JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title
Job Title: Reculver Visitor Centre Manager
Function: Visitor Centres: People engagement
Responsible to: Business Manager (Visitor Services)
Responsible for: Assistant Visitor Centre Manager and Volunteers
Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent Wildlife Trust is one of the largest of the 47 Wildlife Trusts, which together make up the Wildlife
Trusts Partnership. We are supported and governed by our 30,000 members, and have the simple aim
of protecting Kent’s wildlife for the future. To this end, we own or manage some 65 nature reserves
covering over 8,100 acres; we campaign and lobby politicians, decision makers and landowners to
ensure site protection and good habitat management; and we run a full programme of education work
with schools, colleges and adult groups. The Trust also has five Visitor Centres.
The Trust operates from its headquarters at Tyland Barn, just north of Maidstone. The 90 professional
and support staff work within five sections of Reserves, Conservation, Policy & Evidence, People
Engagement, Marketing and Membership, Finance and Support Services.
This is a partnership role, being the face of Canterbury City Council and Kent Wildlife Trust at Reculver.
Reculver is a special place for people, heritage and wildlife, and the role of the Visitor Centre Manager
is to promote all the aspects above for the visitors, as well as act as a central point to supply and
disseminate information to the local community.
Canterbury City Council own the Country Park and the Visitor Centre. Canterbury’s vision for the area is
set out in the recently published masterplan document.
Visit our website to see the range of our activities – www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk and
www.canterbury.gov.uk/countryside
Job Purpose
The post holder will work closely with the Kent Wildlife Trust Business Manager based at Tyland Barn,
the Education Officer based at the Visitor Centre, Canterbury City Council, English Heritage and the
Canterbury Area Warden.
This is a post which will use to the full a broad mixture of skills built on wide, hands-on experience.
The post holder will play a key part in delivering the Visitor Services strategy at Reculver Visitor Centre,
increasing visitor numbers, growing commercial income, recruiting and training volunteers, recruiting
members and maximising the visitor experience.
This position is a permanent part time position. The average hours per week for this role are 17.46
working on an annualised hours contract totalling 908 per annum. The Visitor Centre will be open in
2016 from March 5th to March 20th weekends only, from March 25th to September 4th the Visitor Centre
is open 6 days per week (closed Wednesday). The Centre Manager will work to a fortnightly rota,
averaging 5 days per week, with every other weekend off. From September 5th until the end of October
the Centre will move back down to weekends only, and will be closed throughout November and
December 2016. This would be the second year that the Centre will operate an extended opening
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JOB DESCRIPTION
during the spring/summer period, and a review with stakeholders was conducted in November 2016 to
determine the opening pattern for 2017.
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Principal Duties
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To be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Reculver Visitor Centre and shop
including organising and supervising volunteer helpers. To act as a main point of liaison with
partners Canterbury City Council and English Heritage in the delivery of the Visitor Centre
objectives with reference to the overall Visitor Service Strategy.
Day to day management of the Visitor Centre
a. Consistently creating a welcoming environment for the visitor by greeting and assisting,
as well as quickly responding to customer enquiries and needs. This will involve using
knowledge of the local area and the work of Kent Wildlife Trust in Reculver, as well as
serving customers on the floor, and using retail experience to look for add-on and
upselling opportunities.
b. Responsible for the daily upkeep of the centre, the immediate environs, with daily checks
for the Reculver Towers.
c. Overall responsibility for managing the log provision for the Centre with the Canterbury
Area Warden
Sales/membership
a. To ensure that retail and catering sales are maximised and that KPI’s on sales and
margin are achieved.
b. To work with the Business Manager to develop sales strategy based on local and core
range product.
c. To work at all times to achieve the very best gross profit margin.
d. To recruit new members to Kent Wildlife Trust and develop contacts for marketing to
follow up with.
e. To maintain the Centres stockholding accurately via the Trusts EPOS system.
Information Point
a. To act as a Trust and Council representative and central point for disseminating
information to and from local residents and businesses and the council and its
contractors (e.g. instances of littering, vandalism or need for repair of items in the centre
and country park)
b. To maintain a stock of free leaflets to promote local cycling and walking opportunities
and other sites and items of interest for visitors (supported by the council’s Tourism
team)
c. Promote membership of Kent Wildlife Trust at all times
d. Gather names and addresses of visitors for future mailings
Volunteers
a. To ensure that a monthly volunteer rota is drawn up in good time and that there are
sufficient volunteers to staff the Centre during its advertised hours of opening.
b. To induct and train new Centre volunteers and monitor their work.
c. To motivate and support Centre volunteers in their work.
Special Events
a. To liaise with Trust staff, volunteers and others in the organisation of special events and
meetings at the Centre, providing help and support where appropriate or practicable.
b. To support the annual opening of the Towers to the public.
c. To work with the Trusts Events Officer to help plan, market and manage a series of
events throughout the spring and summer.
Visitor Safety/Centre Security
a. To monitor the Centre for any potential hazards which may affect the safety of visitors
and to take appropriate action.
b. To have responsibility for the safekeeping and recording of cash receipts from sales and
other money and the protection of sales stock.
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c. Shared responsibility for the locking-up and general security of the Centre with other site
staff.
d. Regular recording of fire testing
e. Updating of Risk Assessments for the Centre and public events
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Skills, Qualifications & Experience
The post holder will have:
Essential
Experience of delivering high standards of customer service. Whilst always
looking to improve the visitor experience by working with his/her line manager
and colleagues across the organisation.
X
Ability to work with, induct and motivate volunteers.
X
Experience of stock sourcing and purchasing.
X
Experience of using and managing EPOS systems, including proactive
inventory management and experience of EPOS sales reporting functionality.
X
Ability to work to agreed budgets and targets.
X
Experience of record keeping and the security of cash.
X
Good communication skills at all levels.
X
Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation
X
Knowledge of and interest in the geological, archaeological and historic
aspects of Reculver.
Desirable
X
Whilst knowledge of wildlife conservation is not essential, candidates need to
have a sympathy with the overall aims of the Trust.
XX
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Other Considerations
1. The post is advertised as a part-time post but flexible, part-time arrangements will be considered providing
that they apply throughout the year.
2. The post is offered on a continuing contract.
3. Appointment will be subject to a six month probationary period.
4. No person shall be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital
status, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, colour, age or disability.
5. Appointment is conditional upon receipt of satisfactory references.
6. The Trust operates a no smoking policy
7. Kent Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunities employer and applicants for staff vacancies shall be shortlisted for interview and appointed purely on the grounds of their suitability for the post as laid out in the
advertised job description (subject to 5 above).
8. All staff share a common duty to recruit members and volunteers and enhance the good reputation of the
Trust whenever the opportunity arises
9. KWT aims actively to enhance, wherever possible, the opportunities for people disabled people to
experience, understand and enjoy the natural environment. All staff share the responsibility in achieving
this. Further information is available from the Head of People Engagement.
10. Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all staff have a legal responsibility to:
- Take all reasonable care of their health and safety while at work
- Ensure as far as reasonably practicable the safety of other persons, whether other
employees or members of the public, who may be adversely affected by their own
actions.
- Co-operate with the Trust to enable it to discharge its obligations satisfactorily.
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Employment Package
All posts within the Trust operate within pay bands. The relevant band for the Visitor Centre Manager post is
Points 5 to 11 on the Trust salary scale. At full time rates these are £17,893 to £22,732 with annual
increments. Part time workers are paid on a pro rata basis. The point on the scale at which applicants start
will depend on skills and experience. Finances permitting, these bands are updated once a year to allow for
the rate of inflation. Incremental rises also happen annually depending on available finances and
performance.
The working hours are 908 per annum with an annualised average of 17.46 hours per week, which will involve
some evening and weekend working. Some flexibility will be possible within the demands of the post. Overtime
is not paid, but time may be taken off in lieu. The KWT holiday allowance for full time workers is 23 days a year
plus 8 days’ statutory holidays.
After 3 months in post, eligible staff will be automatically enrolled into a workplace pension scheme. Trust will
contribute 9% of gross salary provided the employee contributes a minimum of 4%.
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Procedure for Applicants
Applications
Applicants should read the Guidance Notes carefully before completing the application form – clearly and
in black ink please (for copying purposes). Please DO NOT send your CV.
If you wish to discuss this post, please telephone Joe Gluck 01622 662012
The closing date for applications is mid-day on Monday 1st February 2016
Interviews
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 10th February and will include a short presentation and interview.
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