Job Description

/ November 2014
Role: Senior Ranger, Canna / Business : Property & Visitor Services
Reports to: Property Manager, Canna (off island, based in Balnain House, Inverness) / Pay Band/Starting Salary: Band E / £25,920
Location: Canna, Inner Hebrides / Type of Contract: Permanent / full-time
Terms and conditions
The post is subject to the standard terms and conditions provided with the application pack. Accommodation will be made available at an affordable rent.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

·  to manage the delivery of a programme of key conservation work, including habitat monitoring, protection, enhancement and creation, supervising volunteers and contractors as needed;

·  to deliver visitor management/guided tours across the island to a high standard;

·  to line manage seasonal staff and volunteers within the ranger discipline;

·  to oversee the provision of holiday accommodation on the island; and

·  to line manage the pier operation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Key Purposes of the role will be to:

·  contribute specifically to the delivery of the annual Countryside Operational Plan targets, Key Performance Indicators and SNH grant requirements, producing reports on a quarterly and annual basis;

·  plan and implement practical conservation work and visitor management/ interpretation on Canna, including guided walks, provision of information and contributing articles for the website, also maximising use of other social media opportunities;

·  implement the annual survey and ecological monitoring programmes as appropriate;

·  prepare and implement annual and longer-term operational work plans in the context of the Property Statements and Annual Operating Plans to ensure that activities are prioritised and planned to optimise the use of resources;

·  oversee the delivery of holiday accommodation on the island, in conjunction with the surveyors and the central Holidays team;

·  oversee the pier operation; and

·  ensure that all activities undertaken are compliant with the property’s Safe System of Work and in line with stated Trust policies and approaches to ensure the health and welfare of staff/volunteers/visitors; ensuring that all health and safety and related emergency procedures are regularly reviewed and implemented.

Your 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.

SCOPE OF ROLE

People Management - to:

·  line manage seasonal ranger(s) and supervise volunteers (recruitment, induction, development, visitor experience standards, performance management) such that they are fully equipped and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards;

·  oversee cleaning and turnover of Trust holiday accommodation on the island and liaise with surveyors and the Holidays Department in HQ to ensure high standards of presentation;

·  oversee the contractor who delivers the Pier operation for the Trust;

·  deliver directly, or through contractors, practical maintenance tasks across the Trust’s buildings portfolio on the island, to maximise cost-effectiveness in their delivery;

·  work closely with other property colleagues and other Trust staff /advisers (e.g. in conservation, visitor services, finance, learning services and volunteering) based at the regional and central support bases to ensure Trust policies and standards are implemented; and

·  develop and maintain sound relationships with representatives of key bodies / organisations (e.g. Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland, Local Authority Area Manager, Calmac, SEPA, WWT/RSPB, local community development trust (IoCCDT), Trust tenants and neighbours).

Financial Management - to:

·  proactively manage the ranger element of the island’s revenue budget and any relevant capital projects, as delegated by the Property Manager, making the best use of resources and ensuring best value; and

·  contribute to income generation through increasing Trust membership; and

·  help secure external funding to support key work areas, in conjunction with colleagues in the central Development Team.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

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

Essential:

·  Degree (or equivalent-level knowledge) in countryside management (or similar);

·  Demonstrable experience in countryside management, environmental education and interpretation;

·  Demonstrable high levels of interpersonal and communication skills and confidence in dealing with a wide range of staff, volunteers, visitors, young educational groups and other stakeholders;

·  Good, working knowledge of Scottish habitats and species and of ecological survey and monitoring techniques;

·  Demonstrable organisational and event management skills;

·  Competent user of Microsoft Office products;

·  A proven track record in working with external bodies or stakeholders (e.g. press, local authorities, national agencies, funding partners), in working in partnership with local interest groups and in community liaison; and

·  A current driving licence, valid for driving in the UK.

Desirable:

·  A sound knowledge of the major issues affecting the conservation and management of Scotland’s environment and wildlife would be an advantage.

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.

Applications

Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources Department (Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh, EH11 4DF, by mail or by email via , by first post (i.e. 10.00am) on 8 December 2014. Interviews are likely to be held at Balnain House, Inverness in mid January 2015.

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