s Foundation provides holistic solutions to challenges facing the world today. We champion a sustainable approach to how we live our lives and build our communities, we run a diverse programme of education and training for all ages and backgrounds, and we regenerate and care for places where communities thrive and that visitors enjoy.

We work nationally and internationally but at the heart of our organisation is the heritage-led regeneration of the Dumfries House estate and its wider community, where our principles and philosophies are explored and put into practice.

The work of The King’s Foundation is inspired by our Founder and President, His Majesty The King, and his philosophy of harmony: that by understanding the balance, the order and the relationships between ourselves and the natural world we can create a more sustainable future.

We have a diverse and inclusive workplace, creating a welcoming, safe space for everyone. This means that every member of our team can bring their whole self to work. We encourage qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply to and join The King’s Foundation and bring their valuable skills and experiences.

The Foundation is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees, including the provision of workplace adjustments.

We do not tolerate discrimination based on protected characteristics (age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership) or other difference such as socio-economic background or social origin.

The Role:

The post holder will assist on the development, implementation and delivery of high-quality educational experiences including school workshops, short courses, teacher training programmes and public events related to Adventure and Nature Based Outdoor Education.

Our Adventurous and Nature Based offering is currently delivered from The Tamar Manoukian Outdoor Residential Centre on Dumfries House Estate through practical hands-on workshops and events, targeted predominantly at primary and secondary school aged learners. Our offering is being expanded through the Tamar Manoukian Sports Hall. Both centres, alongside our extensive estate grounds, provide workshops that focus on harmony with nature, physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing and opportunity for personal growth and development. The centre’s vision is to ensure there is an understanding between people and planet utilising the importance of green spaces. Due to the holistic nature of our education strategy, the post holder will have the opportunity to work with colleagues, on interdisciplinary programmes, from the wider education team including STEM, Food and Horticulture, Farming and Rural Skills, Hospitality, Textiles and Building Crafts.

Key Tasks:

Supporting the Education Manager to ensure the smooth delivery of the King’s Foundation’s education strategy and core TMOC programmes by:

• Delivering Adventurous and Nature Based workshops and activities to a variety of age groups and abilities.
• Designing and evaluating workshops and activities that are in line with the aims and vision of the curriculum area.
• Keeping up to date with current practices and policies in outdoor education and industry, through networking, CPD and personal development.
• Assisting with compiling evidence for annual reports and newsletters for directors, funders and partners.
• Seeking opportunities to build and maintain relationships with industry partners.

Supporting the Education Manager to maintain the education facilities, staff and equipment by:

• Preparing, and maintaining equipment and facilities to a high standard prior to and following education activity, monitoring and requesting stock as appropriate.
• Supporting the Education Manager to ensure the maintenance of the TMOC building is completed, informing relevant King’s Foundation staff when maintenance is required.
• Carrying out, and reviewing risk assessments for TMOC education activities, following procedures for first aid and incident reporting.
• Assisting with mentoring and training fellow instructor team, demonstrating best practice.

Contributing to the overall education aims of The King’s Foundation by:

• Furthering the wider education work of The King’s Foundation through contribution to team meetings, joint education activity and events and cross curricular CPD sessions.
• Maintaining familiarity with The King’s Foundation handbook and relevant HR procedures.
• Undertaking any other duties as may reasonably be required of you in the post.

It is in the nature of the work of the King's Foundation that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances, unpredictable and varied. All staff are therefore expected to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises that tasks which are not specifically covered in their Job Description must be undertaken.

Person Specification:

Essential Experience and knowledge:

• Minimum three years’ experience working with young people in special education.
• Hold a range of National Governing Body qualifications in Archery, Climbing, Forestry School, Experience in wilderness activities, Bushcraft Award.

Essential Qualities:

• Able to represent the King’s Foundation professionally at all times.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work proactively and flexibly to achieve set objectives.
• The ability to work well within a team, maintaining positive relationships with the wider education staff.

Desirable experience, knowledge and qualities are:

• Ensure all outdoor learning activities are compliant with AALA licensing policies and procedure, carrying out daily dynamic risk assessments to ensure the safety of all activities.
• Demonstratable understanding of the value of outdoor learning and associated outcomes.
• Comprehensive understanding and extensive experience in the use of high-quality outdoor learning in a range of settings and experience working with groups with a range of different needs.
• Enthusiastic and passionate about nature and the outdoors.
• Experience of planning and implementation of resources and programmes.
• Plan, deliver and review suitable outdoor activity sessions for groups and individuals.

Other:

• The post will be based at Dumfries House, Cumnock Ayrshire. Some travel within the UK may be necessary.
• This post is based on a full time 37.5-hour week linked to the target audience needs.
• Willingness to work occasional weekends or evenings as required for education or wider estate events, with a TOIL system in place.
• You must have the legal right to work in the UK.
• This post is considered to be a regulated activity therefore any offer will be subject to a satisfactory disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Service or PVG.
• Salary - Commensurate with role and experience