FAQs

Frequently asked questions
about working at Mill on the Brue

Why Mill on the Brue?

  • The centre started in 1982 and is still family owned and run.
  • There is a strong environmental ethos underpinning everything we do – we’ve won awards for this!
  • We truly believe in the power of outdoor learning to make a real difference to people – whatever their age.
  • Building fun and strong relationships with the groups is key to how we work – our instructors stay with the group for their whole visit to enable this.
  • It’s a beautiful rural centre with all activities on site, except for a few during summer camps and when we work with leadership development groups. No getting into and out of minibuses every day.
  • Within a couple of hours to Dartmoor River Dart, climbing and walking, South Wales (Brecon Beacons, Black Mountain for walking, climbing and paddling), fabulous beaches and sea cliff climbing.
  • A train station in Bruton that links to Bath, Bristol, Weymouth and London.

Benefits

 

  • Long season - our first customers arrive in early February and we finish our season in late November.
  • Consistent monthly wage - any accumulative hours worked, paid at the end of the contract.
  • Uniform.
  • Locally sourced ‘home-cooked’ subsidised meals.
  • Free lunch (after first season) and free meals when on duty.
  • Free car parking on site
  • Annual leave – 31 days including Bank Holidays and Christmas and New Year calculated pro rata..
  • Pension scheme – 5%
  • Monthly bonus payments for outdoor qualifications held (from list).
  • Incentive payment for full contract completion (for instructors).
  • Financial assistance with qualifications – all staff.
  • Time off for the majority of weekends (depending on bookings).

I want to work in the Operations Instructor team…

 

  • Actually, none to apply. What is most important is the right attitude, a willingness to learn and really wanting to work in the outdoors with children and young people. Ideally you would have experience working in the outdoor industry or at least some coaching, volunteering, etc with young people.
  • However, a current First Aid certificate and a Paddlesport Instructor qualification are the most useful.
  • Other qualifications such a Pool Lifeguard, Archery GB, Climbing Wall Instructor and Lowland Leader are great in addition.

 

Progression Opportunities

 

  • Instructors are given the opportunity to return in successive seasons, we like to keep the skills, knowledge and great attitude and help you develop experience.
  • Where possible we like to promote into senior positions from in-house and encourage instructors to develop skills, knowledge and attitude to enable this.

Do you offer accommodation for staff?

 

  • The Lodge is our onsite, subsidised staff accommodation which consists of single rooms (though we can accommodate couples if necessary); shared bathrooms, kitchen and living area.
  • This is mainly taken up by Instructors, although if we have space there may be opportunity for other roles to live on site.
  • We ask Senior Instructors, Head of Operations and other team leaders to live off site as this enables them to keep the professional separation necessary in their roles.
  • Towns such as Castle Cary, Frome, Shepton Mallett, Wells and Yeovil are all within about 35 minutes drive and offer a range of accommodation and facilities.

What is the recruitment process?

 

  • Adverts are always put on the website and have all the details – job description, salary and how to apply are there.
  • Instructor positions being advertised on bluedome.co.uk and Outdoor Instructor Jobs on Facebook as well.
  • Senior Instructor positions are placed on the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) jobs page outdoor-learning.org and Bluedome.
  • Applications can be sent in at any time and we will let you know when our next intake is planned.
  • Initial interviews take place either over zoom or Microsoft Teams or in person – depending on where you are based with a follow up final interview in person.
  • Start dates for Instructors will vary, but always begin with a paid Training Week.

Can I do voluntary work?

 

  • There may be some opportunities for voluntary work, though not in the instructing team.
  • We take decisions on a case-by-case basis depending on business needs.

There may be opportunities to apply through the WWOOF scheme.

Are there any work experience opportunities?

  • We do take work experience placements each year from Years 10, 11 and 12.
  • All placements include a little time in each team – catering, estate, housekeeping and instructing – to allow you to understand a bit about how an outdoor centre works. It takes more than an instructor team!

Is there a gender pay gap at Mill on the Brue?

 

  • No. Salaries are paid according to role not to gender.

Recruitment process for other roles

 

  • All jobs are put on the jobs and volunteering page of the website.
  • They may also be advertised on Indeed and local Facebook groups.
  • All roles will have job description, salary information and how to apply.

Do you offer an apprenticeship for instructors?

 

  • Not at the moment, unfortunately, apprenticeships do not work with how our season runs. However, we do value these and the learning applicants will have gained whilst completing them, so definitely include them on application forms.