Casual Outdoor Education Instructor
About the role
About
Help young people build resilience, confidence and character through powerful outdoor experiences.
The Kokoda Youth Foundation (KYF) is seeking passionate Casual Outdoor Education Instructors to join our team delivering experiential learning programs at Camp Kokoda and Kokoda Park.
Through outdoor challenges, community living, and adventure-based learning, our programs help young people develop leadership, teamwork, resilience and self-awareness—guided by the Spirit of Kokoda: Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice.
If you enjoy working with young people, thrive in outdoor environments, and believe challenge can inspire growth, we'd love to hear from you.
Why This Role Matters
As an Outdoor Education Instructor, you help create experiences that shape how young people see themselves and their potential.
You'll guide participants through outdoor challenges that encourage them to show courage when facing difficulty, endurance when things are tough, mateship when supporting others, and sacrifice when putting the team first.
Your leadership helps ensure every participant feels safe, supported, and capable of achieving more than they thought possible.
Key Responsibilities
Program Facilitation
Facilitate adventure-based activities such as high ropes, low ropes, giant swing, abseiling, archery, initiatives, canoeing and expeditions
Deliver programs using challenge-by-choice experiential learning approaches
Support participants to develop leadership, teamwork, resilience and self-awareness
Build strong rapport with students and teachers while maintaining professional boundaries
Embed the Spirit of Kokoda values in program delivery
Safety & Risk Management
Deliver all activities in line with safety operating procedures and risk management protocols
Maintain high levels of participant supervision and duty of care
Identify hazards, manage risks, and respond to incidents when required
Provide first aid, emergency response,



rescues or evacuations if needed
Camp Operations
Support campsite routines including meal planning, food preparation and supervision of cooking
Assist with equipment setup, pack down and storage
Complete program documentation and operational tasks
Contribute to maintaining safe and welcoming program environments
Facilities & Operational Support
Assist with basic maintenance tasks such as site upkeep and equipment care
Report damaged equipment or safety concerns
Support the overall presentation and functioning of Camp Kokoda
What Success Looks Like
Successful instructors:
Deliver safe, engaging and challenging outdoor programs
Build strong rapport with participants and teaching staff
Create environments where teamwork, inclusion and mutual support thrive
Demonstrate calm leadership in dynamic outdoor environments
Uphold high standards of professionalism and safety
Consistently model the values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice
About You
You're someone who believes outdoor experiences can transform how young people think, lead and grow.
You bring:
Experience working in
outdoor education, camps, youth development or experiential learning
Strong
group facilitation and communication skills
The ability to lead groups in
remote outdoor environments
A collaborative mindset and positive attitude
High levels of
personal responsibility, preparation and professionalism
A strong commitment to
child safety and duty of care
Desirable
Qualifications in Outdoor Recreation, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Leadership or similar




Experience delivering multi-day residential programs
Activity-specific qualifications (ropes, paddling, bushwalking etc.)
Essential Requirements
Wilderness / Remote First Aid and CPR
Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
National Police Check
Valid driver's licence
Physical capacity to participate in outdoor and ropes activities
Child Safety & Wellbeing
The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is our highest priority.
KYF maintains a zero-tolerance approach to harm, abuse, neglect, discrimination and exploitation. All staff are required to:
Demonstrate child-safe behaviours and maintain professional boundaries
Act in the best interests of young people at all times
Recognise and report risks, concerns, or disclosures
Follow safeguarding policies and mandatory reporting obligations
Contribute to a culture where children feel safe, respected and heard
Child-secure conduct is a non-negotiable condition of employment.
Cultural Safety & Inclusion
We are committed to creating environments where all people feel safe, respected and included.
Our programs recognise and respect the cultural identity, voice and wellbeing of every participant.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
The Kokoda Youth Foundation strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.
We recognise the knowledge, leadership and connection to Country that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples bring to outdoor education and youth development. We are committed to culturally safe workplaces and welcome conversations about support and pathways within our organisation.
What We Offer
Meaningful work supporting the growth of young people
Opportunities to work in inspiring outdoor environments
A strong
values-driven team culture
Professional development and training opportunities
Flexible casual work across outdoor education programs
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Youth Support Officer – Ipswich (Queensland)
🏢 Kokoda Youth Foundation
📍 Queensland