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-safe 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
How to Apply
Apply via SEEK via the button below with:
- Your resume
- A brief cover letter outlining your interest in outdoor education and youth development
- Relevant qualifications or certifications
