Outdoor Activity Staff (Permanent, Full-Time)

Location: Kielder Water, Northumberland (with easy access to Newcastle, Carlisle, & the Lakes)
Salary: From £27,976 per annum (Accredited Real Living Wage Employer)
Closing Date: 7th September 2026 | Start Date: October 2026 (Negotiable)

Change Lives through Adventure

Do you want to use your outdoor skills to make a real difference?

At Calvert Kielder, we have spent over 40 years pioneering fully accessible outdoor experiences. We believe that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves to experience the thrill of adventure. As a key part of our permanent activity team, you will deliver high-quality, life-changing land and water-based sessions on the stunning shores of Kielder Water.

No two days here are ever the same. Plus, you will get to operate the Kielder Zipcoaster—the world’s only fully accessible AvatarOne™ rollercoaster zipwire!

What We Are Looking For

We want confident, engaging outdoor professionals who love people. We specialise in working with people with disabilities, so experience in this area is a huge plus—but a passion for inclusion is what matters most.

To join us, you must have a proven track record in the industry and at least one of the following qualification pathways:

• Water Sports: Dinghy Instructor and/or Paddlesport Leader (or equivalent).
• Ropes & Climbing: Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI), Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI), or ERCA High Ropes Course Instructor.
• Desirable: D1 driving entitlement.

Why Work with Calvert Kielder?

We are a genuinely people-led organisation. We invest heavily in our staff team and offer one of the best benefit packages in the outdoor industry:

• Great Pay: Starting at £27,976 (well above the government national minimum).
• Unbeatable Time Off: 28 days annual leave PLUS time off over Christmas and New Year.
• Living on Site: Subsidised on-site accommodation available (subject to availability) and subsidised meals.
• Your Development: Dedicated, ongoing training to expand your qualifications.
• Peace of Mind: Life cover (3x salary), accident & illness insurance, and healthcare access (WeCare, MyStrength, Toothfairy).
• Perks: Blue Light Card scheme, staff discounts for family, and access to discounted outdoor kit.

Your Natural Playground

Based in the heart of Kielder Water & Forest Park on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, your days off will be just as exciting as your workdays. You will have immediate access to world-class mountain bike trails, local climbing crags, the Cheviot Hills, the wild Northumberland coast, great river catchments (Tyne and Tweed), and the nearby Lake District.

How to Apply

Ready to join a supportive team doing incredible work?

Please send your CV and a brief covering letter to workwithus@calvert-kielder.com with the subject line “Activity Staff”.

Do you have a passion for good customer service?

We are looking for an Administration Assistant to be part of our Guest Services Team, being a first point of contact for our guests.

Your tasks will include, but are not restricted to:

• Providing assistance to guests and dealing with any enquiries or complaints.
• Checking guests in and out.
• Taking payments by card and cash.
• Providing administrative support to operating departments.
• Maintaining accurate guest records on our database.
• Selling products and taking orders

 QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Experience in a customer facing job role would be an advantage.

Full training will be provided however the following is desirable:

• Level 2 certificate in Customer Services or equivalent Business based qualification
• Level 3 certificate / (NVQ) Diploma in Customer Service or equivalent Business based qualification

Full Driving Licence.

REMUNERATION & BENEFITS

Basic Salary at Real Living Wage rate

• Salary Exchange Pension Scheme.
• 28 days holiday, including bank holidays (pro-rata)
• Death in Service Benefit
• Staff Discount Scheme.

If you are interested in applying for this role or would like further information, please send your CV and covering letter to the email address workwithus@calvert-kielder.com with the subject line heading “Administration Assistant”.  Closing date: 8 May 2026

Chef/Cook (Permanent, Full-Time)

Location: Kielder Water, Northumberland (with easy access to Newcastle, Carlisle, & the Lakes)
Salary: £28,750 per annum (Accredited Real Living Wage Employer)
Start Date: October 2026 (Negotiable)

Make a Difference through Great Food

Do you want to use your kitchen skills to support life-changing residential experiences?

At Calvert Kielder, we have spent over 40 years pioneering fully accessible outdoor experiences. We believe that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves to enjoy adventure, independence, and time away in a welcoming environment. As part of our catering team, you will help provide nutritious, well-prepared meals that keep our guests, visitors, and staff fuelled for unforgettable days in Kielder Water and Forest Park.

No two days here are ever the same. You will be cooking for a wide range of groups, supporting dietary needs, and helping create the warm, inclusive hospitality that makes Calvert Kielder special.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a reliable, positive chef who takes pride in preparing good-quality food and enjoys being part of a friendly, purpose-led team. Experience in a busy kitchen is important, and a commitment to excellent hygiene, teamwork, and inclusive hospitality is essential.

To join us, you should be able to demonstrate experience and confidence in the following areas:

• Food Preparation: Preparing, cooking, and presenting nutritious meals for residential guests, day visitors, and staff.
• Kitchen Standards: Maintaining excellent food hygiene, cleanliness, stock rotation, and safe working practices.
• Desirable: Relevant catering qualification, Food Safety training, and experience supporting special dietary requirements.

Why Work with Calvert Kielder?

We are a genuinely people-led organisation. We invest heavily in our staff team and offer one of the best benefit packages in the outdoor industry:

• Great Pay: £28,750 salary
• Unbeatable Time Off: 28 days annual leave PLUS time off over Christmas and New Year.
• Living on Site: Subsidised on-site accommodation available (subject to availability) and subsidised meals.
• Your Development: Dedicated, ongoing training to expand your qualifications.
• Peace of Mind: Life cover (3x salary), accident & illness insurance, and healthcare access (WeCare, MyStrength, Toothfairy).
• Perks: Blue Light Card scheme, staff discounts for family, and access to discounted outdoor kit.

Your Natural Playground

Based in the heart of Kielder Water & Forest Park on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, your time away from the kitchen can be just as rewarding as your work. You will have immediate access to forest trails, mountain biking, local climbing, the Cheviot Hills, the wild Northumberland coast, great river catchments, and the nearby Lake District. Hexham, Newcastle and Carlisle are just a short drive away and Edinburgh and the South of Scotland are close by.

How to Apply

Ready to join a supportive team where good food helps make incredible experiences possible?

Please send your CV and a brief covering letter to workwithus@calvert-kielder.com with the subject line “Chef”.

no vacancies at this time

In addition to our normal roles Calvert Kielder also offers apprenticeships in Care, Activities and Business Administration.

This is an opportunity for people of any age to join our organisation and train to become a fully qualified member of the staff team.

We offer

• • A full-time starting salary of £16,000 in Year One
  • A minimum of 28 days annual leave with time off over Christmas and New Year
  • A Salary Exchange Pension Scheme
  • Life Cover worth 3 x Annual Salary
  • Accident & Illness Cover
  • Staff Family & Friends Discount Scheme
  • Subsidised Meals
  • Ongoing Training (NVQ’s, NGB’s online and day courses)
  • Subsidised On-site accommodation (subject to availability)
  • Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme

If you are interested in applying for this role or would like further information, please send your CV and covering letter to the email address workwithus@calvert-kielder.com with the subject line heading “Apprenticeships”.

no vacancies at this time