Chief Instructor, Nethy Bridge

Chief Instructor | Abernethy, Nethy Bridge

Full time, permanent contract, live-in (where required)

Location: Abernethy, Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire. PH25 3ED

Start Date: August 2024

Due to an internal move, the position of Chief Instructor at our Nethy Bridge Centre has opened up. The person appointed into this position will have the opportunity to be mentored by our outgoing current Chief Instructor.

This is a fantastic opportunity to live and work in the Scottish Highlands, with easy access to the local area including the Cairngorm mountains, lochs and forests, the river Spey and the Moray coast.

As Chief Instructor you will develop and lead our team of instructors, oversee all aspects of the delivery of an exciting, safe and stretching and developmental adventures for our guests through our on-site and off-site activities, and be part of the Centre leadership team.  As a Christian, you will be a role-model for the instruction team and wider Centre staff, having a discipling and mentoring input into their lives.

Who we are

Founded in 1971, Abernethy is a ministry that combines outdoor activity, residential experience and Christian team witness. Our vision is: ‘Seeing Lives Transformed’.

The team as Abernethy are Christians, and together our mission is:

• Through the outdoors we provide challenge and adventure
• Through community we create belonging and see growth
• Through hospitality we nurture wellbeing
• Through witness we provoke curiosity
• In all things, we live the life to which Jesus has called us

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a committed Christian who is passionate about the connection between outdoor learning and the journey of the Christian faith. You will be overseeing the delivery of an excellent program of activities for our guests – excellent in terms of the fun, excellent in terms of safety, excellent in terms of the challenge, adventure, growth and development that our guests experience, and excellent in terms of being well planned and smooth running.

In addition to the required qualifications, you will have aptitude in planning and organising, people management experience, passion to see your team grow in their technical and instructional skills, and a heart to be getting alongside them to help disciple them in their Christian faith to make their time at Abernethy one that will be life changing.

Key roles

• A key part of the job will be to undertake administrative tasks such as supervising the planning of programmes and the deployment of staff, liaising as appropriate with group leaders, teachers or course members to ensure satisfaction and achievement. You will also participate in the activity programme by instructing, leading, co-ordinating and training both guests and instructors. You will also help with the supervision of the Centre and its guests and with delivery of spiritual, social and recreational programmes as required.
• Take a lead role in the planning development of new and existing activities to ensure continual growth of options for our guests.
• Oversee the development of various programmes offered by the Centre, including DofE programmes and our replacement for the John Muir Award.
• Ensure that evidence of current experience and competence in outdoor activities is recorded in an up-to-date logbook and oversee the keeping of logbooks by other instructors. You will also ensure professional and skills development and procedures are maintained and developed through further training, logged practical experience, attending courses, reading and reflection.
• Oversee and assist with the maintenance of outdoor education equipment and an outdoor equipment inventory and recommend appropriate outdoor activity purchases or replacements and place orders, all within the agreed budget.
• Ensure correct paperwork and records are kept for instructors qualifications and the maintenance and safety checking of equipment. You will ensure the correct reporting and recording of incidents, accidents and near misses, and advise appropriate actions to reduce risks and /or harm. You will keep up to date with orders, invoices and other admin.
• Be part of the Abernethy-wide Chief Instructors forum

Qualifications and Experience

• A mature and growing Christian faith
• Qualifications: Hold a minimum of 1 high and 3 core NGB awards relevant to the centre and is actively working towards other high level NGBs:
  • High Level NGBs:
    • MTUK Rock Climbing Development Instructor
    • BCAB Moderate Water Coach
    • MTUK Summer Mountain Leader
    • BC MTB Leader Level 3
    • BASI Level 2/ SSSL Level 2
    • RYA Senior Dinghy Instructor
  • Core NGBs:
    • MTUK Rock Climbing Instructor
    • BCAB Paddlesport Leader
    • MTUK Hill and Moorland Leader
    • BC MTB Leader Level 2
    • BASI Level 1
    • RYA Dinghy Instructor
  • People management experience
  • Experience of managing budgets

We would also love you to have

• One or more of the following qualifications: SSS Alpine L2, RCDI, Winter ML, MTBL L3, Paddlesports coach in a Moderate Water environment, RYA Dinghy SI, Duke of Edinburgh Assessor.
• D1 Qualification on your driving license
• Experience of managing a team

What we can offer you

• Monthly salary
• Full-board single accommodation provided, if required
• Paid annual leave (30 days per annum, inclusive of bank holidays)
• Use of Centre facilities including outdoor equipment.
• Opportunities to take an active role within the life of our local church and Christian youth work
• Living as part of a vibrant Christian community in a beautiful part of Scotland
• Opportunity for personal training and development
• Weekly Team Fellowship on a Wednesday evening
• Very favourable rates for family on most Abernethy holidays and camps
• Participation in our annual 3-day Team Gathering
• Easy access to the local area including the Cairngorm mountains, river Spey and the Moray coast – a fantastic outdoor playground!

Interested?

Please prayerfully consider whether this role may be right for you. For an informal chat about the role please contact the Centre Director, Stu Newland, on 01479 818004 during office hours. If you feel you are the person we are looking for, please complete the on-line application form.