Full Time

KEY PURPOSE
The role of the Ranger will combine responsibilities on nature conservation, visitor services, learning and community engagement and contribute to the delivery of the National Trust for Scotland’s conservation and operational objectives on the Isle of Canna.
CONTEXT
The Isle of Canna is one of a group of islands known as the Small Isles situated 19 miles off the coast of the nearest mainland port of Mallaig, Western Scotland and is owned and managed within the Trust’s Highland & Islands regional portfolio. The island is unique in both its natural and cultural heritage, welcoming approximately 10,000 visitors per year to explore and experience its rich archaeological sites, marine environment, wildlife, and cultural and natural history.

The Canna Ranger role offers a unique opportunity within a vibrant community and is positioned to provide an ‘on the ground’ support function to the island and carry out specific surveys and monitoring to safeguard the island natural culture in alignment with the Trust’s conservation plans.

Overall, this will be in pursuit of the following outcomes for and with the natural heritage cared for by the National Trust for Scotland:

• Visitors and learning: Enable more people to experience cultural and natural heritage more often, get more out of it & put more back into it.

• Habitats: Protect the landscapes in our care and associated marine habitats as part of ecologically healthy habitat networks where natural processes predominate and help combat climate change.

• Our voice: Use evidence and practice from our natural heritage properties to support our voice in advocating for natural heritage.

• Communities: Work with communities living on or close to our land or with an interest in our land so that they collaborate with us to help achieve our natural heritage outcomes.

• Built heritage: Protect the built and archaeological heritage in our care and use them to help us explain the “habitats” outcome and achieve the “visitors” outcome.

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Combine responsibilities across the following areas of work by facilitating and overseeing daily the work of others, i.e., visitors, contractors and volunteers
• Nature conservation.
o Survey wildlife and countryside habitats and feed this knowledge into projects and management decisions.
o Maintain and manage habitats, wildlife, and countryside estate infrastructure on a day-to-day basis (e.g.: paths, gates, signs, vegetation management) to achieve ecological, visitor service and safety outcomes.
o Monitor and survey various conservation initiatives, e.g., Biosecurity for Life, AECS Rabbit Surveys, Corncrake studies.
• Visitor Services.
o Provide information to visitors to encourage and help people get more out of their engagement with natural heritage and give more back to it including “upselling” (e.g.: of membership, guided tours, specific events) using face-to-face presentation and/or by other means of interaction such as social media.
• Community engagement.
o Communicate with local stakeholders, businesses, local / regional agencies, and others to increase understanding of their and our aims and develop collaborative working relationships/partnerships to help deliver the Trust priorities.
• Learning.
o Provide educational and outreach activities and develop an events programme on site or to the local community to promote the island’s cultural and natural heritage and to communities of interest including for volunteers.
• Other responsibilities specific to the role.
o Management of practical conservation and wildlife recording.
o Develop and deliver visitor safety in the countryside.
o Engagement and involvement with projects as required.
o Embody the Trust’s values.
o To work with the property Operations Manager to meet business needs for the island.

OTHER DUTIES
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.

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

People Management
 Day to day responsibility for engagement with visitors, contractors and volunteers working within the property portfolio as required.
 Will liaise with other property colleagues, contractors, and the local community and will have some interaction with other technical/specialist advisory colleagues based in other locations and departments.

Finance Management
• Not a budget-holder but will be expected to take responsibility for effective management of Trust resources in allocated areas.
• Ensure all general administrative tasks are undertaken efficiently, effectively, and timeously.

Tools/Equipment
• Will be frequent user of machinery, tools, vehicles, and equipment subject to appropriate training.

Physical Environment
• Responsibility for implementing the Trust’s “Health & Safety Policy”, being mindful at all times of the health and safety of self, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Responsibility for working in a manner mindful of the Trust’s environmental obligations in working towards reducing the impact on the island in relation to efficient use of water/heat/light, recycling, and waste disposal, considered use of transport.

KEY PURPOSE:
The role of the Gardener will be to ensure that the gardens and policies of the Isle of Canna are managed and maintained contributing to the property’s overall conservation and development initiatives. Primarily with a focus on the continued development and maintenance of Canna House Garden the role will encompass garden maintenance at other Trust properties on the island – e.g. Tighard Guest House, Caslum and general garden maintenance throughout the island estate.

CONTEXT
The Isle of Canna is one of a group of islands known as the Small Isles situated 19 miles off the coast of the nearest mainland port of Mallaig, Western Scotland and is owned and managed within the Trust’s Highland & Islands regional portfolio. The island is unique in both its natural and cultural heritage, welcoming approximately 10,000 visitors per year to explore and experience its rich archaeological sites, marine environment, wildlife, and cultural and natural history.
The Canna gardener role offers a unique opportunity within a vibrant and dynamic community and is positioned to provide an integral resource to support the day-to-day operational requirements within the garden activity on island.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for the practical maintenance of Canna House Garden including but not limited to:

• Managing trees and shrubs; removing dead and damaged plants; turf care; pest/disease/weed control; composting and soil improvement; hard landscaping; path care to the required standards expected by the Trust and for the maximum safety of and enjoyment by visitors.
• Managing the interesting and eclectic collection of Heritage apple and pear tress within Canna House and Tighard gardens.
• Continue to maintain the garden vegetable plots and provide produce for the island shop, community, and café.
• Responsible for the general garden maintenance across the island – Tighard Guest House, Caslum and general garden maintenance of the island churchyards.
• Contributing to the management, conservation, and development of Canna House Garden by maintaining appropriate plant records and labels.
• Contribute to the Canna House Garden Interpretative Plan.
• Ensure all equipment is maintained within Health & Safety Guidelines
• As requested, assisting with education /interpretation activities such as introductory talks and guided garden walks.
• Fostering positive relationships with the local community, promote the work of the Trust, and actively seek opportunities to increase Trust membership.
• Contributing to the review and development of property action plans and operational work plans and budgets for the garden;
• Ensuring compliance with the Trust’s Health, Safety, and Environment policies and procedures.
• Horticulture/ Commercial forestry/General estate works of amenity woodland and specimen trees, thinning, felling and general estate management (pathways, ponds, sluices etc.)
• Supervision of volunteers.
• Produce monthly garden reports to Operations Manager.

JOB PURPOSE

You will be responsible for the operational delivery of the café and shop at Branklyn Gardens. 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. You will be part of a broader management team responsible for delivering an overall visitor service strategy, promoting good communication across the site and a joined-up service provision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Visitor Catering and Retail Experience
 Overall responsibility for the management and delivery of the catering and retail facilities at Branklyn.
 Responsibility for setting rotas and managing volunteers in the catering and retail areas along with the input of timesheets.
 Ensuring innovative ideas and current trends in catering are constantly being delivered in all outlets on site.
 Setting objectives and being responsible for the overall, day-to-day running of the operations.
 Leading and managing a team of staff; managing performance, recognising training needs and potential as appropriate.
 Managing budgets – ensuring that, as a minimum, the financial targets agreed with the Operations Manager are met.
 Work with a specialist to devise, cost and source menu items and consistently looking at ways of maximising income through effective purchasing and creative merchandising.
 Regularly monitoring customer feedback, Mystery Visitor and Visit Scotland Audits and develop suitable action plans based on the results.
 A good knowledge of baking to ensure the consistency of home baked goods on offer in the tearoom.
 Being visitor/customer focused by being visible, approachable, and quick to exceed expectations in fulfilling customer needs.

Health & Safety, Food Safety, the Environment
 Ensuring that the operation meets statutory requirements of Health and Safety, Food Safety and Environmental legislations and procedures.
 Conducting Food Safety and Health and Safety Risk Assessments and ensuring that all standards and procedures with regards to Hygiene and Safety are established.
 Recording and reporting all accidents within the location, adhering to location and company procedures.
 Ensuring all equipment is well maintained and is in good working order.
 Making recommendations for renewal and replacement of equipment when required.
 Establishing and maintaining location cleaning schedules.
 Ensuring that all Trust procedures and work instructions are fully understood and practiced by all employees.
 Promoting and encouraging environmental improvement initiatives as appropriate within the business.

General Responsibilities
 Managing food and beverage and retail operations including the following:
o staff and volunteers (recruitment, induction, development, performance management) such that they are fully equipped and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards.
o budgets (setting, phasing, monitoring, pro-active and re-active adjustments) such that finances are sustainable within the context of the wider property budgets.
o health, safety and the environment in line with stated Trust policies and approaches to ensure the health and welfare of staff/volunteers and visitors.
o recognition of the Trust’s Environmental Policy with respect to sustainable activities, including energy and water use, recycling, use of “environmentally-friendly” products for e.g. cleaning regimes, food-miles and waste etc.
o daily, weekly, yearly and longer-term operational workplans and reporting in the context of the properties’ statements of significance, budgets and action plans (and contribution to these action plans) to ensure that activities are prioritised and planned to optimise the use of resources.
o administration to enable all activities within the post holders’ remit to be undertaken and recorded efficiently within Trust policies and procedures.
o To be responsible for admissions and membership sales
o To ensure compliance with personal and staff training requirements
 Undertake other duties as and when required to support the overall operation of Branklyn Gardens as instructed by the Operations Manager.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications

Essential
 To hold, or, have the ability and willingness to hold a Scottish Personal Licence Holder’s Certificate and Personal Licence.
 A full clean driving license valid for the UK and access to a vehicle suitable for use on Trust business (with appropriate business insurance).
 To hold, or, have the ability and willingness to hold a PVG disclosure.

Desirable
 A hospitality or events qualification or equivalent experience.

Experience

Essential
 Experience of catering and retail management.
 Used to an ethos of target-driven assessment, with demonstration of results.
 Significant previous experience in a customer facing, service environment.
 Significant experience managing, leading, coordinating and developing a team with varying remits and professional competences.
 Previous experience of developing projects for specific areas of work/ improvement.
 Demonstrable skills in successful budget and financial management, combined with clear evidence of commercial awareness and previous sales experience.
 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and confidence in dealing with a wide range of staff, visitors and other stakeholders, with a friendly, confident manner.
 Experience in managing people and projects within a complex stakeholder environment.
 Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications: Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
 Ability to manage time efficiently and effectively in an environment of changing priorities.

Desirable
 An understanding and experience of food and beverage and retail operations within an historic/heritage environment.
 A genuine understanding of, and belief in, the work of the National Trust for Scotland.

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 light 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.

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.