Operations

The Caretaker is central to ensuring efficient day-to-day operation of Greyfriars Kirk. The person is responsible for setting up and preparing the interior for church services and Outreach events, routine maintenance and overseeing cleaning. They are responsible for overseeing visitor opening during the day. As duty manager (mostly evenings) they oversee rehearsals, concerts and social events. The Caretaker/Duty Manager will report directly to the Operations Manager.

Full-time, permanent, based in Edinburgh/hybrid
Salary £41,477 to £46,257 (Band E) plus civil service pension, generous holiday entitlement and other benefits

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) explores, conserves and explains the world of plants for a better future.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a world leading botanical institute and international visitor attraction taking positive action for plants and people; from local communities across Scotland, to more than 40 countries around the world. Our priority is to tackle the biodiversity crisis and the climate emergency and support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Our work builds on over 350 years of history as a scientific botanic garden, a centre of education, the internationally important botanical collections in our care, and our extensive international partnerships.

Our four Scottish gardens – Benmore, Dawyck, Logan and ‘The Botanics’ in Edinburgh – attract over a million visitors every year. Together, these gardens comprise one of the richest plant collections on earth. As a registered Scottish charity, we are funded principally by the Scottish Government, but as an organisation we are very much global, with an ambitious mission to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future.

We are currently looking to recruit an experienced Operations Manager to support our Estates Capital & Revenue delivery plan. Although we consider this to be a full-time post, we are happy to consider applications from exceptional candidates looking to work on a part-time basis. Reporting to our Head of Estates & Technology Services you will work with internal colleagues, external consultants, contractors, and partners to support and coordinate the delivery of a wide-ranging programme utilising a wide variety of construction management tools and techniques.

We’re looking for an individual with significant operational management experience in an Estates environment, someone who thrives on playing a key influential role in an organisation. You’ll be a positive persuader who isn’t afraid to roll up your sleeves when required, someone able to influence at a variety of levels across an organisation.

As a 352-year-old institution with an estate that stretches from Edinburgh across Scotland, you can imagine this role will face a variety of challenges – but it will also give you the opportunity to make your mark in a very visible way and help us make substantial improvements to our estate in support of RBGE strategic objectives in horticulture, research, education and public engagement, and income generation.

To apply please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
• your CV
• a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
• a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form

Closing date: 5pm on 24 February 2023
Interview date: 7 March 2023

Recruitment Information: Job description and person specification

Informal enquiries about the role can be made to Kevin Haddow at khaddow@rbge.org.uk

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. No recruitment agencies please

The role of Print Studio Technical Assistant is an integral part of DCA Print Studio, a renowned centre for print production, collaboration and research, with a diverse range of exceptional print, digital, photographic and CNC equipment, offering open-access, state of the art facilities for workshops, courses, residencies, editioning and special projects. The print-based activities developed and delivered by the team engage a broad range of users including artists, community partners and members of the wider public, as part of DCA’s creative and cultural programme.

The post works across the studio to support staff, users and artists in all areas of activity, with a particular focus on technical assistance and maintenance, health and safety, administration and duty management.

The postholder will be supported with training and have access to the workshops for making their own work, by arrangement.

This position is open to job share.

Who we are

The National Trust for Scotland is an independent charity set up in 1931 for the preservation and conservation of natural and human heritage significant to Scotland and the world.

The National Building Conservation Team are a forward-looking team of buildings professionals who are passionate about caring for the Trust’s diverse portfolio of structures both historic and modern. Although we are one of the Trust’s Central teams, managed from Trust HQ at Hermiston Quay, individual team members are dispersed across all parts of the Scottish mainland, supporting 4 Regions and our role is all about collaborating and supporting local Operations Teams.

Our Regional Offices are:

• Edinburgh & East: Hermiston Quay, Edinburgh
• Highlands & Islands: Balnain House, Inverness
• North-East: Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire
• South & West: Culzean Castle, South Ayrshire / Greenbank House, Glasgow

The role of the Trust’s Building Conservation Team is to provide professional and technical building and conservation knowledge and support across all aspects of the care and maintenance of our buildings.

What this job is about

The Building Surveyor is the senior buildings and conservation professional in each Region. The Building Conservation Team delivers direct support to the regional management and operations teams, under the management and supervision of the Head of Building Conservation.

Each Region is supported by a Building Surveyor (2 posts in the South & West) and a Maintenance Surveyor, who between them support Trust property and conservation operations by delivering conservation maintenance activities to ensure that our buildings are fit for purpose, safe and welcoming for our visitors, meet legislative standards of compliance and deliver the Trust’s charitable purposes. The Team operates through a consultancy model with Building and Maintenance Surveyors aligned to a client group of properties to allow them to develop expertise in the history, significance, care and operation of those properties. Working in collaboration and consultation with operations teams and in response to condition reports, our surveyors programme and commission appropriate consultancy services and contractors to deliver required works. You will undertake condition surveys, identify and diagnose defects, specify and schedule works and develop options for remediation. This includes ensuring that all works specifications, contracting and project management and construction activities are compliant with legislation and Trust technical, Health & Safety and Conservation standards and policies.

As the senior surveying specialist and knowledge bearer within each region or property portfolio, the emphasis is on leading the conservation and care of the built environment, compliance against policy, statutory and legislative frameworks internally and externally (e.g. CDM, planning, health & safety, building control, environment, and conservation practice).

What we want you to be responsible and accountable for

You will work under the day to day operational management of the Lead Conservation Surveyor, who in turn reports to the Head of Building Conservation. You will be supported directly by the Buildings Administrator and Technical Assistant and by the Head of Building Conservation Policy. You will work most closely with the Regional Maintenance Surveyor (and existing S&W Building Surveyor in that region) to identify defects and respond to operational requests, research, plan and deliver appropriate solutions for any building related issues.

You will be required to:

1. Understand and continually refresh your knowledge of the significance, condition and operational requirements of the buildings in your area and the Trust’s Conservation Principles and other policies and statutory requirements that impact on our buildings.
2. Undertake surveys, identify defects and make recommendations for imminent and future works to improve, maintain and conserve the significance and operational utility of buildings and sites in the most environmentally sustainable way.
3. Lead, manage and input into the production of research and property plans in relation to built assets and their future care, use and operation.
4. Produce options appraisals, work plans, schedules, specifications and tender documents.
5. Manage procurement exercises in collaboration with our Procurement Team.
6. Develop, monitor and manage project budgets.
7. Develop, project manage and act as Contract Administrator for conservation, maintenance and improvement projects including ensuring that all necessary statutory applications are lodged and approved and any conditions discharged.
8. Provide information in support of grant applications and the management of grant funded works.
9. Provide support and information to the Health & Safety Team in relation to compliance matters including but not limited to: CDM, contractor management, fire safety, environmental management and DDA.
10. Compile and keep under review property information appropriate to each property and all building activities undertaken in your Region.

How we would like you to achieve this

Note for the South & West Building Surveyor, you will provide the following in region and in support of national projects under the direction of the Head of Building Conservation. For the Edinburgh & East Building Surveyor, you will deliver these activities primarily in region.

We need you to:

• Work in a way that is wholly consistent with our stated organisational values, our Corporate Strategy and our emerging Buildings Care Strategy.
• Work collegiately across the Building Conservation Team, and collaboratively with colleagues across the Trust.
• Become familiar and maintain your knowledge of the Trust’s systems and processes and the work of other departments.
• Apply best practice in building conservation and management of all building activities, having cognisance of industry standards and best practice, regulation and statutory requirements and the Trust’s internal policies and procedures.
• Obtain and maintain a working knowledge of all statutory requirements related to your work.
• Be solutions driven, seeking collaborative ways to achieve project aims while ensuring that our buildings receive the highest possible standard of conservation.
• Work flexibly and within reason attend sites as and when required, sometimes requiring overnight stays away from home.
• Keep good records relating to your activity and be able to use these swiftly to produce meaningful management information that can inform our decision-making.
• Be a good communicator and influencer. You need to be entirely comfortable and confident with creating and delivering engaging reports, formal papers, presentations, and activities for different internal audiences (from front-line staff to director/CEO/board level, as well as for external stakeholders). We use the Office 365 suite, and you will need to be a competent user of this family of IT tools.
• Support your colleagues and share your knowledge and experience with them to develop their skillset.

Who you will be working with

You will be part of the Central Building Conservation Team which acts as a cohesive team providing mutual support and advice and seeking common solutions across our built estate.

• Your line and operational manager will be the Lead Conservation Surveyor.
• Your team leader will be the Head of Building Conservation.
• Your closest working colleague will be the Regional Maintenance Surveyor.
• You will be supported in team by the Buildings Administrator, Buildings Technical Assistant, National Maintenance Lead, Head of Building Conservation Policy and the other surveyors.

You will cooperate and collaborate with a wide range of specialists in other teams across the Trust including in particular (but not limited to):

• Operations Teams – experts in the management and operation of our visited properties and their day to day care and compliance.
• Regional management – in particular the Regional Director and Business Manager.
• Estates Team – experts in the management of let and tenanted properties.
• Collections management and curatorial teams – experts in the conservation of objects and interiors and the presentation of properties for visitors.
• Health & Safety Team.
• Finance Team.
• Procurement Team.
• Legal and Insurance Team.
• You will be supported by the Trust’s People, IT, Coms and other teams.
• You will also work with, and lead hybrid teams made up of internal specialists and external consultants and contractors.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post: Play Development Officer
Department: Commercial Services
Reporting to: Area Manager (1)

Job Purpose:
Responsible for the efficient and effective management and operation of the ‘Play’ programme and the development of new, innovative and fun activities to drive revenue and participation.

Responsibilities:
1. Responsible for the leadership and management of all play programmes within Live Borders, delivering a high quality product.
2. Lead and develop new revenue streams by planning, developing and delivering a programme of new fun, innovative and varied play activities across the region, to maximise participation, customer development and income generation possibilities.
3. Drive the Live Borders party offering – developing new products and maximising the existing offering.
4. Oversee the successful growth of the gymnastics programme supporting local staff to deliver an excellent service and achieve business plan targets.
5. Lead and develop a happy and committed staff team to deliver high quality play programmes and services.
6. Take a proactive role in supporting site managers to drive participation and income through softplay centres.
7. Drive revenue and participation through planning, developing and implementing new fun mass participation events.
8. Working collaboratively with Active Communities colleagues on the continued development of the holiday programme offering.
9. Work collaboratively with Active Communities colleagues to development programmes and opportunities.
10. Develop and deliver elements of the Live Borders business plan and budget with P&L responsibility for the programme ensuring continued business growth and the achievement of targets.
11. Provide a leadership role for the Play programme staff and line manage all staff ensuring staff development and training, rotas, annual leave, sickness, recruitment and payroll is managed.
12. Identify marketing opportunity and request support with collateral to deliver campaigns.
13. Develop key partnerships internally and externally to ensure effective delivery of activities.
14. To be responsible for ensuring adherence to all relevant internal policies and procedures (e.g. Health and safety, risk assessments, customer care, operating and emergency procedures etc.).
Other details:
Requirement to work out of hours or weekends – not normally
Requirement for PVG/Disclosure check – yes

Person Specification
EDUCATION
Essential Key Desirable Key
Industry specific gymnastics coaching qualification.
UKCC L1. Industry specific gymnastics coaching qualification.
UKCC L2.
EXPERIENCE
Essential Key Desirable Key
Minimum of at least 3 years of working within a sports environment. Full and valid driving license.
Minimum of at least 1 years’ experience of staff management.
Experience of working with children & young people or vulnerable groups.
Track record of delivering successful performance and developing and increasing income streams.
Must have experience of managing budgets and a good understanding of financial management being able to interpret results through accounts.
Experience of delivering excellent customer service.
Experience of developing strong successful partnerships and working in collaboration to deliver key outcomes.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential Key Desirable Key
Knowledge of industry sector First class presentation skills.
Self-motivated, with the ability to work proactively using own initiative.
Numerate with strong analytical and problem solving ability.
Tenacious and results driven with sound business judgement.
Expert negotiating and influencing skills demonstrated to achieve successful outcomes.
Credible and confident communicator (written and verbal) at all levels.
Ability to work collaboratively with others to provide a high quality service.
Ability to organize, prioritise and meet deadlines.
Excellent Microsoft Office skills

KEY:
A = Application I = Interview R = Reference T = Test

The role

To assist in the provision of stores section services to the Living Collection Department at Edinburgh Zoo in line with agreed procedures and quality standards and in support of RZSS’ vision and mission.

Some of the things you’ll do:

Ensures food supply comes into the zoo and is delivered to the animal areas each day as a priority.
Assists in the control of stock levels, including annual and other regular stock takes.
Maintains stock control records and other stock control activities in line with agreed procedures and standards.
Issues and transports goods around the park to meet the requirements of the relevant animal sections daily.
Collects agreed goods, supplies and samples from sections around the park, as well as suppliers, before delivering as required.
Maintains the safe and clean condition of the stores section and vehicles, and reports all items requiring maintenance as set out in the relevant procedures.
What we’re looking for:

Educated to standard grade level or equivalent qualifications
Basic knowledge and understanding of stock control systems
Full UK driving licence
Accuracy and attention to detail in record-keeping
Please see the role profile for further information on what the role involves and essential/desirable criteria.

Closing Date: Midday Thursday 26 January

We offer a range of great benefits which can be found at www.rzss.org.uk/about-rzss/staff-benefits

This exciting new role will play a key role in the Edinburgh & East Inventory Team for the PLANTS Project – Plant Listing at National Trust for Scotland, a three-year programme to survey, and update the plant inventories at the 39 major gardens owned and managed by NTS across Scotland. Accurate plant records are essential, to ensure legal compliance, safe management of the collections, and for supporting visitor engagement and research. Working with the newly implemented IrisBG database, this project represents a major investment in our plant collections and will result in up-to-date plant records across the Trust. The completed inventory will help us safeguard the collections and will provide our property and gardens staff with a reliable, accessible source of collections information for interpretation and visitor enjoyment.

The purpose of this role is to deliver plant collection inventories as part of a regional PLANTS project inventory team on site at properties and to update and process existing accession data within the IrisBG database. The post will involve extensive travel within the region and occasional visits to other parts of Scotland for project meetings and the post holder will be expected to undertake extended periods of time away from home to undertake garden audits where daily travel distances are impractical.

If you are considering applying for this post on a secondment basis, please discuss with your Line Manager prior to applying to ascertain whether this could be supported.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Undertake plant inventories at properties during the spring and summer seasons using plant identification and research skills to create accurate lists of plants held within the plant collections.
• Process the data collected during the inventories matching established plants found with existing records, creating new records for unregistered plants, and checking the accession records in the database to ensure all data held is accurate and consistent.
• Undertake research into locally held property files and plant records to bring together background and supplementary data surrounding the plant specimens and process this in accordance with records held in IrisBG.
• Produce content for social media and NTS blog as well as contribute to a program of public and stakeholder communication promoting the project.
• Work with and induct project volunteers and property-based volunteers with a particular focus on facilitating the volunteer led plant photography aspect to the project.
• Work with gardens and property staff to schedule and carry out the inventories and to foster a new culture of record keeping with property teams.
• Engage with the visiting public on location at properties during inventories to promote the project and answer questions whilst working.
• Support gardens staff to follow Trust policies and procedures for the long-term maintenance of the plant inventory information in IrisBG.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential
• A college diploma in horticulture And/OR demonstrable experience in a related field.
• Demonstratable plant identification and taxonomy skills.
• Strong IT skills including experience of MS office software such as Word and Excel.
• Meticulous attention to detail, in particular when handling large and complex datasets.
• Good organisational and time management skills including the ability to prioritise work and to manage conflicting deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, team work and communication skills when dealing with a wide range of people and confidence representing the Trust to the visiting public.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in inclement weather and on rough terrain.
• A driving license, current for driving within the United Kingdom and willingness to travel across Scotland with regular nights away from home.

Desirable
• Previous experience of computerised plant collection management systems such as IrisBG.
• Experience of large-scale inventory projects.
• An understanding of the legal and ethical issues regarding plant collection management and an interest in heritage horticulture.

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

Scale
• Edinburgh and East – 13 major properties across the region including Branklyn, Hill of Tarvit, Kellie Castle, Falkland Palace, Culross Palace, the Hermitage, House of the Binns, the Pineapple, Inveresk, Malleny, Newhailes, Harmony and Priorwood and any associated secondary properties as appropriate.
People Management
• No people management responsibilities
Finance Management
• Has no budget responsibility
Tools / equipment / systems
• IrisBG plant records database
• Microsoft 365 and Office packages including Word and Excel
Example key performance indicators and targets
• Carry out plant inventories in at least five properties in the summer months.
• Update 60 accession records per day in the winter months.

This exciting new role will lead the Edinburgh & East Inventory Team for the PLANTS Project – Plant Listing at National Trust for Scotland, a three-year programme to survey, and update the plant inventories at the 39 major gardens managed by NTS across Scotland. Accurate plant records are essential, to ensure legal compliance, safe management of the collections, and for supporting visitor engagement and research. Working with the newly implemented IrisBG database, this project represents a major investment in our plant collections and will result in up-to-date plant records across the Trust. The completed inventory will help us safeguard the collections and will provide our property and gardens staff with a reliable, accessible source of collections information for interpretation and visitor enjoyment.

The purpose of this role is to lead a regional inventory team to deliver region-wide plant collection inventories and to create up to date database entries within the IrisBG database to an agreed schedule. The post will involve extensive travel within the region and occasional visits to other parts of Scotland for project meetings and the post holder will be expected to undertake extended periods of time away from home to undertake garden audits where daily travel distances are impractical.

If you are considering applying for this post on a secondment basis, please discuss with your Line Manager prior to applying to ascertain whether this could be supported.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead on the implementation of the project plan for the regional inventory team, liaising with properties to schedule visits, directing the inventory work and problem solving on the ground, communicating targets and progress to the team, and reporting on progress and operational issues to the PLANTS Project Manager. The post holder will have authority to make day-to-day decisions with the support of the Project Manager to ensure the overall success of the project.
• Be an active part of the delivery team carrying out the plant collection inventories on the ground at properties during the spring and summer seasons using plant identification and research skills to create accurate lists of plants held within the plant collections.
• Lead the processing of the data collected during the inventories. This includes: matching established plants with existing records, creating new records for unregistered plants, and checking the accession records in the database to ensure all data held is accurate and consistent.
• Direct the inventory team’s research into files and plant records to ensure all relevant information is recorded in IrisBG.
• Produce content for social media and NTS blog, as well as contribute to a program of public and stakeholder communication promoting the project.
• Manage the regional team of two inventory officers.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with the wider NTS gardens team and property staff to facilitate the smooth running of the project and to foster a new culture of record keeping with property teams.
• Actively promote the project and be an enthusiastic advocate for plant recording work by engaging with visitors during inventory work in the gardens.
• Provide training on IrisBG operation and plant record keeping procedures and Trust policies for gardens staff on completion of the database update and hand over the completed dataset to gardens staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential
• A qualification in horticulture/taxonomy And/Or demonstrable extensive experience in a related field.
• Demonstratable plant identification and taxonomy skills.
• Experience in people management with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral when dealing with a wide range of people.
• Strong IT skills including experience of MS office software such as Word and Excel.
• Meticulous attention to detail, in particular when handling large and complex datasets.
• Good organisational and time management skills including the ability to prioritize work and to manage conflicting deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in inclement weather and on rough terrain.
• A driving license, current for driving within the United Kingdom and willingness to travel across Scotland with regular nights away from home.

Desirable
• Previous experience of computerised plant collection management systems such as IrisBG.
• Experience of large-scale inventory projects.
• Experience of project management.
• An understanding of the legal and ethical issues regarding plant collection management and an interest in heritage horticulture.

JOB PURPOSE: Assist in all aspects of the daily running of HFM.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
1. Assist AOM to co-ordinate recruitment, induction and training of seasonal staff and volunteers
2. Assist AOM to manage seasonal staff and act as their first point of contact
3. Manage staff and volunteer uniforms, costumes and equipment
4. Process attendant staff timesheets and compile monthly payroll
5. Compile attendant staff and volunteer rotas and organise and provide emergency cover
6. Co-ordinate quality assurance for accreditation and external bodies e.g. VisitScotland, Green Tourism
7. Assist AOM with administration tasks including visitor surveys, funding applications and local no cost marketing and promotions initiatives
8. Take responsibility for implementation of Health and Safety policies including risk assessments
9. Organise activities and special events
10. Order and maintain janitorial and reception supplies
11. Assist with Am Fasgadh meetings, events and catering (and other on-site catering)
12. Provide assistance and guidance to visitors, staff and volunteers