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= //**__ Outdoor Recreation Guide/ Instructor __**// =

__ What qualifications do you need? __
This qualification will take up to 10 months to complete.
 * //National Certificate in Outdoor Recreation (Leadership) (Level 3)// **

This qualification ensures people have the skills to independently lead groups in outdoor activities. It is designed for those leading, or intending to lead outdoor recreation activities for people at a beginner level in low risk environments. You will learn about:
 * Planning outdoor activities for groups
 * Interpreting weather conditions
 * Risk management in the outdoors
 * Leading groups in the outdoors.

Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements to become an outdoor recreation guide or instructor. However, employers prefer candidates who have:
 * qualifications registered through the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA) or the Sea Kayak Operators Association of New Zealand
 * a certificate in first aid or outdoor first aid.

You must also have a high level of skill and experience in the relevant outdoor activity. Outdoor recreation guides and instructors can also train on the job with approved employers and get a qualification through Skills Active.

**__ What training do you need? __**
// **Wilderness First Responder** // One certification that we require all of our instructors here at Outward Bound Costa Rica to have, regardless of their expertise or qualifications in other adventure activities, is the Wilderess First Responder (WFR) certification. WFR is a 72-80 hour certification course that teaches individuals how to react in emergency situations when a major medical facility is not within close proximity, especially outdoors. It is a necessary and useful credential for outdoor enthusiasts, industry professionals and those who are simply interested in knowing more about how to help others while in remote settings.

Whitewater Rescue Technician training is required for all individuals looking to become river professionals, such as raft guides or whitewater kayakers. This certification is essential for these outdoor professionals as it addresses all major aspects of water rescue and provides a standardization of training on topics including rescue techniques, training standards, operational policies, safety guidelines and professional rescue qualifications
 * //Becoming a River Guide: The Importance of Whitewater Rescue Technician Training// **

The objective of rescue training is to provide as many skills as possible to effectively perform a rescue with minimum risk and liability to those involved and in such a way that rescuers do not become victims themselves. Technical Ropes Rescue: Operations Level (TRR:OL) is just one subset of technical rescue that provides training for these professionals to perform rescues in various settings, including mountain wilderness terrain, urban or structural environments, cliffs, snow fields and caves.
 * //Training for Rescue Professionals: The Importance of Technical Ropes Rescue// **

= __** Sources **__ = [|http://costaricaoutwardbound.org/semester/leadership-semester/?gclid=CLSZ8cPmirkCFccTpAodglgAZA] [|http://www.careers.govt.nz/tools/careerquest/] [|http://www.skillsactive.org.nz/]

= __** Summary **__ = New outdoor recreation guides/instructors usually earn $28K-$43K per year Outdoor recreation guides/instructors with over three years' experience usually earn $46K-$58K per year Source: New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association and Mountain Education Centre New Zealand

[|How many people are doing this job?]
2012: 1,919 2011: 1,875 2010: 1,793 Source: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, '2003-2012 Occupation Data' (prepared for Careers New Zealand), 2012.

Average
Job opportunities for outdoor recreation guides and instructors are average and depend on your level of skill and experience, and seasonal demand.

= **__ Tasks and Duties __** = While specific duties and tasks may vary according to the specialisation, an outdoor recreation guide may perform the following tasks:
 * prepare for individual and group participation in outdoor adventure experiences
 * demonstrate and teach basic body movements and skills used
 * supervise basic outdoor activity skill practice sessions
 * assist in the supervision and control of individuals and groups involved in basic outdoor adventure journeys
 * demonstrate the use of equipment required for participation
 * provide advice on safety measures and risk minimisation strategies for outdoor adventure activities
 * respond to emergencies during adventure activities by providing first aid assistance and organising means of evacuation
 * provide advice on such matters as equipment selection and appropriateness of particular destinations or activities
 * plan and prepare the activities for both individual and group participation
 * demonstrate the relevant body movements and skills required
 * supervise and maintain control of the individuals and groups involved
 * demonstrate the use of and maintain equipment required for the activities
 * provide advice on safety measures and risk avoidance strategies
 * respond to emergencies by providing first aid assistance and take appropriate further action if required
 * provide advice on such matters as equipment selection and appropriateness of particular destinations or activities

= **__ Skills and knowledge __** = Outdoor recreation guides and instructors need to have:
 * a high level of skill in their outdoor activity or activities
 * knowledge of occupational safety and health (OSH) procedures relating to activities they undertake
 * outdoor survival and first aid skills
 * knowledge of weather conditions and geography in the area where they work.

= **__ personal and physical qualities __** = The personal qualities you need for a Outdoor recreation guide and instructor are:
 * mature, responsible and able to stay calm in emergencies
 * able to make good decisions under pressure
 * patient, sympathetic and enthusiastic
 * confident in their own abilities and able to inspire confidence in others
 * excellent leaders with good communication skills
 * good at planning and organisation, with strong problem-solving skills
 * good at dealing with people and able to work as part of a team
 * alert and observant
 * physically fit and healthy.

The physical qualities you need for a outdoor recreation gide and instructor are: Tour guides need to be reasonably fit as they may do a lot of walking or physical activities. They may also need to lift heavy luggage onto buses or coaches.

= **__ Secondary education __** = Useful subjects include English, maths, Asian or European languages and Māori. Secondary school students may have the opportunity to take part in the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation's Gateway travel programme. Students earn NCEA credits while doing work experience in the travel industry.

= **__ Tertiary education __** = National Certificate in Outdoor Recreation (Outdoor Instructor) Level 4/5 This qualification will take up to 17 months to complete.

This qualification has been designed to cover the technical skills required by Outdoor Instructors to: You can then choose one or more of the following pursuits to specialise in: There may be additional costs if external training and assessment are required.
 * Provide overall instruction and management of an outdoor activity
 * Manage risk for an outdoor activity.
 * Adventure Based Learning
 * Bush walking
 * Kayaking
 * Mountaineering
 * Rockclimbing.
 * Costs - $143.75 incl GST ** This cost includes learning and assessment resources, registration of achievement and Learning Support Advisor contact visits.

= **__ Useful experience __** = Useful experience for outdoor recreation guides and instructors includes:
 * teaching
 * paid or voluntary leadership of outdoor recreation groups
 * sales or customer service experience
 * work involving contact with the public
 * first aid and accident emergency work
 * conservation work.

= __** Working conditions **__ = Outdoor recreation guides and instructors:
 * may work long and irregular hours, including weekends and nights. They may work seasonally or year-round, depending on their specialist activity
 * work at locations such as national parks, mountains, forests, caves, rivers, lakes and the sea
 * may work in hot, cold, wet, windy or dangerous conditions
 * may travel within New Zealand or overseas to areas where the outdoor activities take place. They may be away from their home for long periods. Trips may require camping out or staying in huts and lodges in remote areas with few facilities.

= **__ Hours and contact with people __** = You start the job early in the morning at around 7:00 or maybe later in the afternoon and finish early evening (4:00 or 5:00) You spend around 10 hours interacting with people.

=**__ Pay and progression __**= Pay for outdoor recreation guides and instructors varies depending on the type of work they do, and their experience and qualifications. Outdoor recreation guides tend to be paid by the hour, day or trip, and usually earn between minimum wage and $21 to $28 an hour, depending on their experience and where they work. Outdoor recreation guides and instructors may also get cheap housing and other allowances. Source: New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association and Mountain Education Centre New Zealand.
 * New outdoor recreation instructors start on $28,000 to $34,000 a year.
 * With experience, they may earn up to $46,000 depending on where they work.

=**__ Related jobs __**= [|Recreation Co-ordinator] [|Ranger] [|Fitness Instructor] [|Diver] [|Tour Guide]

=**__ My Conclusion __**= I would enjoy this job because of the outdoors, view and teaching people new things. What I would'nt enjoy is seeing people get hurt some of the time and the pay is'nt very high but that really doesnt maatter because i will have fun doing this job anyway. I would rate my interest high because it seems like a fun and active job. This job would match my qualities, skills, values and interests because im fit, healthy and i like to do things outdoors. What I need to develop is outdoor survival and my first aid skills and my leadership skills.This job would change over time as i would need to update my first aid certificate when it is necessary, that would mean that i would have to study.