Specialised outdoor animator
Also known as: special needs outdoor instructor, paragliding instructor, outdoor education specialist, scuba diving instructor, skydiving instructor, outdoor instructor for disabled people
About this occupation
Specialised outdoor animators plan, organise, and safely deliver outdoor animator activities. They may also support one or more assistant outdoor animators, and be involved in aspects of administration, front office tasks and tasks related to activity base and equipment maintenance. They work with demanding clients, in terms of either their particular needs, abilities or disabilities or at the higher levels of skill and hazardous environments or conditions. The workplace of a specialised outdoor animator is mostly “in the field” and with the participants/clients, but, in some specific situations/activities, it can also be indoors.
A specialisation of outdoor animator.
Essential skills and knowledge
- evaluate outdoor activities
- structure information
- research outdoor activities
- monitor interventions in the outdoors
- react acordingly to unexpected events outdoors
- manage feedback
- plan self-organisation
- manage groups outdoors
- assess risk in the outdoors
- implement risk management for outdoors
- communicate in an outdoor setting
- monitor use of outdoor equipment
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Self-Enrichment Teachers (O*NET 25-3021.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Prepare students for further development by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by administrative policy.
- Monitor students' performance to make suggestions for improvement and to ensure that they satisfy course standards, training requirements, and objectives.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Artistic, Enterprising
Top skills: Speaking, Active Listening, Learning Strategies, Instructing, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$46,800 a year (2025), 332,110 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).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.3)
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 Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
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.
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- Tutors
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
- Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
- Teaching Assistants, Special Education
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.