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Job Description

/ May 2015
Role: Ranger Naturalist,Culzean Castle and Country Park / Business Function: Properties & Visitor Services
Reports to:Senior Ranger/Naturalist, Culzean / Pay Band/Starting Salary: Band D: £21,750 (PRO RATA)
Location: Visitor Centre Office, Culzean Country Park, Maybole, Ayrshire, KA19 8LE / Type of Contract: Permanent /part-time (20 hours per week).
Terms and conditions:
The post is subject to the standard terms and conditions provided with the application pack.
The working hours are 20 hours per week, at such times to suit the needs of the property and will be confirmed by the line manager of the post. This will include weekend and evening working.Local accommodation may be available for rent subject to the standard terms and conditions of occupancy.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

To contribute to the management of Culzean Castle and Country Park, in line with Trust objectives, health and safety and other policies and standards for conservation, access and enjoyment. To protect and enhance the property’s natural and cultural heritage whilst facilitating access by visitors and increasing their enjoyment and understanding by means of interpretation and education.

CONTEXT

The National Trust for Scotland and CulzeanCountryPark:

The national Trust for Scotland, formed in 1931, is a charitable body which is concerned with the preservation of land and buildings in Scotland, which are of historical or natural interest. The trust has over 100 properties open to the public attracting over 2 million visitors each year. It is supported by more than 250,000 members whose subscriptions and donations form a large part of the annual income.

Formerly the home of the Marquess of Ailsa and the Kennedy family and with a history dating back to the sixteenth century, Culzean Castle and its landscaped grounds was acquired by the Trust in 1945, and is generally considered the flag-ship of Trust properties. The Country Park (the first in Scotland), extending to about 286 hectares, was formed in 1969, and is owned and administered by the Trust on behalf of the Joint Committee of representatives from South Ayrshire Council and the Trust. It is visited by around 200,000 visitors each year, who come to enjoy the wildlife and scenery, of which the gardens and woodland are an integral part. The CountryPark is open all year and the castle from April to October.

The Ranger Service is based at the visitor Centre. Its main roles are to maintain the character of Culzean by appropriate management techniques and to offer an interpretive service through the media of guided walks, three clubs, illustrated talks and general contact with the public out in the Park. The underlying purpose of the service is to manage the park by sound conservation principles and, by informing visitors and education groups, stimulate interest and appreciation leading to better use of the countryside. Achievements in this field have resulted inCulzean being awarded the Sandford Award for heritage education six times. There are five permanent rangers and five seasonal rangers, supported by a permanent administrative assistant.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Planning and operational delivery:

  • Contribute to the annual workplan for the Ranger service
  • Implement the annual workplan.

People management:

  • Work closely with the ranger team, other property staff and with a range of volunteers making sure the latter understand and are equipped to fulfill their roles to the standards required and that they feel valued, motivated, respected and supported.
  • Contribute to the training of seasonal rangers and volunteers.
  • Engage with visitors to Culzean and with the local community and interested groups both within and outwith the property
  • Contribute to the management of events.

Conservation management:

  • Assist with the upkeep and presentation of the property through patrols, advice to visitors, litter clearance and other day to day duties. Assist with the management of visitors and their safety at the property and provision and management of visitor facilities.
  • To ensure the property is presented to the standards expected by the Trust and for the maximum safety and enjoyment by visitors.
  • Develop and implement educational programmes which are compatible with the school curriculum, both primary and secondary. This will involve liaising with the school teachers to ensure the viability of programmes and producing school information sheets and back up material for use pre and post visit to give maximum benefit to the children from their visit. Also to liaise with castle learning staff as appropriate for certain programmes.
  • Produce and implement a programme of events for the Young Naturalists’ Club (6-12 year olds) and the ECOS (13-16 year olds) to encourage young people to become involved in Culzean, the NTS and the wider countryside. Furtherto organize and train a team of YNC volunteers to ensure the children are safely and correctly instructed.
  • Produce a programme of events for the Gardening and Wildlife Club to encourage older members of the community to become more involved in the property.
  • Assist with the organization of a series of events during the season to attract a wide variety of people to the property.
  • Conduct guided walks and give illustrated talks to the general public to increase their awareness of CulzeanCastle and CountryPark and the NTS. Produce a variety of media for interpretive purposes, display and advertising.
  • Carry out biological surveying to provide a basis for park conservation management.
  • Develop and implement practical conservation projects to enhance habitat and species diversity.

Business Management & Administration:

  • Ensure that all financial transactions are fully documented and administered in line with the property’s procedures.
  • Attend to the various administrative needs of the job to ensure that matters are dealt with in a timely and efficient manner
  • Undertaking supporting administration for activities, including: promotional literature, trails, newsletters and consent forms, recording and reporting of attendee numbers, accounting for income and expenditure etc.

Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E) Management:

  • At all times to work in a manner mindful of the H&S of self and others, embedding the NTS “Safe System of Work”;
  • At all times to work in a manner in line with the NTS “Environmental Policy” and being mindful of the NTS’s obligations to minimise the impact on the environment, through e.g. efficient use of water/heat/light, recycling and the disposal of waste, considered use of transport.

This role is one for which the duties/responsibilities/accountabilities of the role require the post holder 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 THE ROLE:

Technical Knowledge & Qualifications

Degree-level (or equivalent) knowledge/understanding of a natural science or at least two years practical rangering experience including environmental education.

Practical experience of habitat management and biological recording including the use of machinery, recording instruments etc.

Good broad knowledge of natural history and conservation.

A full, clean driving licence.

Good level of general IT skills

People Management

Work closely with children from pre-school upwards e.g. leading educational activities and managing the YNC, ECOS including an overnight outing for the latter.

Organise and deliver activities for the Gardening and Wildlife Club including a summer outing

Work closely with the Culzean ranger team and other property staff and a range of volunteers.

Provide training for seasonal rangers and volunteers.

Maintain relationships withrepresentatives of key organisations e.g. Ayrshire Bat Group, SWT, Red Squirrel Group, Scottish Rural College, South Ayrshire Council Scottish Natural Heritage.

Financial Management

Manage money connected with events and with YNC, ECOS, G&WC, memberships, sales and outings.

Not a budget-holder but may be asked to contribute to budget discussions.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

Essential

Experience of biological monitoring, visitor management, environmental interpretation & education, and working with and supervising volunteers.

A degree level or equivalent knowledge in a relevant subject or at least two years practical marine/coastal rangering experience.

Experience of working with external local interest groups and in community liaison.

Good communication skills and ability to articulate at various levels through a range of media.

Good organisational, time-management and problem solving skills with the ability to prioritise and re-prioritise workload to meet changing demands.

Self-motivated.

Experience of a range of practical conservation work.

Ability to work alone as well as part of a team.

A full driving licence valid for driving in the UK.

Competent user of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook and a publishing package.

Ability to think and act quickly when confronted with emergencies and to make on the spot decisions.

Desirable

Confident driver with the ability to tow and manoeuvre a trailer.

Minibus licence.

Brushcutter and strimmer certificate.

First Aid qualification.

Experience of bat survey work.

Knowledge of wildlife legislation.

Understanding of environmental issues.

The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The NTS 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 JoinUs! 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 (ie 10.00am) on 22 May 2015.Interviews are likely to take place at Culzean Castle during early June 2015.

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