Part Time

We are looking for actors and actresses to deliver historical/ghost/ graveyard tours in Edinburgh’s Old and New Town.

A flair for Drama interspersed with humour is essential, along with clear spoken English. Earnings from £11-£15 per hour, plus bonus and tips, hours are flexible.

Must be available to work during weekends and public holidays.

Please send your current C.V., both Acting and Academic, along with a current headshot and any references to ian@auldreekietours.com

We are a four star Visit Scotland Attraction, and trade all year round, and an Edinburgh Fringe Venue for 2022. Our various walking tours cover Old and New Town, Greyfriars Cemetery, and our infamous paranormally active vaults dating back to 1700’s that feature a Wiccan Temple, legendary Haunted Vault, Medieval Torture Exhibition.

Sunday Monday Tuesday with an alternating Wednesday, averaging 26.25 hours per week, 7.45 – 16.15 each day.

The Precinct Attendant is responsible for safely managing vehicle access and egress outdoors on the Mound Precinct while providing security and helping visitors to the Galleries. The role involves maintaining accurate records and interacting with contractors and tradespeople in accordance with daily schedules.

The holder of the post is responsible to the Day Supervisor of the Gallery. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Exercise control over vehicles entering and leaving the Mound Precinct

2. Supervision of contractors and trades people on the Mound Precinct

3. Staffing fixed duty or access points including searching incoming baggage or containers as necessary.

4. Maintain accurate records

5. Providing a high standard of visitor care, maintaining a professional front and being the public face of the National Galleries. Welcoming and assisting visitors.

6. Assisting the public in emergency situations.

7. Supervision of members of the public to ensure the safety of the collections and regulation of those failing to comply with the Gallery’s conditions of entry.

8. Light cleaning and portering duties.

9. Adherence to Health and Safety guidelines.

10. To be proactive in keeping up to date with NGS exhibitions, events and displays and to engage with the public on these, whilst also remaining vigilant.

JOB PURPOSE
To contribute to keeping the National Trust for Scotland’s (NTS) upland path network at high standards of maintenance and design in order to protect natural heritage and enable people to have a great experience when they choose to visit the upland Properties for which we care.

Overall, this will be in pursuit of the National Trust for Scotland’s vision and strategic objectives:

Vision: Scotland’s heritage will be valued by everyone and protected now and for future generations.
Objectives:
• Protect: To protect and care for Scotland’s heritage.
• Experience: To provide opportunities for everyone to experience and value Scotland’s heritage.
• Promote: To promote the benefits of heritage.
• Support: To create an efficient sustainable business which supports our conservation needs.

For this job in particular, these mean:
Working as part of the Path Team is a national role across the Trust’s upland properties including but not limited to Glencoe, Ben Lawers, Ben Lomond, Torridon, Kintail, Goatfell and Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve. To maintain the Trust’s upland path network through targeted restoration and maintenance tasks. Under the day-to-day direction of the path team leader and in liaison with others as necessary, the work will include clearing drains, re-surfacing works, repairs to damaged stonework and all aspects of upland path construction and maintenance works.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
The key purpose of the job is to ensure that all upland paths are maintained to a high standard through maintenance, repair and construction of upland paths to industry standards while being conscientious about conservation, the environment, visitors, and your surroundings.

The Path Worker will be responsible for and aware of their own health and safety and that of the team, volunteers, contractors, and visitors. They will assist in developing a culture of safe working, as well as contributing to the overall conservation and development of the Trust’s Properties and their enjoyment by visitors and supporters. The Path Worker will feed into publicity and fundraising campaigns and help promote the Footpath Fund whenever possible. They will also participate in and contribute to the smooth running of the team both on site and in accommodation when working away.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications
Essential – Full driving licence.

Desirable:
• SQA level 2 in environmental conservation or higher.
• Mountain leader certification.

Skills, Experience and Knowledge
Essential –
• Path Work across a range of types of upland and/or remote country landscapes.
• Interpersonal communication skills including a personable manner with the public.
• Working and living for periods in a small team

Desirable
• Previous experience working in an upland / countryside path team.
• Navigation and mountain awareness skills – mountain leader experience.
• Background in environmental conservation work, particularly in Scotland.
• Knowledge of GIS systems or digital mapping.

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

Footpath work involves a mixture of repair/maintenance/improvements at the Trust’s upland properties which are often in remote upland/mountain locations where vehicular access is not possible (or appropriate for conservation reasons). Occasionally, materials and equipment may be dropped-in by helicopter, but the team generally “walks in” (and out) with the tools/equipment it needs, often over several miles As part of the Trust’s approach to path repair/maintenance, the team sources materials locally, manually moving stone/gravel/turfs from areas adjacent to the path to be repaired/maintained, and into position to make the path feel as “natural” and “in keeping” with its natural surroundings as possible. The work is strenuous and takes place in all weathers (unless conditions make it unsafe to do so).

The 4-person team is based in Glencoe, (or at least the work’s truck is) but usually spends several consecutive days/nights per week at other properties, so as well as working together the team regularly lives together in basic shared accommodation. Occasionally the team will work with contractors and volunteer groups.

A typical working week might involve:
• Team depart from Glencoe at 8am Monday morning, (depending where you live will determine if you have to make your own way to site or meet at Glencoe) drive to property, walk tools into site and begin work, gather stone, dig out path tray, cutting turf etc. (lunch and refreshments are all taken on site and are the responsibility of the individual to prepare).
• Team return to accommodation at or near the property, often in self-catering accommodation, for 6pm where the team are “off duty”. Evening meals are the responsibility of the individuals to prepare / obtain. Allowance for expenses is given by NTS.
• Tuesday – 8 till 6 on site and return to nearby accommodation.
• Wednesday 8 till 6 on site and return to nearby accommodation.
• Thursday work on site until approximately 3pm, secure site then return to vehicle and drive back to Glencoe for 6pm. Clean up and packing on the Wednesday night to free up the accommodation by 8am Thursday morning.

This is a typical pattern only, the work will vary, e.g.: there may be some weeks when training or attendance at central Trust meetings mean few or no days on the hill during the week.

Scale
National across l the Trust’s upland and remote Properties. There are 460km of path in the Trust’s upland network and the Path Worker will experience every meter at some stage in their career with the Trust.

People Management
 Not a line manager, but occasional supervision of volunteers/apprentices/work experience or other work parties.
 Works closely with other staff members.
 Regular interaction with members of the public of all ages and abilities.
 Occasional working with external contractors.
 Liaison with property staff and external organizations.
 You will be expected to assist and feature in NTS publicity and fund-raising initiatives.

Finance Management
• Not a budget-holder, but will be expected to take responsibility for the careful and effective management of Trust tools, materials, equipment and resources. And fill in expense claims accurately.

Tools/Equipment/Systems
• Frequent user of driven vehicles such as team vehicle.
• Infrequent user of ‘powered’ tools such as power barrow.
• Frequent user of hand-tools such as spades, mattocks, pinch bars, winch, sledge and dyking hammers.
• Regular user of IT (CoreHR peoples system)

Example key performance indicators and targets
• Ability to keep up with the team once trained.
• All work carried out to industry standard and passed by competent path manager.
• Weekly targets set by team leader, for example: clear XX path drains, repair XX features and build XX meters of path.
• Yearly targets set by Path Manager, for example: maintain Glencoe paths XX to XX to a high standard by the end of the year, these will be discussed in detail during the probationary period.

JOB PURPOSE

The St Abb’s Head property is one of the most heavily designated natural and cultural heritage sites in the UK, including a National Nature Reserve, two Sites of Special Scientific Interest, two Special Areas of Conservation, a Special Protection Area, two Geological Conservation Review sites, and three Scheduled Monuments.

The property is internationally important for breeding seabirds and species rich grasslands and breeding grey seals as well as being home to a wide range of other wildlife. This along with the stunning coastal landscape means it is a regionally important tourist attraction which attracts over 50,000 visitors annually.

We are looking for someone with some experience of countryside management to join our close-knit team, assisting with practical countryside tasks, property management and visitor liaison. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to gain skills, knowledge, and experience to help you further you career as a countryside ranger.

You will work on your own and with other staff and volunteers, on a variety of practical conservation tasks to help us achieve the high presentation and habitat management standards expected of a National Nature Reserve.

You will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the St Abb’s ranger service through income generated at pay-for events, memberships and donations inspired by our work, growing our capacity through volunteers and cost-effective use of resources.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Nature Conservation
 Be an enthusiastic and effective part of the ranger service, contributing to the smooth operation and ecological enhancement of St Abb’s Head NNR.
 Carry out regular site monitoring checks and record keeping, helping us to evaluate performance and plan our conservation activities, including habitat and species surveys, foot path condition checks, weather gauge observations and people counter figures.
 Ecological monitoring to include Grey Seal pup counts, Badger surveys and set mapping and a range of other biological recording.
 Get involved with practical conservation tasks, including habitat management (gorse removal), woodland management, path maintenance and fence repairs, litter clearance and property patrols.
 Seek to minimize our environmental impact through sustainable working practices and sensitive use of power, equipment, transport, and other resources.
Visitor Engagement
 Participate in a programme of patrols at busy times and locations, including weekends and evenings, to engage with tourists, outdoor activity enthusiasts and campers, championing a “leave no trace” culture and providing practical advice based on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
 Lead Seal events throughout November and December, showing visitors colonies through telescopes and binoculars, sharing stories of the Grey Seals ecology and life cycles.
 Welcome customers out on the reserve in a friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable manner, answering queries and providing information about the property, facilities, and the local area.
 Contribute to the development and delivery of products that bring alive our stories, including on-site displays, self-guided trails, signage, guided walks, talks or other hands-on activities.

Working together
 Supervise volunteer roles to help grow our team’s capacity and assist with the leadership of group volunteering activities as required.
 Build positive relationships with our neighbours and local community, including other land managers, schools, community groups and recreational users.
 Support a strong health & safety culture, complying with the property’s ‘Safe System of Work’, risk management and emergency procedures, to safeguard yourself, colleagues, and the public.

Funding our future
 Actively promote the value of Trust membership to existing and potential members.
 Seek and support ways to generate sustainable sources of income, including encouraging donations, booking events, payment of parking charges, visits to other properties and awareness of our fundraising campaigns.
 Not a budget holder but expected to liaise with the Line Manager prior to incurring any expenses and be mindful of cost-effective use of Trust funds and resources.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

 Hold a qualification in a relevant discipline and / or at least a year’s ranger experience.
 Experience of engaging the public in nature tourism or working in a busy countryside setting.
 Strong knowledge of natural history and conservation, especially upland flora & fauna of Scotland.
 Confident communication and influencing skills with colleagues, volunteers, and the public.
 Comfortable with working near cliffs.
 Experience of working in a team and working with volunteers.
 Self-motivated with the ability to work alone or work with minimal supervision.
 Flexible and adaptive to change and working in a variety of situations.
 IT literate and competent user of Microsoft Office products.
 Clean driving license.

Desirable

 First aid certificate.
 Brush cutter training.
 Experience in practical conservation work.
 Experience of using a 4WD vehicle.
 Experience of developing and delivering events or learning activities.
 Experience in leading groups of volunteers.

The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.

Applications
Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources Department (Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF, by mail or by email via workforus@nts.org.uk, by first post (i.e. 10.00am) on 12th November 2021 Interviews are likely to be held over Microsoft teams.