Bushcraft jobs - how to become a wilderness bushcraft instructor...

Bushcraft Job Opportunities

"...leaders are neither born nor made - they grow." - Mary Cox.

There are currently no job vacancies available.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Woodsmoke instructor. Below is some infomation for those interested in applying for apprenticeship, assistant and instructional positions within We are not currently interveiwing, but if you would like to submit an application it will be held on file.

Working for Woodsmoke would allow you to join a small dynamic team of outdoor professionals, to teach the age-old methods of wilderness bushcraft, to refine and polish your existing skills, learn advanced bushcraft techniques, and gain further qualifications.

The following sections explain a little about what the job entails, the attributes we expect you to have, and some of the duties that you will have to perform – as your role will fluctuate from lecturer to listener and from the profound to the mundane - constantly.

Good wilderness survival instructors are, on any one day - managers, performers, counselors, lecturers, laborers, and first aiders.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Work Period

Our instructors work for approximately six or seven months each year, and usually have other part-time jobs to provide them with an income whilst not working. Our uk season is from Mid-April to Mid-October.

Attributes

There are no nationally recognized qualifications required to teach bushcraft, but there are a number of very desirable attributes; some of which are listed below -

A genuine passion for bushcraft and nature: We love what we do, and we are looking for people who have an infectious enthuasiam and will love the challenges and rewards of teaching wilderness living skills.
Observing and listening: A good instructor must be a great listener. The only way to ascertain the character of your students is by communicating with them; and this means listening. You will also need to be a sensitive and insightful observer of people, with great instincts about the moods and interests of your students.
A good level of health and fitness: Instructing is hard work. Sometimes you might work ten days straight, and all days are longer than twelve hours. You are also constantly on the move and in all different weather conditions. You will need to be fit and healthy to survive a season of hard work, in challenging conditions.
Knowledge and skills: A proven interest in natural history is a prerequisite for the job. A desire to continually develop your skill base and knowledge of nature is essential. Your students will trust and respect you for your knowledge and skills.
Leadership: The ability, and personality, to lead and to get on well with people - we are looking for the kind of personal charisma that means that a diverse range of people will want to look to you for leadership.
To be trustworthy, truthful, and capable of establishing a rapport with people across a broad range of cultural, demographic and age categories. Integrity and loyalty to your fellow instructors will be paramount.
To be resourceful and organized, with a sense of responsibility - Instructing should look effortless. It’s an instructor’s job to ensure that the background work is done in advance of any lesson and also be behind the scenes throughout each practice period.
To be patient, articulate, energetic, positive, good humored, and have the ability to remain resolutely cheerful at all times.
To be a good communicator capable of moving from addressing a group on matters of bushcraft, to practical safety issues, to one on one discussion with group members on any relevant subject. The capacity to communicate effectively at group and individual level is of utmost importance.

Skills/background required

Ideally, you will have work or personal experience of leading groups outdoors, which would have required the kind of skills listed above.
Have a good existing skill base in wilderness bushcraft and associated outdoor skills, e.g. navigation, knots, safe use of cutting tools, etc.
Have a good knowledge of Britain’s fauna and flora.
All of the below certificates will be subsidized by Woodsmoke for successful applicants, where necessary -
To have a current recognized first aid qualification will be essential (although this can be obtained prior to commencement). Preferably with relevance to Expedition Medicine, although this is not essential (but you must be prepared to gain the ‘Wilderness Medical Training’ Advanced Medicine for Remote Foreign Travel certificate).
Have a full, clean, driving license. Some off-road driving experience is preferable, although this is not essential (but you must be prepared to gain the ‘Land Rover’ Level 1 certificate).
Preferably hold a ‘Summer Mountain Leader’ qualification, although this is not essential (but you must be prepared to gain the MLTE Summer Mountain Leader qualification).
Preferably hold a ‘basic food handling and hygiene’ certificate, although this is not essential (but you must be prepared to gain the qualification).

Duties

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students at all times, imparting practical information on health and safety issues when relevant, and to act as first aider for the group.
To deliver clear, interesting and informative briefings, lectures and demonstrations.
To ensure our students have the most enjoyable and informative experience possible, and assist them impartially, with any worries or difficulties they may experience during their time with us.
To be reassuring and confident, and to provide firm leadership, particularly during inclement weather, or in wild country.
To cater and cook for groups in a backwoods kitchen and to run a course to budget.
To work well with, and support fellow instructors, as well as course suppliers.
To pack, and clean, all equipment before and after a course.
To always be punctual, polite, professional, well turned out, and have your personal equipment in order at all times.

Apprentice / intern positions are unwaged. Those applying for the assistant instructor and course leader positions will receive an email on receipt of application and CV, to give a general idea of wages, however this will be discussed in more depth at the interview stage.

Food and accommodation are provided on the same basis as our students.

You will be working as part of a small team, for extended periods outdoors, and sometimes in poor weather or stressful situations, therefore, it is imperative that you gel with the existing team, and that the team gels with you. You will be expected to give 100% at all times. To ensure you will be suitable for the job, you will need to attend an interview and undergo a ‘selection’ program.

If you still think you are the right person, and are prepared to work on a service contract, offered on a self employment basis, for 24/7 whilst on courses, for up to seven months in any one year, with out-of-contract periods between courses .... then please read on and complete the downloadable application form at the bottom of this page and send it back to us, with a current CV, and recent photo.

The Application Procedure & Selection Process:

Application Stage

Generic applications, and CVs which do not refer to the required skills as described above, will not be considered.

Applications can be sent either electronically (photos in jpeg format) or by post.

Selection Weekends:

We currently have no selection weekends available. These weekends will run 'as and when', if your application is successful we will contact you regarding dates etc.

First Interview Stage

Successful applicants will be invited to a selection weekend at our teaching location near Windermere.

Initial Interviews will be immediately followed by the field ‘selection’ phase.

Field ‘Selection’ Stage

During the following two days you will undergo a ‘selection’ program, which will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of British natural history, your skills and fitness as a woods-person and rounded outdoors-person.

During this period you will be expected to be self sufficient, and to provide your own rations and cookware. Accommodation on both nights will be in the woods, so bring appropriate camping equipment, there will be no camping fee.

Your outfit should be suitable for both the woodland and mountain environment, as during one of the phases you will be hiking in the mountains and will be expected to carry your own equipment.

Final Interview Stage

Following the field stage, if you are successful, you will be invited back for a final interview and to ‘guest’ on a course (at a date that is mutually agreeable), where we will get to know you better, and begin the relevent training.

Downloadable Application Form Below -

Please note; This document is to be opened using Microsoft Word and not Works.
The font in this document should be set as 'Arial'.
Title size 24, text size 9.

Documents for download

job_application_form.doc (03/12/2005)