Outdoor Group and Activity Leader - (Summer, 12 month or Senior)

Picture a Year 9 student who swore she couldn't paddle, pulling her canoe up the bank on day three and asking when she can do it again. That moment is the job.

At Venture Outdoors Co., our guides lead school and youth groups through hiking, mountain biking, paddling and snow programs in the Snowy Mountains. You'll help young people step outside their comfort zones, work as a team and find out what they're capable of. The skills they take home – resilience, confidence, looking after each other and the environment – last a lot longer than the trip.

We're hiring Outdoor Education Guides for 2027, and you can choose how you join us: a Summer season, a full 12-month contract, or a 12-month Senior Guide role (opportunity for full-time permenant work). Same purpose, same team – pick the arrangement that suits your life and experience.

About Venture Outdoors Co.

Venture Outdoors Co. is an outdoor education company based in Jindabyne, NSW. We run centre-based and expedition-style programs for schools, young adults and youth groups, all built around one idea: giving young people life skills through outdoor experiences that stay with them.

We value adventure, put safety first and believe in human potential – our participants' and our team's. We're a close-knit crew of guides, activity leaders and site staff who back each other in the field and enjoy the mountains together off it.

About the role

You'll guide groups through their program from program welcome to program farewell and everything in between. Depending on your qualifications and experience, you'll either Group Lead (the primary facilitator of program aims, supported by activity specialists) or activity lead (delivering specialist activities alongside the group leader).

Summer (Term 1 & 2 onwards)

• Lead hiking, mountain biking, flat and moving water paddling, initiatives and team-building
• Run safety briefings, gear checks and hard-skills instruction, then facilitate the soft-skill reflection that makes it stick
• Check forecasts and plan contingencies with the Program Coordinator
• On expeditions and base camps: set up camp, run meals and stay with the group overnight
• For lodge-based groups: settle them in, brief safety procedures and sometimes run the dining hall and dietary requirements

Winter (12-month and Senior Guide contracts)

Winter work is split across three areas, allocated by your skills and qualifications:

• Backcountry guiding – lead ski and snowshoe day trips and expeditions (pending qualifications and experience)
• Group hosting – run the day for school snow trips: briefings, morning logistics, lesson groups with resort instructors and on-call support
• Snowsports hire – fit-outs, DIN settings, waxing, repairs and keeping the hire shop running

What success looks like

• Every participant goes home safe, having had a great time and learnt something about themselves
• Programs run to schedule, and teachers feel their goals for the trip were met
• You communicate changes early with the team, other departments and external providers
• You uphold our field safety standards and child safe practices, every day

About you

You love being outdoors, but you love watching someone else get it even more. You stay calm when the weather turns, you can read a group, and you're as comfortable debriefing a team challenge as you are running a river crossing.

Essential (all options)

• Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership or equivalent
• Current First Aid and CPR certificates
• NSW Working with Children Check (or the ability to get one before you start)
• Current Australian driver licence
• Activity qualifications
• Experience guiding groups in the outdoors
• Strong communication skills and a genuine team player

Desirable

• Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership
• Wilderness or Remote Area First Aid
• Swift Water Rescue or other water rescue qualification
• Experience delivering school-based outdoor education programs
• For winter: backcountry ski or snowshoe experience, group hosting or snowsports hire experience

Senior Guide – we'll also be looking for

• Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership

• Strong technical skills across bushwalking, paddling, mountain biking and snow sports
• Experience coaching, mentoring or supervising other guides

Why join us

• Above-award pay that recognises your skills and commitment
• Choose your contract – a summer season or a full year, as a Guide or Senior Guide
• Staff accommodation available in Jindabyne, subject to availability
• Discounted Perisher Season Pass for 12-month and Senior Guide staff
• Pro deals on outdoor gear and equipment
• Year-round variety – summer field programs and winter snow roles in one contract
• Grow your career – work across group leading and activity leading, and learn from experienced Senior Guides
• Live where you play – Kosciuszko National Park, lakes and rivers on your doorstep

Ready to join us for 2027?

If you want your work to matter and your days off to be in the mountains, we'd love to hear from you.

Click Apply and send us:

• Your resume
• Your outdoor activities logbook
• A short cover note telling us which contract option interests you (or if you're open to more than one) and if you will require staff accommodation

We'll be interviewing as applications come in, so don't wait.