Are you passionate about the outdoors and ready to make a significant impact in the world of sport and recreation?
The Office of Sport is seeking dynamic individuals for the role of Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer) on a casual basis. This is your chance to deliver engaging programs to diverse groups and be part of a team that values creativity and collaboration.
Discover the exciting opportunities and benefits of this role, including competitive daily rates and the chance to work in a flexible, family-friendly environment. Learn more about the application process and how you can stand out with our Unofficial Guide to Mastering NSW Government Recruitment and our free NSW cover-letter template.
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Table of Contents
Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer) Salary and Overview
| Position Title | Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer) |
| Organisation / Entity | Office of Sport |
| Location | Sydney Region / Sydney – North/North West |
| Work Type | Flexibility available |
| Base Pay | Daily rates from $326.05 to $477.30 plus super |
| Closing Date | 17/08/2025 – 11:55 PM |
About the Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer) at Office of Sport
The role of Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer) at the Office of Sport is a unique opportunity to engage with diverse groups through the delivery of educational and recreational programs. As a Program Officer, you will be at the forefront of planning and executing programs that align with current trends and standards in the sport and active recreation sector. Your responsibilities will include ensuring compliance with the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, managing incidents and emergencies, and undertaking on-call duties during residential programs.
To excel in this role, you must possess expertise in program delivery, a strong understanding of risk management and safety protocols, and excellent communication skills to tailor services to client needs. Collaboration is key, as you will work across teams to enhance outcomes and ensure a positive experience for all participants. Essential qualifications include tertiary education or a Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation/Leadership, along with First Aid and CPR certification and a Working with Children Check.
Why Outdoor Recreational Instructor Is a Great Opportunity
This is a rare casual opportunity to get your foot in the door of the NSW public sector—ideal for university students or anyone seeking flexible hours. While the role is casual, it offers hands-on experience and a real look at how government operates behind the scenes.
- Day rates from $326.05 to $477.30 + super
- Additional allowances for night shifts
- Work casually at the Sydney Academy of Sport in a flexible, dynamic environment
- Great fit for those passionate about outdoor recreation and education
- Build public sector experience that could lead to future roles
If you’re looking to gain government experience without committing to full-time hours, this role is a fantastic starting point.
Application Requirements for Outdoor Recreational Instructor
Office of Sport Application Process
ToTo ensure your application stands out, it’s essential to follow the application instructions carefully. Applications that are missing documents or submitted in the wrong format may be rejected without review.
Make sure you include:
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with the requirements.
- An up-to-date CV (maximum 5 pages) showcasing your relevant skills, experience, and achievements.
Need help writing your cover letter? Download this free template—designed specifically for NSW Government roles and proven to get results.
What to Include in Your Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer) Cover Letter
Your experience is highly relevant to this role—but to make your application stand out, it’s important to use the exact language from the job ad wherever possible. In your cover letter, you should clearly demonstrate your ability to meet all of the following capabilities:
- Program Delivery Expertise – Show your experience planning and delivering educational or recreational programs for schools, community groups, or sporting organisations.
- Risk Management & Safety – Highlight your understanding of safety protocols and your ability to identify and manage risks during program delivery.
- Client-Centred Communication – Provide examples of how you’ve tailored your communication to meet the needs of different client groups.
- Collaborative Approach – Share how you’ve worked effectively with colleagues to improve outcomes and enhance the client experience.
You should also clearly state that you meet the mandatory requirements:
- Qualifications: Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field or a Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation/Leadership, along with relevant industry experience.
- Certifications: Current First Aid and CPR qualifications.
- Working With Children Check (WWCC): You’ll need to arrange this at your own expense.
- Work Rights: You must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working visa for the duration of the role.
- Pre-employment checks: All offers are subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and Pre-Employment Health Assessment.
By addressing these clearly and thoroughly, you’ll give your application the best chance of success.
Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer) Application Checklist
| ✅ | Read the full job ad — Open the listing on I Work for NSW and make sure it’s a role you’re genuinely interested in. |
| ✅ | Want to apply? — Just copy the job ad URL and submit it via the Write It For Me form to get started right away. |
| ✅ | Let me do the hard part — I’ll prepare your complete application pack, tailored specifically to the role |
| ✅ | Fill in your story — You’ll receive pre-filled, easy-to-use documents with prompts to help you add your personal experience and examples. |
| ✅ | Get expert review — Send it back for a final polish from someone who’s worked on real government hiring panels. |
| ✅ | Apply with confidence — Submit a professional application that meets all the criteria—and positions you as a standout candidate. |
Candidate Profile — Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer)
Brandy is a second-year university student studying Sport and Exercise Science, with a strong interest in public health and community wellbeing. Passionate about making a positive impact, Brandy is aiming for a future graduate role in the NSW Government and sees this casual opportunity as a valuable first step.
With experience volunteering at youth camps and coordinating recreational activities at university, Brandy brings energy, strong communication skills, and a proactive approach to safety and inclusion. She’s eager to gain hands-on experience in program delivery while learning how government services operate from the inside.
Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer) Example Cover Letter
Dear Recruitment Team,
I’m excited to apply for the Casual Program Leader position at the Sydney Academy of Sport. As a second-year university student currently studying Sport and Exercise Science, I’m passionate about promoting physical activity, teamwork, and wellbeing—particularly among young people. This role presents an ideal opportunity to contribute to a high-quality government program while gaining experience that will support my future goal of joining a NSW Government graduate pathway.
In my volunteer role at Camp Horizon, I gained experience in planning and delivering educational and recreational programs for school-aged participants. I regularly led group activities such as team sports, obstacle courses, and problem-solving games for up to 20 high school students. I carefully tailored each session to suit the group’s energy, interests, and age range—modifying activities to maintain engagement and encourage cooperation. The success of these programs was reflected in consistently positive participant feedback and requests for repeat sessions by camp leaders.
I also developed a strong understanding of safety protocols and the ability to identify and manage risks while delivering these activities. Each session began with a safety briefing, and I checked equipment and activity spaces beforehand to prevent hazards. On one particularly hot day during a bushwalk, I noticed a participant becoming disoriented and fatigued. I immediately moved them to the shade, provided water, and notified the camp medic. The situation was handled smoothly, and the experience reinforced the importance of staying alert and acting quickly to protect participant wellbeing.
My role as a Peer Leader during university orientation week helped me strengthen my communication and interpersonal skills to tailor service delivery to a diverse group of students. Supporting both domestic and international students, I learned to adapt my communication style to meet different needs. For students with limited English, I used simpler language, visual aids, and written summaries to support understanding. This inclusive approach helped build trust and created a more welcoming environment for all participants.
While working on a university group assignment, I had the chance to demonstrate my ability to work across teams to improve outcomes and customer experience. Our task was to design a school-based physical activity initiative, and I coordinated our five-person team by assigning roles, managing timelines, and encouraging open collaboration. When a team member couldn’t contribute fully due to personal reasons, I helped the group adapt quickly to keep the project on track. Our final submission received excellent feedback, and we were commended for our teamwork and problem-solving.
In terms of requirements, I meet all the key eligibility criteria for this role. I’m currently completing tertiary qualifications in a relevant field—Sport and Exercise Science—and have practical experience in program delivery and youth engagement. I hold current First Aid and CPR certifications and understand the importance of maintaining them for roles involving group supervision and outdoor activity. I’m in the process of obtaining a Working With Children Check and understand this must be completed at my own expense. I am an Australian citizen and fully eligible to work for the duration of this appointment. I also acknowledge that any offer will be subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and Pre-Employment Health Assessment, and I am willing to meet all requirements.
Thank you for considering my application. I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to support high-quality, inclusive programs at the Sydney Academy of Sport and contribute my energy, initiative, and reliability to your team. I look forward to the chance to discuss this opportunity further.
Warm regards,
Brandy
How to Use the STAR Method for Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer) Applications
The STAR method is a simple and effective way to structure your examples in a government job application. It stands for:
- Situation – What was the context?
- Task – What needed to be done?
- Action – What steps did you take?
- Result – What was the outcome?
Government hiring managers want to see clear, specific examples that show how you’ve demonstrated the skills or capabilities they’re looking for. Using the STAR method helps you stay focused, avoid vague claims, and highlight the value you can bring.
Let’s look at how this was done in Brandy’s cover letter, in the section about program delivery expertise:
“In my volunteer role at Camp Horizon, I gained experience in planning and delivering educational and recreational programs for school-aged participants. I regularly led group activities such as team sports, obstacle courses, and problem-solving games for up to 20 high school students. I carefully tailored each session to suit the group’s energy, interests, and age range—modifying activities to maintain engagement and encourage cooperation. The success of these programs was reflected in consistently positive participant feedback and requests for repeat sessions by camp leaders.”
This example clearly follows the STAR structure:
- Situation: Volunteering at Camp Horizon with school-aged participants
- Task: Plan and deliver engaging recreation sessions
- Action: Led tailored activities and modified them to suit the group
- Result: Positive feedback and repeated requests from camp leaders
Follow this format in your own examples—especially in your cover letter responses to capabilities—to show hiring managers you understand the role and can deliver real impact.
Get Your Outdoor Recreational Instructor (Program Officer) Application Ready Now
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