Operations

JOB PURPOSE

As part of the team which cares for Glencoe National Nature Reserve, a Ranger plays a crucial role in ensuring that our conservation ambitions go hand in hand with welcoming our local community and visitors from across the globe to this well-loved place.

You will share your enthusiasm for the outdoors and passion for the countryside with the walkers, campers and sightseers who come to explore our 14,000 acre estate, including eight iconic Munros, in Glencoe and Glen Etive.

You will work on your own and with other staff and volunteers, on a variety of practical conservation tasks to help us protect the landscapes in our care, as part of ecologically healthy habitat networks where natural processes predominate and help combat climate change.

You will work out in the landscape, on walking routes, in our parking areas, at popular spots for camping and at our visitor centre, acting as an ambassador for the National Trust for Scotland, building awareness and support for our charity. You’ll leave those you meet with a desire to respect, protect and enjoy this special natural environment and an understanding of how they can help do this.

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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Conservation

 Be an enthusiastic and effective part of the ranger service, contributing to the smooth operation and ecological enhancement of Glencoe NNR.
 Carry out site monitoring and record keeping, helping us to evaluate performance and inform conservation management decisions, including habitat and species surveys, archaeology and footpath condition checks, weather gauge observations and people counter figures.
 Perform a range of practical habitat conservation and improvement tasks, including vegetation, woodland and invasive-species management.
 Support the estate’s deer management plans, either through the coordination of contractors or by conducting practical stalking activities (if qualified).
 Achieve high standards of presentation and repair for estate infrastructure to achieve ecological, visitor service and safety outcomes, including litter clearance and path, fence, gate, wall and sign maintenance.
 Seek to minimize our environmental impact through sustainable working practices and sensitive use of power, equipment, transport and other resources.

Public engagement

 Participate in estate 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.
 Welcome customers in our Visitor Centre Information Hub 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 educational and outreach activities that bring alive our stories, including social media content, on-site displays, self-guided trails, signage, guided walks, talks, events or other hands-on activities.

Working together

 Recruit, induct and supervise volunteers to help grow our team’s capacity, and assist with the leadership of group volunteering activities.
 Build collaborative working relationships/partnerships with our neighbours and local community, including other land managers, schools, community groups and recreational users, to help deliver Trust priorities and landscape-scale benefits.
 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 timber and venison sales, 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

 Graduate level qualifications or equivalent experience in countryside management, nature conservation or environmental studies.
 Experience of practical land management and conservation work and of supervising others to conduct tasks.
 Knowledge of Scottish habitats and species, particularly upland flora and fauna, and ecological survey and monitoring techniques.
 Proven track record of delivering excellent visitor experiences within a countryside setting or engaging the public in sustainable tourism.
 Confident interacting with and influencing a wide range of staff, volunteers, visitors, educational groups and other stakeholders.
 The interpersonal skills to work in a team and the self-motivation to work alone with minimal supervision.
 Proactive approach to driving forward ideas and projects and delivering on agreed objectives.
 Confident in hill-craft or working in a mountain environment.
 Sound IT skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office products and social media channels.
 Full clean UK driving license.
 Understanding of and belief in, the work of the National Trust for Scotland, particularly with regard to the management of Highlands and Islands estates.

Desirable

 Trained to use equipment including chainsaw, brush-cutter, pesticides, woodchipper, trailers, ATV (sit in and sit astride) and confident user of other relevant tools.
 Deer management qualification (DMQ Level 1 or 2), practical stalking experience and holder of the appropriate licenses and certificates for the use of firearms in relation to this work.
 Summer Mountain Leader Certificate.
 Experience of leading groups of volunteers and visitors in an outdoor activity/learning environment.
 Confident financial acumen and some budgeting experience.
 First aid certificate.

The role will require criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) checking and clearance for safeguarding of children/vulnerable adults.

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.

JOB PURPOSE

You will be responsible for the operational delivery of the countryside experience at Culzean Castle & Country Park. Managing and delivering performance standards/targets to ensure the enjoyment of the property by all visitors and key conservation, commercial and development objectives are achieved. The role is part of a broader property team responsible for delivering an overall visitor service strategy, promoting good communication across the site and a joined-up service provision.

THE PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

Formerly the home of the Marquess of Ailsa and the Kennedy family and with a history dating back to the sixteenth century, Culzean Castle and its landscaped grounds was acquired by the Trust in 1945 and is generally considered one of the flag-ship Trust properties. The Country Park extending to about 286 hectares, is visited by around 300,000 visitors each year, who come to enjoy the wildlife and scenery, of which the gardens, woodland and coastline are an integral part. The Country Park is open all year and the castle from April to October.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Combine responsibilities across the following areas of work by overseeing the work of others such as your team, contractors, volunteers, and other colleagues with some direct implementation yourself:
Team Leadership
• Work with the Operations Manager as part of the Culzean management team to help develop and implement the operating plan for the property.
• Lead your team of Rangers to implement the operating plan. Be the lead in developing and delivering outdoor conservation and engagement activities
• Develop and mobilise a wide range of resources to help implement the business plan including among others volunteers, local community groups, regional / local agencies, corporate partners, and contractors.

Nature & Habitat Management
• Survey wildlife and habitats and feed this knowledge into management decisions, marketing of natural heritage, and further development of our voice. Focus is on bats, otters, Great crested newts, the long running monitoring programs involving warblers and fulmars and invasive species.
• Working closely with Gardens & Grounds to maintain and manage habitats, wildlife, and assist with countryside estate infrastructure at small, day to day scale (e.g. paths, gates, signs, vegetation management) to achieve ecological, visitor services, and safety outcomes
• With Gardens & Grounds team maintain the annual tree safety reporting and action system.

Visitor Experience
• Provide information to visitors to encourage more visits/visitors and help people get more out of their engagement with natural heritage and give more back to it including “upselling” (e.g.: of membership) using face to face and by other means of interaction such as social media. Includes delivery of a programme of walks, talks, activities and events.
• Day to day management of Adventure Cove & Wild Woodland; carry out regular inspections to ensure safety of visitors, working with Gardens & Grounds/contractors to ensure remedial work is undertaken as necessary
Community engagement & Learning
• Communicate with local stakeholders, neighbouring landowners, local businesses, local / regional agencies and others to increase understanding of their and our aims and develop collaborative working to help deliver our priorities.
• Provide educational activities on site or to the community local to the natural heritage and to communities of interest, including for volunteers.
Livestock Management
• Overall management of the property’s livestock; deer and llama. Take lead in ensuing technical compliance with animal welfare, testing as well as staff training and development.

Other responsibilities specific to the role

• Provide site liaison role to the Culzean based Project Search to facilitate communication between NTS Culzean staff and Project Search staff.
• Deputise for the Operations Manager as and when required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential
• Graduate level qualifications or equivalent experience in one or more of the following subject areas heritage or cultural studies, visitor services, rural land management, nature conservation, environmental studies
• Working knowledge of Scottish habitats and species and of ecological survey and monitoring techniques
• Significant practical experience in a relevant land management discipline, with a particular focus on visitor management, access, and education
• Significant experience in environmental education and interpretation
• Proven track record in planning and delivering exceptional visitor experiences within a countryside setting;
• Proven strong leadership skills, particularly in the areas of team development, communication and programme delivery;
• Significant experience of managing risk within a countryside setting, including the Health and Safety of staff, volunteers and visitors. Good working knowledge of the legislative requirements relating to managing safety in the countryside
• Experience of leading and inspiring a culture of exceptional service for customers
• Proven track record in managing finance in line with budget expectations, and financial planning to deliver operational goals and projects
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to build strong, professional relationships with a wide range of people
• Excellent presentation skills and IT skills.
• A proactive approach to driving forward ideas and projects, delivering enhanced visitor experiences
• A full, clean driving licence for driving in the UK is essential.
• Criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) checking and clearance essential for safeguarding of children/vulnerable adults.
Desirable
• A genuine understanding of and belief in, the work of the National Trust for Scotland, particularly with regard to the management of Culzean Castle & Country Park.

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

Scale
• 235 hectares of mixed woodland, gardens, polices and coastland
• Country Park designation, SSSI, Semi-natural deciduous woodland, Historic Garden and Designed Landscape
• Over 300,00 visitors per year
• Culzean has a rich diversity of habitats with a very wide range of key species of international, national and local significance.
• The coastal strip under Trust ownership is recognised as being of national significance and the Trust’s influence is extended by a Trust Conservation Agreement over the area north to Dunure. It is designated as a SSSI and has rich intertidal areas and supports regionally important populations of plants, invertebrates and birds.
• Other habitats within the estate are Scottish Wildlife Trust Listed Wildlife Sites, non-statutory designations recognising their regional importance, particularly their rarity in Ayrshire; these include the diverse mosaic of semi-natural and planted woodlands, and the freshwater sites, particularly the Swan Pond, which is a key wildfowl wintering site in Ayrshire.
• These habitats are home to a rich diversity of species of international, national and local significance, as recognised under the EC Habitats and Birds Directives, UK Biodiversity Action Plans, Local Biodiversity Action Plans and RSPB Red and Amber Lists and other assessments.
• Most notable are breeding peregrine falcons, warblers, otters, bats, butterflies, moths (Culzean is a Rothamsted recording site), dragonflies, fungi and lichens.
• However, it is the overall species richness within Culzean that makes the property such an important wildlife site. This lushness of biodiversity is sustained by the prevailing moist, mild climate and by sensitive land management.

People Management
• Direct line management of 2 full-time Rangers, seasonal staff and a team of volunteers and interns.

Finance Management
• This role is a budget-holder for the Rangers activities.

Tools / equipment / systems
• Demonstrable experience of using relevant tools and equipment in the appropriate setting; this may include use of strimmers, brush cutters and chain saws.

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.

The role

To undertake designated activities, related to your trade, for the maintenance and refurbishment of all buildings, facilities and infrastructure owned by the RZSS; to ensure that all areas of the site are safe and well presented for our visitors and in accordance with agreed service standards and in a cost-effective manner, in support of RZSS’ mission and vision

Some of the things you’ll do:

* Take the day-to-day lead to ensure all assigned repairs and projects are delivered effectively, safely, on time and to budget and recommend cost-effective opportunities to minimise the impact of its operations on the environment.
* Undertake all forms of painting works (e.g. interior/exterior, wallpapering, pre-treatment works, sign writing, road marking including enclosures) and be able to take the lead on projects including measuring up for materials and planning the works with minimal supervision.
* Ensure all buildings and street furniture is inspected, maintained and documented to meet relevant legislation and best practice standards at all times.
* Maintain a consolidated stock list of all materials, and order supplies required for the daily operation of your activity according to the formal procedures set down by RZSS, maximising value for money.
* Maintain all relevant record systems, inspections and testing in line with legislation for park and building and infrastructure.

What we’re looking for:

* Relevant City and Guilds certification or S/NVQ Level 3
* Up-to-date knowledge and understanding of basic building related H&S legislation.
* Working knowledge of the risk assessment processes.
* Trained and competent on all paint finishes and timber treatments.

Please see the role profile for further information on what the role involves and essential/desirable criteria.

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

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
To assist the Head Stalker in managing and enhancing the game resource and conservation activities on Mar Lodge Estate in accordance with the management plan.

The position plays a key role in the practical implementation of written management plans on the ground. This includes carrying out works in some of the most ecologically significant wildlife communities within the Cairngorms National Park. The location of the Estate in such an area of environmental significance, as well as the high levels of public usage, means that the role is often employed in practical ways to manage the potential conflicts between these interests.

Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to the People 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 17th September 2021.

KEY PURPOSE
To ensure that the garden and related policies of Brodick Castle Garden and Estate are managed and maintained as a nationally-recognized garden of outstanding historical and horticultural importance; contributing to the property’s overall conservation and development, and its enjoyment by visitors and supporters.

The role of ‘Gardener’ as a key member of the Brodick Castle team will be heavily involved in the development plans of the garden and wider designed landscape, with future projects aimed at creating gardens of international significance. Hence this post will be vital to realize this ambition of the gardens as a top visitor attraction. This post is likely to include frequent work in the woodland garden.

Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to the People 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 10th September 2021.

Reporting to: Managing Director

Role Purpose:

To support MD in the development and execution of corporate strategy. Using business analysis tools to inform direction and highlight inefficiencies. Focus on creation of MI reporting structure and streamlining internal processes. Instrumental in budget creation, financial forecasting, and reporting with emphasis on cost savings. Performance analysis of business steams to identify key areas for growth.

Role responsibilities:

Working with MD to develop corporate and business strategy, creating and implementing a roadmap which will align individual business aims to one overarching strategy.
Financial planning/budgeting/forecasting across all revenue streams in line with strategic aims.
Creation of MI and data reporting to craft strategy, leveraging software to make informed actions, focusing on cost efficiency and profit.
Overall responsibility for procurement across personnel, suppliers, partners,
insurances, key events, and service range acting as a central point of control.
Delivery of compliance and regulatory framework, including developing risk
assessment tools, creation of risk maps, business continuity planning and
regulatory practices.
Working with MD and management team to link in resource plans with business
development activity and ensure marketing/PR are engaged throughout.
Provide oversight and input to staff training, focusing on company values, culture,
purpose and aims.
Support the development of company culture, including key messaging and principles.
Leading the design, implementation and delivery of operational excellence across
the business
Development of Conifox brand, building on current platform to cultivate and
promote via Marketing and PR, reviewing customer journey and telling our story.

Experience required:

Able to demonstrate financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
experience across a variety of complex business streams.
Proven experience developing corporate and business strategy and aligning core delivery functions.
Able to create meaningful insight from data analysis and MI reporting.
Hospitality/Leisure/Tourism/Corporate experience ideal
1st class communication skills essential for this role
Must be able to work flexibly and resourcefully with a small team.
A relevant and full finance professional qualification i.e. ACA/ACCA/CIMA ideal but
not essential

To apply, please submit a CV to Deborah@conifox.co.uk

FRAMES CONSERVATOR (BAND 5)
FULL-TIME, (ALTHOUGH REQUESTS FOR PART-TIME WILL BE CONSIDERED), FIXED TERM (3.5 MONTHS
Job Summary

This is a specialist conservator role, delivering frames conservation across the collection. It is based within the Collections Directorate, reporting to the permanent Frames Conservator. It sits alongside and compliments the other conservation specialisms of paintings, paper, and time-based media.

Key Responsibilities
Frames conservation and research (80%)
• Assist colleagues with the planning and programming of the frames conservation work required to deliver the loans, displays, exhibitions, acquisitions and collections care activities which are scheduled.
• Keep records of work undertaken over the course of the year and liaise with colleagues to flag up any anticipated issues with the delivery of the work programme and to advise on whether additional requests can be accommodated.
• Undertake the conservation work required for exhibitions and displays of framed artworks, both within NGS and at non-NGS sites, including advising on the suitability of works of art for transport and display, condition checking, conservation treatments and application of preventive conservation measures.
• Undertake frames conservation work required to improve standards of collections care, such as condition surveys of targeted parts of the collection and remedial treatments of objects in poor condition.
• Carry out a range of written and electronic documentation, including requesting photography, communicating findings and providing data for entry onto the NGS collections management database (Multi Mimsy) and NGS website.
• With colleagues, respond to any incident reports which relate to frames.
• Liaise with conservation technicians and art handling technicians to ensure that works are safely packed and installed, which may involve designing specialist storage and display cases.
• Where appropriate, undertake art historical research relating to parts of the NGS frames collection, and conservation research relating to modes of deterioration and conservation materials and techniques.

Common Areas of Responsibility (20%)
These areas of responsibility are common across all the conservator roles, although some of the specifics will vary depending on the conservator’s specialism.
• Commission and supervise work by freelance conservators and specialists.
• Undertake courier duties of relevance to the conservation specialism on behalf of NGS.
• Devise work programmes for and supervise interns, placement students and volunteers.
• Provide specialist advice and training for colleagues, both within and outside the Conservation Department, and answer external enquiries.
• Work with the budget holder to create, review, manage and maintain the budget for particular areas of responsibility.
• Maintain relevant conservation and analytical equipment, advise on purchases of new equipment, monitor levels of conservation materials and request additional stock as appropriate.
• Publicise and promote the activity of the specialist role and of the Conservation Department as a whole, both internally and externally, by giving talks, tours, and presentations and writing content for traditional publications and social media.

CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN – PAINTINGS AND FRAMES (Band 7A)
FULL-TIME (ALTHOUGH REQUESTS FOR PART-TIME WILL BE CONSIDERED), FIXED TERM (4 MONTHS)

Job Summary
The Conservation Technicians make up a small group of specialists sitting within the Conservation Department. Their main purpose is to devise and implement systems to ensure that the NGS collections and those works on loan to NGS are displayed, stored and transported in a safe and appropriate manner.

The role of the Conservation Technician – Paintings and Frames is to work with two other technicians to deliver the paintings and frames conservation technician service. This primarily consists of delivering technical work, with reference to agreed standards where appropriate, and monitoring progress against agreed targets.

Key Responsibilities
Technical work (85%)
Undertake the preparation of art works upon acquisition, or for the public, loans and collections care programmes, following standard methodologies as appropriate but also finding innovative solutions where necessary. This work includes:
• Refitting paintings in frames to NGS standard.
• Making and finishing new frames, including batches of standard frames and one-off customised frames.
• Packing and unpacking objects, creating new packing systems as necessary.

Organisation and management (5%)
Assist the Senior Conservation Technician with the organisation and management of the paintings and frames conservation technician work, including:
• Liaising with the Paintings Conservators to plan work and to organise the movement of objects in and out of the department.
• Ensuring that objects in the paintings and frames conservation technician studio are safe and secure, and that the studio is tidy and well organised.
• Ensuring that any professional freelance paintings and frames conservation technicians have the resources they need for their work.
• Liaising with the Paintings Conservators and the Digitisation team to organise and facilitate the photography of objects.
• Monitoring the progress of the paintings and frames conservation technician work so that any potential failure to meet deadlines can be identified and addressed, and so that collections care work can be programmed in when capacity permits.

SUMMARY OF ROLE

The Daskalopoulos Curator of Engagement is temporarily taking leave from the National Galleries of Scotland. The role of Daskalopoulos Digital Producer is designed to cover a specific number of tasks, focusing on research into, and the commissioning of, future Digital Content.

Working collaboratively across teams, in line with the principles of NGS’s strategy, the Daskalopoulos Digital Producer will contribute to the planning and development of digital content programmes and in-gallery interpretation.
This will include research into blended digital/physical exhibition models as well as content that will potentially inform any future physical offer.

Working closely across Collection & Research and Digital teams, the post will support a University of Edinburgh Guided Research Placement, working with the cohort of 5 students to support the development of interpretation.

Main Duties

● Project-manage production of content and managing external agencies, content creators, in line with content and audience strategies.

● Liaise with colleagues, artists and relevant stakeholders on the development of different digital content and other forms of interpretation. Undertaking research for the development of content relevant to specific target audiences, while meeting organization’s strategic aims.

● Supervise volunteers and trainees as projects require, with a particular focus on the University of Edinburgh Guided student research placements.

● Research and distil best practice in interpretation (including digital initiatives), ensuring outcomes are disseminated appropriately.

● Write briefs and procure suppliers for the delivery of original content according to schedules and content calendars.

● Maintain best practices for publishing across platforms, implementing editorial guidelines, and ensuring accuracy, usability, and a consistent voice

● Create audience-focused content (written format and multi-media) to be published across channels and in-gallery.

● Assist with the development of standards, operational practices and quality control associated collection content for NGS digital media systems and rights management.

● Liaise with external content suppliers, rights-holders and key stakeholders for large-scale digital projects.