Won't make you rich but not worst job in world

The remoteness and lone working sounds just up my street but from sound of it there won't be much time for birding!  They certainly don't want much from whoever gets the position, NOT.

If I'd been fifty years younger that would have been worth checking out.

 

New RSPB vacancy

Part Time Visitor Experience Assistant (Fixed-Term)
Reference:    FEB20248572
Expiry date:    23:59, Sun, 21st Apr 2024
Location:    Abernethy
Salary:    £23,401.00 - £25,122.00 Pro Rata
Benefits:    Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave
Duration:    8 months

Located in the heart of Abernethy reserve, surrounded by Caledonian pine forest and in the shadow of the mighty Cairngorms, the Loch Garten Nature Centre is one of the RSPB’s most high-profile visitor facilities, with a legacy of delivering a top-quality visitor experience spanning over sixty years. We are looking for two part-time seasonal Visitor Experience Assistants to join the team and help deliver the visitor experience at the Nature Centre.

Loch Garten is RSPB Scotland’s premier site for building support for nature conservation. It is a 7-day-a-week seasonal facility and has recently undergone a complete refurbishment which widened the focus of the visitor experience from a single species (osprey) to a wider reserve focus – in particular on the Caledonian pine forest habitat and the species which live here. We are also nearing the end of a project to bring running water to the site, which will give us better facilities for visitors and the team, including a Changing Places for those with disabilities. This represents an exciting new era for the Loch Garten Nature Centre, and we are keen to share these upgraded facilities with a wide audience, helping our visitors to connect with the nature surrounding them and growing support for nature conservation.  

As a Loch Garten Visitor Experience Assistant, you will be part of a dedicated and enthusiastic team, including visitor experience and retail, bringing the story of the forest to life for all visitors. Abernethy reserve is part of the Cairngorms Connect partnership, and you will work to ensure the partnership aims are communicated effectively and inspiringly at the Nature Centre.  

You will work with visitor experience and retail colleagues to ensure the efficient day to day running of the Centre - guaranteeing a high quality, on brand, visitor experience for all, and maintaining exceptional customer care standards. You will occasionally be asked to swap your shift to patrol the local trails in the evening with a colleague, to engage with visitors who may be wild camping, ensuring the forest and local communities are protected from visitor impacts, including wildfire.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is keen to develop and grow in visitor engagement.  

Responsibilities:

Working with colleagues to ensure the efficient and smooth day-to-day running of the Centre, upholding exceptional customer care standards.
Deliver a top-class, on-brand experience for visitors, ensuring every visitor has positive and memorable contact with the RSPB.
Proactively facilitate and enhance visits from people / groups with additional needs.
Give presentations to visitors via daily talks and occasionally help on guided walks. 
Ensure the visitor centre and environs, visitor facilities and equipment are maintained and presented to a high standard.
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

A passion for nature and conservation.
Excellent verbal communication and people engagement skills. 
A team player with the ability to also work on own initiative. 
Ability to respond to customer needs and feedback. 
Able to build and maintain strong working relationships.
Ability and willingness to work flexibly including weekends and occasional evenings.
Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

Experience of delivering a high-quality visitor offer. 
Working knowledge of Equal Opportunities & Diversity.
Health and Safety in the workplace.
Ability to travel in rural areas during work hours without reliance on public transport.
This role is based in a remote and rural location and will involve lone working, weekend and occasional evening working.  Some standby and on-call work will be required. A driving licence is desirable but not essential. 

There are two part-time roles available for 16 hours per week each. These are fixed-term for eight months and will start as soon as possible.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as suitable candidates present themselves, so please do not delay in applying. Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy, and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received.  For further information please contact rachel.dee@rspb.org.uk.