Now recruiting for 2007 season starting 5th March 2007

Vacancies for Instructors - March until October 2007

Vacancies for Trainee Instructors - March until October 2007

Vacancies for Summer Instructors - June & July until September/October 2007

Working at Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre (H.O.A.C.)

The Centre

HOAC, a registered youth educational charity, is situated in the heart of London’s green belt. It is a rural outdoor centre in an idyllic setting of lake and woodland. However it has superb links to the road network with the M40 just a mile away and is within the M25 which  gives the centre a large catchment area of local schools and groups.

HOAC is a non-residential centre although it does offer a campsite for self-supporting groups. The campsite is often busy at weekends with local scout and guide groups as well as being utilised by universities and school groups.

We offer programmes to a wide range of students from 7yr olds through to university groups. It is popular with CCF and RAF group and local Scout and Guide units. Companies use the centre as a team building or corporate day out. HOAC has a large sailing club and public opening times for general hire and public courses. The centre also offers many public courses following RYA and BCU syllabuses during weekends and over the summer holidays. 

The Staff

HOAC has a team of 5 full time staff.

8-10 full seasonal positions from March to October

5-6 short contracts (university summer to 5 weeks of summer holidays)

30+ local instructors working on casual part-time contracts

A host of volunteers assisting in centre maintenance, centre development and special programs.

We are looking for instructors and trainee instructors to join to our team for 2007.

Where will I Live

The majority of instructors that work the season at HOAC opt for our on-site caravan accommodation. This consists of 10 bedrooms shared between 3 static vans with 2 lounges, 3 kitchens and 3 toilets/shower rooms. The accommodation provides all the essentials for instructors to live for the season.

Each van is provided with cooking implements, cutlery and crockery.

Residents provide their own bedding.

How much does it cost?

The cost of the accommodation is £15 per week, with an extra £10 p.w. taken as a deposit to secure against breakages or poor cleanliness. It is returnable at the end of residency.

Can I move in early?

The majority of contracts start on a Monday – instructors are able to take up residence from the Saturday before they start on the Monday. 

What training will I get?

At the beginning of the season new instructors are trained on the High Ropes and Climbing course and all of the team building activities. Other activities such as Archery, Low Ropes, RYA Safetyboat, Raft Building, Dragonboating will be covered as appropriate.  

I am a budding Sailor/Windsurfer/Kayaker but have no qualifications will HOAC help me become an instructor?

.HOAC’s team of instructors have a wealth of knowledge between them, and they are often willing to use the centre’s facilities on their evenings off to help new keen watersports enthusiasts. If an instructor show’s the enthusiasm and drive they can quickly get themselves experienced enough to attend and pass an instructor course.  

How much will I get paid?

The table below details HOAC’s pay structure. All instructors get paid monthly at the end of each month – by cheque or by electronic transfer.

Salary scale for seasonal instructors (per week )

Definitions

Very exceptional experience: At the discretion of the Centre Principal. Will be dependant on further qualifications and relevant experience.

Returning Staff: Staff who have previously completed a seasonal contract (min 3 months) are entitled to this bonus increment if they return to work following season(s). (i.e. £5 for returning for 2^nd season, £10 for 3^rd season etc.)

Terminal Bonus: Paid for full weeks only i.e. if you have worked all your shifts without time off for any purpose other than pre -authorised annual leave.

How many hours do I have to work?

A normal week at HOAC is 9am through to 5pm. At weekends the centre operates from 10am-5pm. Instructors work a 6 day week. In the summer (May-August) there may be evening work. In which case – there will be an entitlement of two days off.

Below is a sample two week time table for an instructor.

Over the season a weeks work averages out to be 40 hours – however this maybe more during the busy summer months (although it doesn’t exceed 48 hours).

Will I work "on-call" night-time work?

No! We do have a campsite which some groups use (guides, scouts etc) however this is run on a completely self-sufficient basis, with groups having their own first aiders etc.

Can I work overtime?

HOAC does offer some overtime during the summer months – however this is limited to a few extra sessions a week to try to stop our instructors working too hard!! Instructors will be paid overtime (currently £31 per session). This is paid a month in arrears with your normal pay. Overtime is entirely voluntary.

Will I have any leave?

Leave accrues at 2 days per full month worked. Over a season this can add up to a long holiday. Leave is granted to fit in with centre requirements and is unlikely to be given during the summer holiday period.

What will I be expected to do as an Instructor?

As well as instructing, a HOAC instructor works in a team environment to help ensure that everything runs smoothly. This may involve site work, equipment repair or building new activities. Although HOAC employs dedicated cleaners, instructors may on occasion be asked to help out. However instructing takes up the main part of the season.

I haven't got any relevant qualifications can I still work for you?

Yes we take on trainee instructors each season. During the season you will get training towards NGB qualification like BCU 1* & 2*, RYA Sailing Level 1 & 2, RYA Safety Boat, RYA Start Windsurfing. These courses are the first steps to becoming a watersports instructor. Training will also be provided for our site specific team building activities and our climbing and high ropes facility. In exchange for this training you will be expected to take responsibility for the centre cleaning. This usually takes 1-2hrs and the rest of the day will be spend instructing (once qualified) or doing site work with the rest of the team. 

What else is in the area?

HOAC is situated in the Green belt. However London with all of its attractions, museums and nightlife is only a short tube ride away.

Climbing – Brunel Climbing wall, Westway Climbing Centre and Amersham Wall are all very close

Kayaking – a variety of weirs (Chertsey, Hurley, Shepperton) are all close to HOAC.

Sailing/Windsurfing – apart from our own lake – Queen Mary/Datchet are all close

Uxbridge – hosts plenty of shops, pubs, restaurants, cinema, etc.

I'm Interested what do I do now?

Send a CV and covering letter to Neil Maddock at;

By mail

HOAC

Dews Lane

Harvil Road

Harefield

Middlesex

UB9 6JN

By email

neil@hoac.net

By Fax

01895 824171

If your application is successful we will contact you to invite you in for an interview.

Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre - 01895-824171 - admin@hoac.net. Page updated: 21/11/2006