An opportunity for a Full Time Instructor/Trainee Instructor for The Scaladale Activity Centre
An enthusiastic resourceful person is sought to assist the manager of The Scaladale Centre, Isle of Harris; a busy outdoor activity centre and hostel owned and run by Lewis and Harris Youth Clubs Association (LHYCA).
Have you:
1. Experience and/or qualifications in a range of outdoor activities?
2. Enjoyed working with young people in any setting before now?
3. High standards for housekeeping and hospitality?
4. A ‘can do’ attitude and some practical maintenance skills?
If so, please apply even if you have no outdoor qualifications and are willing to learn. We are looking for someone dedicated to working with young people in the outdoors. The post will include a tailored training plan.
Required: Full driving license and access to vehicle. PVG clearance. References
Salary £17,500-£19,200 PA dependent on qualifications. 35 hour week. Above minimum pension scheme. No accommodation provided.
Questions? Contact 07828528247 to ask for full job role and person spec.
Send CV and covering letter to info@scaladale.co.uk closing date 14/07/22
Person Specification
Qualifications:
Required:
· 16 hour First Aid for the Outdoors
· Clean full driving license with access to vehicle
· PVG clearance
Desirable:
· D1 endorsement on driving license
· Any UKCC or SCA paddlesports instructor, coach, or leader qualifications
· Relevant water rescue qualification
· Mountain Training hill or mountain leader qualification (s)
· RCI or Climbing Wall Instructor
· Archery Instructor
· Dinghy Instructor
· Power Boat level 2 with or without commercial endorsement
· Youth work qualifications
· Hospitality qualifications
Experience sought:
· Basic IT skills including Outlook and social media.
· Regular participation in any outdoor activity(s).
· Hospitality such as holiday cottage changeover or hotel work.
· Working with youth, church, or school groups.
· Working within tourism or with visitors to the island.
· Housekeeping or building maintenance/caretaking.
Abilities/Qualities sought:
Strong communicator (Ideally in both English and gaelic), face to face, telephone, written, e-mail and social media.
Self-motivator
Tactful and constructive approach to:
· Clients, group leaders and young people
· Grant providers
· LHYCA voluntary committee members
· General public and media
Ability to learn and apply successful approaches to:
· Working with youth
· The voluntary sector
· A residential centre
· An outdoor activity centre
Full Time Instructor Scaladale Activity Centre
Job and Situation Description
The Scaladale Centre is a purpose built outdoor centre surrounded by beautiful Hebridean hills, lochs and sea. Visit Scotland’s grading scheme gives it 4 stars as a hostel as it provides excellent self-catering facilities for groups of up to 28 with activity instruction bookable all year round.
Scaladale is owned and run by the charity LHYCA for the benefit of local young people and the wider community. The main aim for the outdoor centre is to connect the local young population with their outdoor environment and the opportunities it holds for their future employment and leisure on the island. Since receiving a Commonwealth Games legacy fund grant for sustainable development in 2014 the centre has been aiming to employ 2 full time members of staff on a permanent basis, with further part time staff being funded by specific projects such as the current Young Leader project, which was initially funded by Youth Scotland, then Lottery Young Start, and now by Robertson Trust.
In addition, the centre usually employs a qualified seasonal instructor during the busy summer season. As such the post holder will be a prominent member of a small team.
The Scaladale Centre receives no subsidy from the public sector and although the centre is well used, it does not bring I enough revenue to pay for all the staff needed. It relies on grant funding for specific projects to swell the team and help the centre achieve its aims for the local young people. It is therefore a priority for all staff to assist the manager in developing the range and scope of activities provided by Scaladale to all clients: groups and individuals, residential or non-residential.
The job description is comprised of the following elements:
1. Act as a lead or assistant instructor in a wide range of activities, as directed by the centre manager. To provide instruction to groups and individuals as required in activities for which the post holder is suitably qualified. (This can include in-house site-specific training and sign off)
2. To provide or assist with providing evaluation for activities and residential stays. (Collecting feedback and acting upon it)
3. Deputise for the Scaladale manager as required.
4. Welcome groups and clients and give them the tour and instructions for use of the centre.
5. Operate both the activity and hostel booking systems in liaison with the centre manager.
6. Pass information on promptly to centre manager for invoicing and accounting purposes. If given cash by clients, record and receipt it before handing it over to the manager at the first opportunity.
7. Monitor the need for maintenance of centre building and activity equipment, using recording procedures, and pass related information to the manager promptly so that maintenance issues can be addressed in a timely manner. Undertake maintenance tasks as directed by the manager and committee members.
8. Be responsible for maintaining the spotlessly clean, tidy, safe state of the centre. This responsibility will include encouraging and supervising groups to ensure that they leave the centre spotless and in good order. It will also include undertaking cleaning and household duties.
9. Act at all times in the interests of the health and safety of centre users, yourself and members of the public.
10. Anything else that is appropriate to the remit of the post.
