For outdoor professionals, Portland offers a stunning environment to live and work.
The Jurassic Coastline offers a lifetime of climbing opportunities, and the sea is perfect for kayaking, swimming and diving. We have a small permanent staff team which is bolstered by a seasonal staff team. This seasonal team is recruited between September and December each year for the following season.
As well as our full time team we regularly use experienced and qualified freelance staff to support our work, many of whom have been working with us for multiple years.
Given the nature of the environments we work in we need staff who have a breadth and depth of experience as well as appropriate qualifications. We also need staff who model our hospitable approach ensuring that our customers are looked after for the duration of their stay not just on activities.
2026 Positions
Seasonal Outdoor Activity Instructors
We are looking for experienced, enthusiastic and hardworking Outdoor Instructors to join our 2026 team.
Portland Outdoor Centre is looking for experienced, passionate, and hardworking Outdoor Instructors to join the 2026 team.
Portland Outdoor Centre is a small residential outdoor education centre located on the Isle of Portland, near Weymouth, on the south coast of sunny Dorset. Offering a variety of outdoor activities that take full advantage of the surrounding countryside, from the vast Chesil Beach to the cliff edges of Portland Bill. All our activities take place off-site ensuring our groups experience real environments with the time to immerse themselves in the landscape and the activities.
We offer residential stays for children and adults at our converted hotel centre, overlooking Portland Harbour. Sleeping up to 70 we are small enough to ensure high-quality experiences and hospitality for all our groups; be it multi activity school programmes, adult groups or DofE Gold Residential programmes. Our small close-knit team values the importance of engaging outdoor experiences and takes pride in delivering high quality activities, which leave young people with memories that last a lifetime.
Activities we offer include; Coasteering, Climbing and Abseiling, Costal Bushcraft and Watersports in Portland Harbour including journeys in our striking Big Canoes, a unique experience for many. Thorough training is provided to enable you to deliver to our high standard.
Portland Outdoor Centre has two sister centres; New Forest Outdoor Centre and Brenscombe Outdoor Centre. You will have the opportunity to visit each centre and use their facilities. Each centre has its own character and feel with its own variety of activities and clientele. Although predominantly based at Portland the opportunity to work at the other sites during the season only provides more opportunity to broaden and develop your skill set.
At Portland, Instructors can expect to really use their awards while developing skills and experience. A normal week will involve Coasteering at Portland Bill, running Climbing sessions at one of our numerous local venues and delivering a selection of Water-sports from Portland Harbour. Portland Outdoor Centre offers a genuine opportunity to progress as an instructor. We have a highly motivated, active and professional team. If you like the idea of an afterwork Climb, Boulder, Dive or Coasteer you’ll fit right in.
£25,396 - £27,497 per annum pro rata (Increase due in April 2026)
April until September/October 2026
In return for your hard work, we offer:
Monthly salary + paid holiday
If required; Affordable accommodation in a 5 bed townhouse set in a beautiful location 10 minute walk from our site
Funding and support for personal training and development, including CPD training days
Opportunity to obtain the ERCA Traditional High Ropes Instructor qualification
A busy and exciting working atmosphere with plenty of opportunity to develop your skills
Predominantly Monday to Friday working through school term time
Access to facilities across the organisation including a bunkhouse in North Wales
Qualities we are looking for:
A strong work ethic
Team player
Enthusiastic about the outdoors
Desire to progress and develop your own skills and qualifications
Essential qualifications:
16-hour First Aid certificate
Prior experience working with young people
BC Paddlesport Instructor or UKCC level one Paddlesport Instructor
Desirable qualifications/skills:
RCI training +/or NCC Training
RCI qualified +/or NCC Qualified
Higher level watersports qualifications; eg Paddlesport Leader Award
ERCA Ropes Course Instructor
Archery GB/GNAS
NRSA Rifle Shooting
Lowland Leader Award or above
RYA Powerboat Level 2
Bushcraft experience
Portland Outdoor Centre is an equal opportunities employer and we are eagerly seeking applications from all sectors of society.
If you want to be part of a team delivering high quality experiences in real environments then please apply!
Every group is unique and we tailor our activity programmes to suit your needs and what you’d like to get out of your experience with us. It all starts with a conversation, so please call or send us a message.