Visitor Services

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Brodick Castle is an idyllic island destination and visitor attraction on the Isle of Arran. As one of the Visitor Services team within the castle, you’ll ensure that all visitors receive an excellent visitor experience and leave feeling inspired by this stunning property and its history. This will be achieved through being welcoming; engaging and knowledgeable; prepared to answer visitors’ questions about objects, stories of the castle and its family and the NTS. This person is frequently in contact with visitors and as such is an ambassador for the Trust, exhibiting consistently excellent customer services while actively promoting the Trust’s aims and services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

RETAIL MANAGEMENT

• Ensuring the highest level of customer care at all times.
• Actively seeking new opportunities for retail development to enhance both the visitor experience at the property and the contribution it makes to the property’s overall income stream.
• Co-ordinating (and actively participating in) the operation of the shop, including (but not limited to):
o Opening/closing procedures
o Maintenance of a pleasant and safe retail environment
o Stock ordering and control
o Merchandising
o Counter service
o Cash handling/reconciliation
o Reporting of income/statistics
o Administration and banking
o As required, maintain the cleanliness and tidiness of the retail area
o Ensure that the retail strategy and budget is managed and delivered
• Managing the retail team members (including volunteers) such that they are guided, supported, trained, developed and valued as key players for the delivery of customer and business requirements.
• Embracing all organisational training required to be taken as part of the role.
• Sharing in the common responsibility of implementing the Trust’s “Health & Safety Policy”, being mindful at all times of the health and safety of self, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• In accordance with the property’s procedures, sharing in the common responsibility for the safe evacuation or management of colleagues and visitors in the event of a fire or security alert or alarm.

SCOPE OF ROLE

Technical Knowledge
• Will need to undertake end-of-day/end-of-week till procedures and cash reconciliation.
• Maintenance of administration processes, for which training will be given.

People Management
• Supervisory/ line management responsibility (including volunteers)
• Will need to communicate efficiently with both internal and external customers

Financial Management
• Will have sales target and budget responsibility:
• Considerable use of Trust financial systems.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

The below outlines the key skills and behaviours the job holder will need to possess and exercise:

Essential
• Must have sound working experience dealing effectively with a wide range of people in a public situation
• Must have excellent customer-care skills
• Must be able to demonstrate commercial acumen
• Must be an effective team player
• Must be able to work effectively on own initiative
• Must have a genuine understanding of, and belief in, the work of the National Trust for Scotland.
• Must have a personal commitment to excellence in customer care with the ability to enthuse and motivate others
• Must be willing to show commitment and flexibility in work practice

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.

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.

CONTEXT
The garden comprises a listed walled garden containing an impressive collection of tender plants that may be grown due to the effect of the Gulf Stream. It also features a large woodland garden containing a world class collection of Rhododendrons and plants from temperate regions of the world.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Key Purposes of the job will be met by:
1. Undertaking practical maintenance of the garden (e.g. managing trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants, and bulbs; turf care; pest/disease/weed control; staking, plant nutrition, composting and soil improvement to the required standards expected by the Trust and for the maximum safety of, and enjoyment by visitors including other professionals in the horticultural industry;
2. Fostering positive relationships with local communities and organisations and promote the work of the Trust.
3. On occasion, supervising and working with volunteers and/or staff members to ensure they deliver required outputs at the appropriate standard, and gain benefit/satisfaction from their activities;
4. Demonstrating self motivation, organizing, planning, and prioritizing and good time management;
5. Undertaking such other reasonable duties as may from time to time be required to ensure the smooth running of the property as required by the Head Gardener.
6. Ensuring compliance with the Trust’s health, safety, and environment policies and procedures.

The current duties of this job do require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be carried out.

SCOPE OF JOB

People Management
 Not a line manager but will, on occasion, supervise volunteers and staff under instructions from Head Gardener;
 Will work closely with other property colleagues, and will have some interaction with other technical/specialist advisory colleagues based in other locations and departments (e.g. other NTS gardens in Ayrshire and Arran)
 Will have regular (daily) interaction with members of the public and guests of all ages and abilities.

Finance Management
 Not a budget-holder.

Tools/equipment
 Will be a user of driven vehicles such as ride-on mowers and tractors;
 Will be a frequent user of powered tools such as mowers, strimmers and hedge-cutters;
 Will be a frequent user of hand-tools such as spades, forks, trowels, rakes, hoes, shears, and secateurs.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

The above outlines the key skills the post-holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either knowledge of or experience in the following is required:

Essential
 A college Diploma in Horticulture or demonstrable equivalent knowledge;
 Practical experience in general amenity gardening ideally in a garden open to the public.
 Demonstrable skills in plant husbandry, particularly trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, turf culture and pruning.
 Sound demonstrable plant knowledge and identification skills.
 PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates, or willingness to be trained in the use of pesticides and to exercise that training.
 Sound knowledge of basic tool and machinery use and maintenance
 Some practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes and procedures and the ability to work effectively within these processes.
 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; confident in interacting and dealing with a wide range of people; and able to represent the Trust.
 Good organisational and time-management skills – including the ability to prioritise work where necessary and also the ability to work using own initiative, in the absence of direct line management.
 Eye for detail and finish, quality standard and best practice.
 Current driving licence valid for driving in the UK.

Desirable
 Competent IT skills sufficient for maintaining plant records, use of the internet/intranet, assisting volunteers, on-line learning etc.
 Experience of working in a mixed-team that includes short-term/seasonal staff and/or volunteers.
 Skills in arboricultural techniques, basic chain-saw certificates – CS30 & CS31, or willingness to be trained in the basic use of chainsaws and to exercise that training.

The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required 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
To maximise our visitors’ enjoyment of Mar Lodge Estate by maintaining excellent standards of service, optimising opportunities to generate income and ensuring that the property and its assets are clean, tidy, protected and safe.
This exciting and varied role will support our rangers, visitor services, events and holiday let activities when required, helping to make the property the best possible place to visit and work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
To provide a consistently high standard of visitor care at all times
• Welcoming visitors to the estate/property in a friendly, efficient and knowledgeable manner, answering queries and providing information about the property, facilities and the local area.
• Provide a positive visitor experience to the estate by assisting with housekeeping, carparking, property checks, tours, events and onsite activities when required.
• By maintaining excellent standards of service, optimising opportunities to generate income, and ensuring that the site and its assets are safe and secure you will be a vital part of furthering the valuable work of the National Trust for Scotland
• Promoting National Trust for Scotland brand to include our Membership scheme, events, upselling other properties and any promotional campaigns, being proactive in the selling of Membership and Gift Aid;
• Welcoming visitors with special needs / impairments and providing a high level of service in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act.

To maintain excellent standards of site and personal presentation at all times
• To assist with the general ongoing operational servicing and delivery of visitor facilities across all areas of the property, including our car parks, public toilets, public rooms and spaces, holiday accommodation and other outlying visitor facilities throughout the property.
• Ensuring the property is clear of debris, rubbish etc and that signage is befitting of a Trust property
• Ensuring the property is ready to accept and welcome visitors by the set operational times
• Wearing correct uniform, name badges, or PPE as required.
• Reporting all instances of damage and wear and tear issues promptly to your line manager
• Participate in a duty rota to ensure that visitor’s needs out with normal working hours are supported.

Other duties (where applicable)
• To assist in achieving site events targets and KPI’s.
• To actively upsell products and services to facilitate the visitor’s enjoyment.
• To work flexibly across departments and sites as needed.

Health and Safety
• To ensure site meets with Health and Safety legislation in liaison with your department manager.
• To ensure that the site is secured at end of day.
• To use personal protection equipment as provided and directed by your line manager

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
Qualifications
• No formal educational qualification required.

Skills, Experience & Knowledge
Essential
• Demonstrable experience in a customer-facing role, delivering impeccable customer care through excellent inter-personal skills and personal standards.
• Excellent “front of house” persona – warm, welcoming, patient, understanding with a flexible and helpful outlook.
• Be responsible and proactive, ensuring all day-to-day tasks are completed as instructed
• Demonstrable excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise.
• Ability to work within a team or independently to a high and safe standard
• The ability to take the initiative and address problems or deal with tasks as they arise.
• Full UK driving licence and access to own transport
• Living the values of the National Trust for Scotland and encourage colleagues to do the same
o The ability and willingness to understand others’ perspectives and to consider the impact of your actions on them and to adapt your actions as necessary.
o The ability and willingness to learn and try new things, to be flexible and step outside of your comfort zone.
o An open and honest way of communicating, ready to ask others for their ideas and to be open to hear and consider different points of view.

Desirable
• Experience in housekeeping or equivalent.
• Recognised First Aid Qualification
• An understanding and commitment to the aims and objectives of the National Trust for Scotland.
• A passion for Scottish heritage and history

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

The Property Manager is required to lead on ensuring that both the land and built heritage owned by NTS on the Islands of Iona and Staffa, Burg and Macquarie’s Mausoleum on Mull are managed to the highest standards. The Property Manager has a specific role to manage the transition of Maol farm from the current tenancy (ending Dec 2022) and the Burg grazings to systems that ensure their ongoing sustainability. The Property Manager will increase our capacity to achieve conservation goals, financial sustainability and improve visitor engagement. They will increase the profile of NTS with communities and visitors and improve the maintenance of rented accommodation. The property manager will require a good understanding of how to fit in with island community life.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Work with NTS colleagues and partners to protect and enhance natural and cultural heritage of Iona, Staffa, Burg and Macquarie’s Mausoleum.

• Increase opportunities for financial sustainability of the properties both through assessing and monitoring costs and identifying and instigating opportunities for income.

• Maintain regular contact and good working relationships with partners including community councils, neighbouring landowners/land managers, tenants, and relevant agencies and NGOs.

• Work closely with other farmers and crofters on Iona to develop and promote high standards of management on Maol Farm aimed at maximizing benefits for wildlife and the community.

• Assisting in the development of a management arrangements on Burg that maximize benefits for wildlife, the community, and associated grazing opportunities.

• Work with colleagues and other stakeholders to bring derelict buildings back into use for housing and enterprise for the benefit of the community and the Trust.

• Work with colleagues and contractors to ensure leased properties are well maintained by NTS and are compliant with legislation

• Increase engagement with visitors to help ensure their visits are as inspiring and accessible as possible

• Promote wider understanding of our role and the value of supporting the NTS

• Manage staff (Currently Ranger, Staffa Seasonal Ranger and part time Visitor Services Assistant for shelter).

• Work with colleagues, local residents, partners and the National Trust for Australia to enact necessary management on Macquarie’s Mausoleum.

• Undertake other duties relevant to this role yet unknown or unspecified

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications

Essential
 Practical experience in nature conservation and land management
 Driving License, valid for driving within the UK

Desirable
 Degree in relevant natural science subject

Experience

Essential
 Conservation land management
 Practical Farming experience, including machinery use, fencing, baling, handling livestock
 Working knowledge of SRDP, AECS and agricultural subsidy.
 Knowledge natural and cultural heritage of the Iona area
 Personable, open-minded and modest with good people skills
 Partnership working
 Business and finance management
 Computer literate

Desirable
 Living on an island or otherwise remote and small community
 Building restoration and maintenance
 Managing staff
 Visitor Management
 Health and safety
 Knowledge of Gaelic

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

Scale

Island of Iona and outlying islands – approx. 790 ha.
Maol Farm tenancy expired at the end of 2022; sustainable management of Maol Farm (including the conservation of machair, crofting landscapes and traditions and associated rare species including Corncrake) is a key function of the property managers role. Iona has a very strong community to be a part of and to work with for the long term benefit of the island. There are 15 crofts with shares in common grazings and two farms (Culbhuirg and Maol). Maol cottage is in need of restoration and the Trust leases 6 cottages, all of which require regular maintenance. Iona attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, many attracted to the Abbey (not in NTS ownership).

Island of Staffa – 31.7 ha
Famous for its basalt columns, Fingal’s Cave and its puffins, Staffa attracts nearly one hundred thousand visitors a year. The management of visitors travelling by boat to this remote island and the protection of the assets that make Staffa so special requires careful and sensitive management. A key element of this is the current infrastructure project on Staffa and the crucial work to ensure biosecurity to protect breeding seabirds.

Burg, on the Island of Mull – 568 ha
Management of species rich sea braes, upland habitats and associated rare species and geology, including Slender Scotch Burnet, Iceland Purslane and fossil trees. Burg is the prominent nose at the end of Ardmeanach with the stepped slopes of Bearraich 432m leading down to the rugged coastline. Burg extends from the township area where two buildings remain (Burg Farmhouse and the bothy), to a nearby Iron Age Dun, past McCulloch’s Fossil Tree to the evocatively named ‘Wilderness’.

Macquarie’s Mausoleum, on the Island of Mull
Macquarie’s Mausoleum is the resting place of Lachlan Macquarie, a prominent character in the founding of modern day Australia, born on nearby Ulva. The Mausoleum is cared for by NTS on behalf of the National Trust for Australia.

People Management

The Property Manager will be part of the Highlands and Islands team led by the Regional Director and will be
line managed by the Operations Manager (West Highlands), alongside the Senior Seabird Officer and other Property Managers for:
• Balmacara,
• Ben Lawers & Moirlanich Longhouse,
• Torridon & Shieldaig Island,
• Kintail, Morvich, West Affric and the Falls of Glomach,
• St Kilda, Mingulay, Pabbay & Berneray.

The Property Manager will line manage:
• The Mull, Iona, Staffa Ranger (Full time – Partnership with MICT)
• The Staffa seasonal ranger (March to October),
• The Shelter visitor services assistance (9 hours per week)

Finance Management

The Property Manager will be the budget-holder for Iona, Staffa, Burg and Macquarie’s Mausoleum. With assistance from the Finance team, the Property Manager responsibility for ensuring appropriate spending inline with Trust policies and budgets.

Tools / equipment / systems

The Property Manager will be expected to be adaptable, practical and pragmatic; equally capable of arranging contractors to carry out work as well as completing tasks such as fencing themselves. As the role develops and needs arise tools and machinery may be purchased.

Equally the Property Manager will be required to be sufficiently computer literate to effectively communicate with colleagues and partners, undertake training, arrange work as required etc.

Example key performance indicators and targets

The property manager will:

• Establish strong working relationships with fellow islanders and NTS colleagues
• Successfully manage the transition of the management of Maol Farm from current tenancy into a new system; and lead its future management to achieve conservation goals.
• Work effectively with NTS colleagues and contractors on the restoration of Maol Cottage
• Work effectively with NTS colleagues and tenant in developing effective grazing regime on Burg

Place in organisational structure

The Purpose, Context, Key Responsibilities, and Person Specification 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

The Seasonal Ranger will be the face of the National Trust for Scotland on Staffa during the busy summer months and will play a critical role in forging a strong and close working relationship with Day Boat Operators. The Seasonal Ranger will welcome visitors and help ensure their time on Staffa is highly enjoyable and memorable, while helping to protect and enhance the island’s natural and cultural heritage.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Visitor Services
• Welcoming and engaging visitors, enhancing their experience by providing information about Staffa, its geology, natural and cultural heritage, including strong messages around safety and respect for wildlife.
• Encourage people to further contribute to caring for Staffa through donating or taking up membership of NTS.
• Collect cash donations made on the island and securely transfer them to the NTS Mull and Iona Ranger for receipting and banking.
• Assist with practical countryside management including litter picks, beach cleans, maintenance and safety checks of visitor infrastructure.
• Lead and assist with events such as guided walks and talks as appropriate.

Nature conservation
• Contribute to biological monitoring programmes including seabird surveys.
• Manage and collate biological information in a consistent manner compatible with Trust and national datasets.

Community engagement
• Build strong working relationships with Day Boat Operators, their crew members, and other local stakeholders to support consistent messaging to visitors.

Marketing & Communications
• Enthusiastically promote awareness and understanding of the role that NTS plays in protecting and caring for Staffa and wider work across Scotland.
• Regularly update and contribute positive stories to NTS social media and other communication outlets relevant to Staffa.

Learning
• Assist with educational and other outreach activities on site or to the local community and to communities of interest, including for volunteers.

Other responsibilities
• Ensure that all activities undertaken are compliant with the Trust’s health and safety policies and procedures including the Safe System of Work, Visitor Safety in the Countryside, and environmental policy and practices, mindful of impacts on people and environment.
• Contribute knowledge and experience to projects and management decisions within the NTS Plan for Nature.
• Provide occasional support to Mull & Iona Ranger Service with projects and activities across the south west of Mull, Burg or Iona.
• Criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) checking and clearance essential for safeguarding of children/vulnerable adults. The role is one for which the duties/responsibilities/accountabilities of the role will require staff to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications

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.

Experience

Essential
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact positively with a wide range of people in person and through other written or visual forms.
• Ability to implement work in a lone working and challenging environment, and within a small team.
• Willingness to initiate conversational relationships with visitors and community partners, be approachable and welcoming.
• Excellent organisational, time-management skills with the ability to prioritise and be flexible according to weather and changing demands.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office and social media.
• A sound knowledge of issues affecting the conservation and management of Scotland’s environment (landscapes, habitats, and wildlife).
• Proven track record of delivering visitor experience within a countryside context.
• Experience of managing safety in the countryside.
• An understanding and commitment to the aims and objectives of the National Trust for Scotland.
• Living the values of the National Trust for Scotland and encouraging colleagues to do the same.

Desirable
• Knowledge of and interest in the cultural and natural history of the Hebrides.
• Working knowledge of ecological survey and monitoring techniques.
• Practical land management and maintenance of small-scale rural estates infrastructure.
• Ability to think and act quickly when confronted with emergencies.
• Up to date First Aid certificate.

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

Scale
• The post holder will be the main NTS presence and point of contact on Staffa and will work within a small team comprising the Property Manager; the Ranger for South Mull, Burg, Iona and Staffa; the Visitor Services Assistant (Iona Shelter Caretaker) and a number of volunteers.

People Management
• No line management responsibility but will be required to supervise volunteers on occasion.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with Day Boat Operators, visitors, NTS staff (local team and other technical/specialist advisory colleagues), contractors, residents and businesses in around the SW Mull and Iona area.
• Will have regular interaction with members of the public of all ages and abilities. Staffa attracts around 100,000 visitors each season.

Finance Management
• Collection of cash and with local Ranger accurately account for daily amounts within Trust Cash Handling Guidelines and Policies.
• Assist in making the best use of resources and ensuring best value.
• Contribute to the income of the Trust through recruiting new members and encouraging donations.
• This role is not a budget-holder.

Travel and Wellbeing
• Travel to Staffa will be from Iona or Fionnphort and will be provided by local boat operators.
• NTS will provide branded high viz outer vest and outerwear and footwear appropriate for the Staffa environment.
• NTS will provide a tented shelter on Staffa for use in inclement weather and for the storage of equipment, clothing and other appropriate materials approved by the NTS Ranger.
• The ranger will be supplied with a Spot Locator and mobile VHF to enhance safety that will be enabled at all times when delivering the above Service.

Place in organisational structure:

The Purpose, Context, Key Responsibilities, and Person Specification 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.

CONTEXT

Fossil hunter, folklorist, man of faith, stonemason, geologist, editor, writer and social justice campaigner – Hugh Miller was one of the great Scots of the 19th century. His quests and writings have left a huge legacy of knowledge, but as these two adjacent properties testify, he came from ordinary beginnings.
The thatched cottage where Hugh was born in 1802 was built by Hugh’s great grandfather – a pirate! The cobbled courtyard adjoining the cottage was an external working space. Next door, the handsome Georgian villa, now an interactive museum, was built by Hugh’s father – its distinctive central spiral staircase winds around a ship’s mast.
Outside, Miller’s Yard: Garden of Wonders is a sheltered corner – the perfect spot to sit and take a breath of fresh air.
The VSM is responsible for all things Visitor Experience, including Welcome, Housekeeping, Retail, Events and Collection Care, and Holiday Letts.

KEY PURPOSE

The VSM will be responsible for the operational delivery of the visitor experience at HMC, including Welcome, Housekeeping, Retail, Collection Care and Holiday Cottages. Delivering performance standards and targets to ensure enjoyment of the property by visitors and members is maximised and key commercial, financial and development objectives are achieved to make the property fully sustainable. The VSM is responsible for delivering an overall visitor service strategy, promoting good communication.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Staff and volunteers – (recruitment, induction, development, motivation, performance management) such that they are fully equipped and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards and that staffing budgets are adhered to;
• Instill a Health & Safety culture across the property, ensuring the team work within the property’s ‘Safe System of Work’ to reduce risk of incidents and accidents to volunteers, employees and visitors.
• Budgets – (setting, phasing, monitoring, reporting, pro-active and re-active adjustments together with the Operations Manager) to ensure that the welcome, retail and events department finances are sustainable within the context of the wider property budgets;
• Create a culture of ‘exceptional service, every time’, delivering high standards of customer experience and a consistently warm welcome to everyone.
• Driving the welcome, retail & events departments to achieve their financial targets, maximising income and profitability, using the Trust’s procedures and instructions. You will strive to be efficient and ensure cost effectiveness in all the work you do.
• Managing the Collection at HMC ensuring that it cared for and conserved in line with the Trusts strategy and responsibilities, including Museum Accreditation.
• Overseeing the Holiday Cottages ensuring that turn rounds and presentation are of highest standards in line with the standards of NTS.
• You will ensure high standards of presentation across the properties.
• Taking responsibility for opening and closing and security of buildings, and security of collections, as well as emergency procedure implementation, duty management and providing relief cover as required;
• This role is one for which the duties/responsibilities/accountabilities of the role require you to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which replaces the ‘Enhanced Disclosure’ check and is administered by Disclosure Scotland.

People Management
• Daily interaction with customers/clients (including members, visitors, coach and tour organisers).
• Line management responsibility for temporary VSA’s, housekeepers, gardeners and volunteer management’

Finance Management
• Has management responsibility of all HMC budgets/
• Is responsible for managing staffing costs within the departments as per delegated budgets.

Tools/equipment
• Access to desktop PC and relevant IT systems, i.e. standard NTS management systems including Intranet, T:Drive, Core HR, CRM, EPOS.
•

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

The above outlines the key skills the post-holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either knowledge of or experience in the following is required:

Essential
• Direct experience of managing within a busy visitor services environment;
• Possess excellent communication skills (written and oral);
• Experience and understanding of finance management; i.e. budget control, cash management and reporting statistics;
• Computer literacy with excellent ability on MS software;
• Excellent leadership and influencing skills
• Well-developed time management and organisational skills;
• Ability to display a real passion for customer service;
• Experience of recruiting and managing volunteers

Desirable
• Experience within a heritage or tourist attraction.
• Current First Aid certification (or willingness to train and use).

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
Ben Lawers NNR is the most important mountain area in the UK for rare arctic-alpine plants, some of which occur in few other locations. It is also a popular recreational destination, with over 40,000 visitors a year heading for the summits. The programme of conservation management includes footpath work and pioneering habitat restoration.
We are looking for a Seasonal Ranger to be an enthusiastic and effective part of the ranger service, contributing to the smooth operation and conservation management of Ben Lawers NNR. You must have a good general knowledge of natural history and conservation, especially of upland flora & fauna, experience of practical countryside management, and good communication skills to join our close-knit team. You will carry out maintenance and repair of upland footpaths and other infrastructure such as fences, contribute to the delivery of habitat restoration and supervise volunteers assisting with these tasks, and engage with visitors.
The role is a physical one, requiring walking to worksites, some at high altitude, with appropriate tools. Work may be alongside other staff and volunteers but there will be a requirement for lone working.
The role will be ambassadorial, building awareness and support for the National Trust for Scotland leaving those you meet with a desire to respect, protect, and enjoy the special natural environment and an understanding of how they can help to contribute their support to the property.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Estate management
 Carry out practical tasks, including maintenance and repair of footpaths, fences, stiles and other infrastructure, vegetation clearance, habitat management such as tree planting, seed collecting and tree nursery work.
 Assist with property patrols, litter clearance and monitoring the use and condition of footpaths and infrastructure to prioritise the programme of maintenance.
Visitor Engagement
 Actively and positively engage with visitors while carrying out practical tasks to raise and improve public awareness of key issues including footpath erosion and landscape protection, habitat restoration, responsible access and promoting the Trust.
 Assist with delivery of the events programme by leading guided walks and educational events.
Other duties
 Assist with other areas of property work, such as biological monitoring, if/when necessary.
 Seek to minimise our environmental impact through sustainable working practices and sensitive use of power, equipment, transport, and other resources.
Working together
 Support a strong health & safety culture by complying with the property’s Safe System of Work to safeguard yourself and colleagues.
DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB
People Management
 Engage with visitors.
 Liaise with other property and other Trust staff and volunteers.
 Supervise volunteers assisting with delivery of practical estate management.
Finance Management
 Not a budget-holder but will be expected to take responsibility for effective management of Trust resources in allocated areas.
Tools/Equipment
 Will be frequent user of tools, machinery, vehicles, and equipment subject to appropriate training.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
The above outline the core skills and experience necessary to fulfil the role. In addition, the following is required:
Qualifications, skills and experience
Essential
 Qualification, or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
 Good general knowledge of natural history and conservation, especially related to the uplands.
 Hands-on experience of practical estate management.
 Competence in hillcraft to be self-reliant working safely on steep ground, at up to 1200m and in varying weather.
 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to engage positively and productively with visitors, volunteers and colleagues.
 A current, valid driving licence.
Desirable
 Experience of working with volunteers.
 Experience/certification for use of machinery/vehicles such as strimmer/brush cutter, power barrow and sit in ATV.
 Experience of lone working.
 Current First Aid certification.