Development Officer - Bangholm Outdoor Centre

The City of Edinburgh Council's Outdoor Learning and Adventure Education (OL&AE) Service delivers safe, high-quality outdoor experiences for children and young people across Edinburgh and beyond. The service operates across three outdoor centres and has wide-ranging responsibilities for safety, quality assurance and both on-site and residential provision.

About The Role

Under the management of the Bangholm Operations Manager, you will coordinate and develop Direct Delivery programmes across Edinburgh based OL&AE centres. The role combines operational leadership with programme development. It also carries safeguarding responsibility and oversight of quality.

• Lead the coordination of Direct Delivery programmes, ensuring high standards of safety, inclusion and impact.
• Develop and refine programme content in response to strategic priorities and emerging needs.
• Lead and coordinate instructor recruitment, induction, deployment and ongoing professional development.
• Support and motivate instructor teams, maintaining clear standards and professional expectations.
• Act as a named Child Protection contact (CP4 trained) for programmes, working within GIRFEC principles and Council policy.
• Ensure appropriate information is gathered and shared to meet the needs of children and young people, including those requiring reasonable adjustments.
• Liaise with schools, partners and site users to ensure effective communication and smooth programme delivery.
• Manage equipment, stores and safety documentation in line with OL&AE safety management systems.
• Support the review, development and practical application of OL&AE safety management guidance, including standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
• Contribute to review and evaluation processes to strengthen and sustain provision over time.
• Operate within allocated budgets and apply Council procurement guidance.
• Deliver on programme where required, maintaining visibility and credibility within the instructor team.

Working pattern

This is a permanent position with hours annualised across the year. The work pattern is based on business needs and balances delivery with development priorities. Pattern broadly aligns to 26 weeks at 4 days per week (mid-April to mid-October) and 26 weeks at 1 day per week. Overall hours equate to 0.5 FTE/ 18 hours across the year. The post holder's allocated work office is Bangholm Outdoor Centre, Edinburgh, with a significant amount of time spent at Bonaly Outdoor Centre and potentially other city-based venues. The role involves working outdoors and occasionally in remote locations. Suitable and sufficient PPE and support will be provided.

Who we are looking for

You will have recent and relevant experience in Outdoor Learning and Adventure Education, including work with children and young people, and experience of creating and delivering safe, well-structured outdoor activity programmes.

You Will Demonstrate The Ability To:

• Coordinate and motivate instructor teams.
• Apply offsite visits employer guidance and safety management systems in practice.
• Exercise sound judgement in safeguarding and child protection matters.
• Build positive working relationships with schools, partners and Council colleagues.
• Respond constructively to changing strategic priorities and service needs.
• Work effectively within agreed budgets and Council procedures.
• Use Microsoft 365 applications, including Teams, Word and Excel, to support programme coordination and reporting.

This post is regulated work with children and/or protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. An unconditional offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued and able to be their best. We particularly encourage applications from women for senior roles, as well as people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities or neurodivergent people, care experienced people, carers and LGBT+ people across all levels of the organisation, all of whom are currently underrepresented. All applicants will be considered fairly based on skills and experience. Disabled and care-experienced applicants who meet the minimum job criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

As part of our goal to improve organisational culture and create a great place to work together for the people of Edinburgh, we want to make sure we're recruiting the best people. We're interested not only in your skills and experience but also in your approach to work. Therefore, part of our interview process will be an assessment of how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working.

The City of Edinburgh Council's salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and annually increases until it reaches the top of the range. Happy to talk flexible working.