Outdoor Education Expedition Coordinator - Arcadia Sydney

Pymble Ladies’ College is a school of the Uniting Church in Australia for girls Kindergarten to Year 12 with boarding from Year 7. At Pymble, we foster a world-class educational environment with the importance of global citizenship and a worldwide perspective central to our strategic intent.  

We believe our staff, both teaching and non-teaching, are our most valuable resource. We are proud to have passionate and dedicated staff who recognise the unique strengths and qualities of every Pymble girl. 

The role

The Pymble Outdoor Education Continuum is a life-changing journey throughout years K-12 that empowers girls to be courageous and to approach new challenges with optimism and excitement. The key focus areas of the Continuum include personal growth, connection to peers, life skills, leadership, and environmental stewardship.

The Outdoor Education Program at Pymble encompasses a range of activities, programs and events with a fundamental focus on personal development, connections with peers, staff and the environment. Building resilience, problem solving methodology and collaboration skills are key. Outdoor Education staff work across planning, preparation of programs and facilitating on programs in a range of locations. Programs are delivered for students at Pymble, the Vision Valley Campus in Arcadia, and other locations in NSW, interstate and overseas. 

In conjunction with the Head of Outdoor Education, the Outdoor Education Expedition Coordinator supports in the planning and in-field coordination of programs included in the College’s Outdoor Education continuum. 

In Years K-2 the Program consists primarily of Nature Play, encouraging girls to get outside and become comfortable in their natural environment. In Year 3, girls embark on their first overnight trip to the Vision Valley campus.

During Years 3, 5 and 7, girls complete multiday experiences based at Vision Valley. These experiences are designed to continue developing comfort and competence in the outdoors while providing a range of fun and challenging activities.

During Years 4, 6 and 8, girls travel to various locations around NSW and continue their progression through the continuum.

Year 9 Outdoor Education is heavily tied to the College’s recently introduced Residential Program, based at Vision Valley. The Expedition Coordinator will develop, oversee and review expeditions as a part of this program.

Year 11 and 12 Outdoor Education consists of the nascent ‘Adventure Extensions’ program, which offers optional and highly specialised opportunities to girls who have qualified to attend. These opportunities will tend to be marquee trips to key destinations domestically and abroad. 

It is expected that the Expedition Coordinator will attend these trips from time to time to understand and review their structure and will be the emergency on-call member of staff when the Head of Outdoor Education is on leave.

The Pymble Outdoor Education Continuum continues to evolve to meet the needs of the College. The Expedition Coordinator will be expected to bring a wide variety of experience to the role, along with a strong sense of innovation to assist the continued maturation of the entire continuum.

The Expedition Coordinator will be required to support other Outdoor Education programs and events in a group leader or activity specialist capacity, around Outdoor Education commitments and as requested by the Head of Outdoor Education and Head of Campus – Vision Valley (or delegate).

This position at Pymble reports to the Head of Outdoor Education. The role is predominantly based at the Vision Valley campus with a significant field work component. From time to time, the Expedition Coordinator will be expected to work closely with the College’s sub-schools and associated offices. The College’s Outdoor Educators work across seven days of the week as required and have a set number of weekend events to facilitate during the year.

Click here for the position description. 

Our kind of team member

You will demonstrate the following attributes and capabilities:

• Proven experience in Outdoor Education including knowledge of best practice.
• Proven experience in planning and coordinating Outdoor Education expeditions in a school setting.
• Significant experience leading student expeditions.
• Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership as a minimum, with Diploma or Degree in Outdoor Education desirable.
• Wilderness Aid Certificate.
• Demonstrated instructional experience/qualifications in areas such as canoeing, kayaking, bushwalking, rock climbing, mountain biking, high ropes and low ropes.
• Lead by example and promote a healthy lifestyle approach to students.
• A working understanding of Risk Management and Work, Health and Safety in an outdoor environment.
• The ability to identify, support and lead improvement of an evolving program.
• Well-developed communication, time management and organisational skills.
• Effective people skills when liaising with the broader Vision Valley team, external service providers, parents, local residents and other stakeholders.
• Understand the importance of student health and wellbeing, balance in workloads and provide appropriate support where necessary.
• Activity specific qualifications in canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, cross country skiing desirable, not essential.
• Willingness to support and promote the ethos and values of the College.

Your kind of workplace

Pymble people are at the heart of what the College offers its students. That’s why every Teacher, Professional Services and Co-curricular staff member is valued for being the person they are, for the quality of their work, for their diverse contribution and for their wins – big and small. We express our appreciation in many ways, including through recognition programs, story sharing, celebrations, feedback, and competitive remuneration.

We treasure our caring, collegiate community, which Pymble people often refer to as the ‘Pymble family’. We also appreciate that our family is not the only one in the lives of Pymble people, so we ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to supporting work-life balance, providing family benefits and contributing to community connections.

Your kind of benefits

We are offering a competitive salary, plus super and a range of benefits, including:

• potential relocation assistance
• professional development
• freedom to influence and develop our programs
• work with and learn from a team of experienced Outdoor Educators
• discounted school fees (where applicable)
• a dedicated Staff Wellbeing team and regular social events
• access to Pymble Smart Spending, which is a retail discounts platform

We also provide a wide range of opportunities for Pymble people to grow personally and professionally through growth strategies, ongoing training and professional development, access to technology and resources, and health and wellbeing opportunities.

Our kind of process

To learn more about this position, the calibre of person we are seeking to appoint, what makes Pymble an excellent place to work and continue your journey of professional growth - please submit your application online.

Applications for this opportunity will close on Friday 12th April, 2024. Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may occur prior to the closing date.

Successful candidates must provide a paid Working with Children Check prior to engagement.

Pymble Ladies’ College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a workforce which represents the diverse society in which we live. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

We acknowledge the Durramurragal as the traditional custodians of the land on which our College is built. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future recognising the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.