Full Time

Our Visitor Experience Assistants are key members of our team who act as the first point of contact for visitors – welcoming them to the Centre, providing information on what we do and helping people to learn more about Scotland’s amazing marine wildlife and habitats. Your aim is to ensure that our visitors have a genuinely memorable experience. The role provides an opportunity to both gain experience of, and deliver, excellent customer service across our welcome point, retail, discovery experience and boat (seasonal March-October) activities. At times, you will be asked to help the wider team with café duties, so this role is never dull!

Principal duties

We are looking for enthusiastic people who enjoy proactively engaging with customers across a range of departments. You must have a desire to provide excellent customer care and a memorable experience, often in a fast-paced environment. You should have an interest in Scotland’s marine and coastal environment and environmental sustainability, although opportunities to learn more about this will be provided in the role.

General
• Welcome everyone to the Centre and provide information to them on what they can do when visiting and our wider charitable activities.
• Support the booking systems for our experience activities (boats, discovery, and events) and process admission tickets and/or refunds.
• Promote the benefits of membership and/or our Friends and wildlife adoptions schemes to visitors.
• Support our volunteer team who assist with various activities in the Centre.
• Work safely, observing all Health & Safety policies and procedures.

Experience: You will support visitors to get the most from the exhibits, interactives, and remote live cameras within our Discovery Experience, including giving information on local wildlife sightings and presentations to groups of visitors on a range of topics (training will be given).

Retail: You will assist at our Information and Retail counter ensuring that all displays and counters are appropriately stocked and presented, assisting with stock selection and management, and supporting customer sales at the till or online. This is the key point for providing general information to our customers.

Boats: you will support customers who wish to take one of our amazing wildlife boat trips by processing bookings, providing information on what they might see and managing any cancellations and refunds to customers.

Café: At peak times you will also support our café operations which will include taking and processing orders at the till, serving meals, clearing and cleaning tables and assisting in the dishwasher area.

Essential skills and experience

• Consistent delivery of a high-quality visitor experience
• Customer-focused attitude and experience
• A confident communicator – verbal and written.
• Organised with an ability to take the initiative and prioritise your work.
• A team player – adaptable and flexible to a varied working environment.
• Attention to detail and providing accurate information.
• Ability to problem-solve.
• Basic IT and maths skills.

Desirable skills and experience
• An interest in Scotland’s marine and coastal environment
• An awareness of and alignment with environmental sustainability principles and practice.

Background:
The Scottish Seabird Centre is a conservation and education charity whose purpose is “Inspiring and educating people about the Scottish marine environment, motivating them to care for it, and supporting conservation projects”. Based in North Berwick, East Lothian we overlook the marine environment in the Firth of Forth and have over 200,000 visits each year.

We have four key pillars to our work:
• Conservation we develop, practically undertake, and promote models of conservation best practice and citizen science.
• Education we deliver education programmes, science resources and events and use innovative ways to provide information on the marine environment.
• Communities we work in partnership with diverse communities including enhancing the experience for visitors to North Berwick.
• Experience we offer a 5-star, year-round visitor experience that helps people to make informed choices about the management of the marine environment.

Our charitable work is supported by our not-for-profit Trading Company Scottish Seabird Centre Limited and our 5-star visitor attraction which provides a valuable resource for members and visitors.

Our values
Our values underpin everything we do. We take pride in bringing these to life in all that we do. We are:
• PASSIONATE about Scotland’s coastal and marine environment.
• INSPIRE others to explore and care for Scotland’s coastal and marine environment.
• INNOVATE with the approaches we use to engage with people.
• COLLABORATE with local and national partners to convey the importance of Scotland’s marine environment.
• INFORMED about the current health of Scotland’s marine wildlife and habitats and the actions required to protect it.
• TRUSTWORTHY providing reliable information and acting with integrity and without bias.

Performance: To be measured against clearly defined measurable and challenging goals.

Wage: We pay above the national minimum wage rate.

Benefits
• Working for a successful conservation and education charity in a stunning location.
• Pension available.
• Training and development for everyone.
• 20% discount in the charity’s Gift Shop and Seabird Café.
• 10% discount on the Scottish Seabird Centre boat trips.
• Free entry to the Discovery Experience, for you and family members (restrictions on numbers apply).
• Free access to a range of Scottish visitor attractions with an Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions card.
• Free access/ special offers for a range of East Lothian attractions with an East Lothian Tourism Attraction Group card.

Applications: Tell us why you are keen to work with us – and when you are available – in a covering letter and attach your CV. Please send both to info@seabird.org. Applications for this role will be closed by 12 noon on the 9 May 2023 with interviews taking place before 16 May 2023.

As we are keen to recruit as soon as possible, please apply now. We look forward to hearing from you!

KEY PURPOSE

To ensure that the garden and related policies of Crarae Garden are managed and maintained as a nationally recognized gardens of 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 Crarae Gardening Team will be heavily involved in the care and maintenance of the gardens and wider designed landscapes. This is a full time; permanent post and the successful applicant must be able to drive.

CONTEXT

Crarae is one of the finest examples of an exotic Himalyan style woodland garden. Set beside the banks of Loch Fyne, this unique 40 hectare garden is planted around the glen of the steep sided Crarae burn. The garden was started by Grace, Lady Campbell in 1912 and includes a National Collection of southern beech as well as excellent examples of rhododendron, maples, mountain ash and eucalyptus.

Under the direction of the Head Gardener, with supervision from the First Gardener, and as part of the property team, you will assist with the conservation, maintenance and development of the garden and designed landscape to ensure that Crarae Garden is presented to the highest standards to its visitors and guests.

As such, we are looking for a knowledgeable and passionate horticulturist to work with our enthusiastic team of staff and volunteers and to assist with the continued development of a wide range of horticultural aspects of the garden as well as increasing the overall importance of Crarae Garden as a visitor attraction.

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. Demonstrating: self-motivation, organisation, planning, prioritisation, good time management and attention to detail;
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. Undertaking other reasonable duties as may, from time to time, be required to ensure the smooth running of the property;
5. Ensuring compliance with the Trust’s health, safety, and environment policies and procedures.
6. Fostering positive relationships with local communities and organisations and promote the work of the Trust.

SCOPE OF JOB

People Management
 Not a line manager but will, on occasion, supervise volunteers and staff under instructions from the Gardens and Designed Landscape Manager (GDLM) or Visitors Services Manager;
 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 South and West)
 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 Blowers, mowers, strimmers, 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.
 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.
 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.
 Experience of working in a mixed-team that includes short-term/seasonal staff and/or volunteers.
 PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates, or willingness to be trained in the use of pesticides and to exercise that training.
 Be willing to undertake aerial tree climbing and rescue assessments.

The National Trust for Scotland

The National Trust for Scotland is an independent charity set up in 1931 for the preservation and conservation of natural and human heritage significant to Scotland and the world. The Trust has become Scotland’s largest membership organisation and a leader in conserving and promoting the nation’s treasured places and collections so they can be enjoyed by present and future generations. The Trust’s 10 Year Strategy: Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone has recently been launched with a strong focus on caring for Scotland’s special places through best practice in conservation.

Visit: https://www.nts.org.uk/our-work/our-strategy

The Fyvie Castle and Estate Development Project

The National Trust for Scotland is commencing a programme of work to develop and conserve Fyvie Castle and its wider estate for future generations to enjoy. Fyvie is a nationally and internationally significant place, with a unique story and status that has consistently delighted and entertained its guests.

The Project’s catalyst was a conservation need for the principal building, Fyvie Castle, however, a more holistic approach to this multifaceted site is now being considered, including Old Home Farm, which is currently on the Buildings at Risk Register alongside the wider grounds and estate assets of Fyvie. To enable this the NTS engaged with a firm of specialist heritage planners and an outline masterplan and business case is in place for the whole Fyvie estate. The Project Director will be required to engage with this strategy and be the leading figure in initiating and delivering an agreed masterplan programme.

We hope that by exploring the lives of the most influential people in the history of Scotland and using its exceptional collections, buildings, and landscapes, with the Forbes-Leith’s legacy as the historical bridge and conceptual framework that Fyvie will make strong links across time and space.

Fyvie will be alive in the legacy of the Forbes-Leith era, becoming a model for the quality of its hospitality, fun and care for all its guests. It will be a place that engages diverse audiences – drawing international visitors to its award-winning experiences whilst ensuring that it is a neighbourly place for its local communities – and is embedded in their everyday lives.

Fyvie will be a place of deep, tangible impacts, inspiring ambition, and creativity in people – not just through its interpretation and curatorial activities, but also as a place where people can learn new skills for work, understand (and be involved in) cultural, technological and environmental sustainability, and realise opportunities to grow the local economy.

Project outcomes:
• The physical condition of the assets across the Fyvie estate will be considered good when reviewed under the NTS condition framework.
• Successful delivery of the masterplan for Fyvie castle and estate.
• Re-establishing Fyvie’ s rightful place in history by maximising the assets;
o The interior and exterior of the Fyvie Castle
o The garden of Scottish fruits, including garden structures and walls.
o Rejuvenation of the Racquets Court & Skittles alley
o Showcasing the Museum accredited collection within the property to provide a five-star visitor experience.
o Installing critical facilities for both visitor and staff facilities to support the operation of the site.
• Fyvie Castle will be an environmentally and financially sustainable site, demonstrating best practice within the NTS portfolio.
• The project shall prioritise the development of its audience and guest engagement and share the ‘journey’ within the NTS as well as the local community and wider community of interest.

JOB PURPOSE

This job exists to:

Lead the Fyvie Castle & Estate Development Project and to plan, coordinate, manage, review and report all client-related activity on the project. In this role you will be the representative of the Client Oversight Group who in turn report to the Trust’s Executive Committee and Board. You will develop and deliver the Project to the requirements of internal ‘Customer’: The Regional Director.

Provide leadership to a team made up of internal NTS specialists and external consultants.

Be the conduit between external communities of interest, consultant teams and internal NTS teams.

Ensure that the project is delivered to meet the needs of the National Trust for Scotland and all statutory requirements and that the project progresses and is delivered to the desired quality within programme and budget.

Manage stakeholder relations and promote the project locally, nationally and internationally.

Maximise the opportunities to deliver core NTS objectives through the project delivery and the completed Fyvie Castle site.

Ensure that the project is handed over and closed in accordance with the NTS Project Management guidance, including developing and delivering an effective ‘soft landing’ strategy, organising necessary training on systems, post project evaluation and archiving of key Project documentation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. As the agent of the NTS Client Oversight Group, you will lead the Fyvie Castle Conservation Project and deliver exemplar conservation and refurbishment that respects and preserves the original design intent, while maximising access and benefit for all.
2. Manage the project from start-up to project close in accordance with NTS Project Management processes, producing, circulating and maintaining all project controls and documentation with particular emphasis on governance, managing risk, quality, cost, programme and change. Note this activity may in due course be undertaken in collaboration with external project managers.
3. Develop the overall Project Brief in consultation with internal teams and stakeholder groups and lead the delivery of that brief on behalf of the internal Customer. The Brief will set out the aims and objectives of the Project, its budget, programme and quality standards for approval by the Trust, including but not limited to:
a. Project Management Strategy in collaboration with NTS Head of Project Management.
b. Procurement plan in collaboration with NTS Head of Procurement.
c. Operations plan in collaboration with Operational Management Team.
d. Conservation strategy in collaboration with internal NTS specialist departments and external experts and consultants.
e. Stakeholder management plan in collaboration with NTS Communications Team.
f. Fundraising plan in collaboration with NTS Fundraising Team.
g. Change management process.
h. Risk and opportunity management process.
i. A BIM enabled future maintenance strategy.
4. Continually manage and monitor project quality, budget and programme, managing change and provide early warning of damaging divergence, risks and opportunities. Take action to rectify or mitigate as required and report regularly to the Project Client Oversight Group, Trust senior leadership and Board.
5. Ensure that Project delivery is managed in a sustainable a way as possible with minimum environmental impact.
6. Develop and deliver a strategy for a ‘low carbon’ Fyvie Castle site on completion of the Project.
7. Produce specific briefing documents for consultants and contractors and develop a procurement strategy. Lead the procurement of a suitable consultant team and contractor(s) to work with internal NTS specialists to deliver the project.
8. Organise and deliver audience research and development to help guide the development and ambition of the project.
9. Consider, consult and advise on optimum contract and insurance arrangements for the Project.
10. Bring together an internal team of specialists from across the Trust, to work alongside the external consultant team to develop and deliver the project and maximise shared learning across NTS.
11. Review design team proposals and monitor standards of workmanship to ensure compliance with the project brief.
12. Manage and monitor project delivery to ensure compliance with all statutory regulation including the Client duties contained in the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 (CDM).
13. Collate and maintain the Project Risk Register and advise the Trust on the management of Project risk. Convene and chair a risk management panel to ensure full understanding of all risks and opportunities.
14. Consult, liaise, inform and negotiate at all stages of the project with the local planning and building control authority, Historic Environment Scotland and other key external stakeholders such as the CRM Society, to allow them to act as advocates for the project.
15. Represent the Project and NTS at internal, local, national and international forums.
16. Liaise with other project teams across NTS to share learning, promote continual improvement and ensure a uniformly high standard of project management.