POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position: / Climbing Instructor
Division: / Sport & Recreation
Location: / Queenstown Events Centre
Reports to: / Recreation Programmes Coordinator
Date: / May 2016

BACKGROUND

The Queenstown Lakes District continues to be one of the fastest growing districts in New Zealand. It has a relatively small number of resident ratepayers (approximately 22,000) and experiences high visitor numbers throughout the year.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council has a significant role to play in delivering a high quality experience to residents and visitors alike – ensuring the provision of good quality local infrastructure, public services and regulatory functions at the least possible cost to households and businesses.

QLDC has a 10-year plan for the period through to 2022 which sets out its goals and how it might achieve them in an affordable manner. QLDC’s overarching outcome is the achievement of sustainable growth management. Its other key outcomes include:

·  An enabling forward-looking financial strategy that is sustainable in the long term;

·  A balanced growth strategy that promotes employment and business opportunities and supports a strong and diverse community;

·  A resilient and participating community that celebrates success, has pride in the district and its heritage and has thriving arts, cultural and sporting groups;

·  Councillors and Council staff are respected for their approach, attitude, service delivery and governance; and

·  A natural built environment that makes Queenstown Lakes District a place of choice to live, work and visit.

These outcomes and goals in turn inform QLDC’s activities and priorities.

QLDC comprises around 250 staff operating throughout the district.

PURPOSE

The Climbing Wall Instructor is responsible for ensuring the safe and enjoyable delivery of instructor supervised climbing sessions at the Rockatipu Climbing Wall. The major requirement of the Climbing Wall Instructor is to oversee the day to day operation of the wall to the highest recognised safety standards and guidelines. This is to be achieved through the control of climbing activities by the enforcement of rules, policies and preventative actions that minimise the dangerous climbing behaviours of customers.

KEY TASKS

Operational Duties

·  To supervise and control the use of the climbing wall and positively influence customer behaviour through preventative actions that provides a safe environment for all users.

·  To supervise and plan kids climbing classes with objectives, skills, safety and weekly challenges, fit for different levels and classes.

·  Work with the Recreation Programmes Coordinator to develop and run climbing programmes and events for the community and climbing groups.

·  Teach kids climbing classes professionally and safely each week. Ensuring all kids are using all climbing equipment correctly and safely.

·  Ensure that all equipment necessary to set up a session is fit for purpose including ropes, harnesses and belay devices and to report on any defective holds or safety issues relating to the operation of the wall.

·  Supervise drop in climbing sessions and ensure safety is paramount.

·  Assist in group sessions when possible.

·  Enforce Council rules, policies and maintain compliance with all operating procedures.

·  Maintain a high level of competency in climbing techniques.

·  Maintain a high personal level of competence to render first aid to patrons in need.

·  Use all equipment appropriately and report any anomalies or failures to the Recreation Programmes Coordinator.

·  Actively supervise external equipment brought in by climbers and ensure it is covered in the policy and procedures.

·  Carry out equipment inspection along with wall inspections.

·  Fill in the daily handover book with all required information.

·  Weekly safety inspection of all equipment.

·  Ensure climbing mats, equipment and gear are looked after and organised for the start of shifts

·  Facilitate in the changing of routes ensuring all safety procedures and policies are completed.

·  Assist new climbers with technique until competent belaying and climbing is signed off resulting in a current belay license.

·  Work with the Recreation Programmes Coordinator to ensure all policies, procedures and processes are developed and implemented correctly.

·  Where needed the Climbing Instructor must confident in inducting new climbing instructors into their role, ensuring they are aware of the practical requirements of the role on the wall.

Customer Service

·  Maximise public enjoyment by providing a consistent and high standard of customer service in a friendly and helpful manner, greeting customers with a smile and treating all customers of all ages with respect, and encouraging ongoing facility use.

·  Ensure dealings with the public are carried out in such a way as to promote a friendly, customer-oriented image of QLDC.

·  Ensure communication of correct ‘up to date’ climbing techniques and consistent information to customers and staff.

·  Communicate effectively and work cooperatively with all staff

·  Cultivate a professional and positive image for QLDC.

·  Be familiar with emergency procedures in order to direct patrons in the event of an emergency.

Teamwork

·  Work as a contributing part of the Facility and Health and Fitness team while subscribing to the team spirit and culture.

·  Support work practices by maintaining up to date with the latest workplace communication, systems and processes.

·  Maintain an appropriate level of fitness and practicable skills to carry out the requirements of being the Climbing Instructor.

·  Show punctuality, reliability, respect and professionalism with all work related dealings.

·  Attend staff / team meetings and training sessions as instructed that may be organised outside of regular hours.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing

·  To take all practicable steps to ensure personal safety, and the safety of others, while at work, according to the QLDC’s health and safety policies, procedures and systems.

·  Comply with the Councils health and safety policies and procedures and actively participate in health and safety activities as appropriate.

·  Take responsibility for personal actions while at work, making sure all practicable steps are taken to ensure personal health and safety, and the safety of others.

·  Report any hazards, accidents or injuries including near-misses, muscle pain and discomfort immediately via the appropriate recording form.

·  Actively participate to help form solutions for identified hazards through an elimination, isolation or minimisation hazard management process.

·  Complete the daily and weekly safety checks as well as any operational re-routing sign offs, maintenance and wall changes when needed insuring the Recreation programmes Team leader is aware of all work or changes made to the wall.

·  Ensuring that any staff or public member climbing on the wall is safe, secure and supervised at all times during supervised climbing sessions.

Proactive approach to work and additional responsibilities by:

·  The Climbing Wall team members will undertake such other duties as may be allocated from time to time by the Recreation Programmes Team Leader or General Manager Operations and accept changes in responsibilities and duties brought about by organisational change.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

·  General Manager Operations

·  Manager, Sport & Recreation

·  Recreation Programmes Team Leader

·  Queenstown Events Centre Staff

·  All QLDC staff

External:

·  Climbing Club members

·  Community users

·  One-off Climbing group hire clients

·  Youth Booth

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELEGATIONS

Financial Authority – no financial delegations

Staff Authority – no direct reports.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education

·  A current Comprehensive First Aid Certificate or be willing to sit one.

·  A current New Zealand Outdoor Instructor association (NZOIA) Rock 1, Rock 2, Alpine 2, Gym Instructor, New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA), UIAGM Mountain Guide or an overseas equivalent award is desirable.

Experience

·  Experience in the supervision of a Climbing Wall

·  Climbing experience – proven in the instruction and administration of climbing sessions, classes or programmes.

·  Experience in climbing safety techniques.

·  Experience in other recreation and leisure industry would be an advantage.

·  Experience in working with kids of different ages and abilities.

·  High level of personal and interpersonal communication skills.

·  High level of health and safety awareness and responsibility.

·  Show motivation, initiative and enthusiasm for climbing.

·  Demonstrated ability to positively communicate with, and relate well to, a broad range of people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and ages.

·  Shows ability to effectively supervise, direct and liaise with the public of all ages.

·  Demonstrated ability to positively resolve any customer issues in a sensitive and empathetic manner.

·  A reliable and contributing team member.

COMPETENCIES

Core competencies for all employees of QLDC:

Customer focus / Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; Gets first hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; Acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
Action Oriented / Enjoys working hard; is action oriented and full of energy for the things he/she sees as challenging; not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning; seizes more opportunities than others.
Drive for results / Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
Integrity & Trust / Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
Organising / Can marshal resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal; uses resources effectively and efficiently; arranges files and information in a useful manner.