Outdoor activities coordinator

Outdoor activities coordinators organise and manage work programmes and resources (especially staff) to deliver the organisation’s products and services. They supervise and manage staff. They might train and develop the staff, or the planning and management of this process through others. They are highly aware of their responsibilities towards clients, technical issues, environmental issues, and safety issues.

The duties of an outdoor activities coordinator typically include, but are not limited to:

• Planning and coordinating outdoor recreational activities, events, and programs for individuals or groups.
• Ensuring the safety of all participants by implementing safety procedures and protocols.
• Providing instruction and guidance to participants on outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and canoeing.
• Preparing equipment and supplies needed for outdoor activities and ensuring their proper maintenance.
• Evaluating the success of programs and making necessary adjustments to improve future programs.
• Hiring, training, and supervising staff members as needed.
• Maintaining accurate records of program participation and budget expenditures.
• Communicating with participants, parents, and other stakeholders to provide program updates and address concerns.

The following job titles also refer to outdoor activities coordinator:

sports inclusion coordinator
activities coordinator
outdoor activities supervisor
senior outdoor instructor
outdoor activities manager
activities manager

To become an outdoor activities coordinator, a bachelor’s degree in recreation, physical education, or related fields is often required. Many programs also require certification in first aid, CPR, and lifeguarding. Relevant work experience, such as camp counselor or lifeguard, is also beneficial. Outdoor activities coordinators must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be able to lead groups, and have knowledge of various outdoor activities and safety procedures. They must also have strong organizational skills and be able to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Outdoor activities coordinator is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to outdoor activities coordinator.

assistant outdoor animator
outdoor animator
specialised outdoor animator
activity leader
mountain guide

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of outdoor activities coordinator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of outdoor activities coordinator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

legislative drafter
circus artist
radio producer
child care coordinator
conservator

These skills are necessary for the role of outdoor activities coordinator.

• Empathise with outdoor groups: Identify the outdoor activities permitted or suited in an outdoor setting based on the group’s needs.
• Manage feedback: Provide feedback to others. Evaluate and respond constructively and professionally to critical communication from colleagues and customers.
• Manage groups outdoors: Conduct outdoor sessions in a dynamic and active way
• Evaluate outdoor activities: Identify and report problems and incidents according to outdoor programme safety national and local regulations.
• Research outdoor activities: Describe and interpret the culture, history, natural and geography of the working place. Describe and interpret international designations such as specific areas of conservation. Identify and locate information about activity equipment.
• Assess risk in the outdoors: Elaborate and accomplish risk analysis.
• React accordingly to unexpected events outdoors: Detect and respond to the environment changing conditions and their effect on human psychology and behaviour.
• Animate in the outdoors: Independently animate groups in the outdoors, adapting your practice to keep the group animated and motivated.
• Communicate in an outdoor setting: Communicate with participants in more than one language of the European Union; handle a crisis following guidelines and recognise the importance of proper behaviour in crisis situations.
• Monitor use of outdoor equipment: Monitor the use of equipment. Recognise and remedy inadequate or unsafe use of equipment.
• Manage outdoor resources: Recognise and relate meteorology to topography; apply the principal of ‘Leave no trace’.
• Structure information: Organise information using systematic methods such as mental models and according to given standards in order to facilitate user information processing and understanding with respect to the specific requirements and characteristics of the output media.
• Implement risk management for outdoors: Devise and demonstrate the application of responsible and safe practices for the outdoor sector.
• Monitor interventions in the outdoors: Monitor, demonstrate and explain the use of equipment according to the operational guidelines issued by manufacturers.
• Give feedback on changing circumstances: Respond appropriately to changing circumstances in an activity session.
• Plan self-organisation: Identify the necessary tasks and prioritise them in order to develop an individual schedule and perform the work in an autonomous way, ensuring that the requirements are met.

3423 – Fitness and recreation instructors and program leaders

---

References

1. Outdoor activities coordinator – ESCO
2. Recreation Workers : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Featured image: Image by stokpic from Pixabay