Outdoor activities coordinator
Also known as: sports inclusion coordinator, senior outdoor instructor, activities coordinator, activities manager, outdoor activities manager, outdoor activities supervisor
About this occupation
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 role of an outdoor animation coordinator/supervisor is often “in the field”, but there may also be aspects of management and administration.
A specialisation of activity leader.
Essential skills and knowledge
- empathise with outdoor groups
- monitor use of outdoor equipment
- manage groups outdoors
- implement risk management for outdoors
- evaluate outdoor activities
- research outdoor activities
- structure information
- manage feedback
- manage outdoor resources
- react acordingly to unexpected events outdoors
- give feedback on changing circumstances
- plan self-organisation
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Recreational Therapists (O*NET 29-1125.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
- Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
- Plan, organize, direct, and participate in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients' rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community, and prevent further medical problems.
- Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
- Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
- Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Realistic
Top skills: Service Orientation, Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Reading Comprehension
US median pay: US$61,960 a year (2025), 14,930 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyExtremely important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.1)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyImportant (3.5)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Psychiatric Technicians
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapist Assistants
- Occupational Therapy Aides
- Physical Therapists
- Physical Therapist Aides
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Art Therapists
- Music Therapists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.