Seasonal Visitor Services Officer
Job Pack
1.
Advert
2.
Job Description & Person Specification
3.
Application Form
4.
Information about Haddo House & Country Park
Please note that the formal employing body will be the Formartine Partnership Ltd on
behalf of Haddo Country Park Forum Ltd.
Haddo House & Country Park
Seasonal Visitor Services Officer (SVSO)
Fixed term Contract: 1st June – 25th September 2015
£9.77 per hour
Hours annualised (based on average of 36.25 hours per week)
Haddo House & Country Park is seeking to recruit a motivated, self-starting individual for the
summer season. The Seasonal Visitor Officer will work alongside the Visitor Officer and with
other partners and staff on all aspects of visitor and volunteer work in this busy location.
The SVSO will assist in running and planning events, carry out visitor counts and surveys,
help with press and promotions, staff the visitor information point and generally work to
improve the visitor experience for everyone visiting Haddo House & Country Park.
There will also be the opportunity to get involved in outdoor education and schools work,
wildlife monitoring and habitat surveys and/or historical research depending on the interests
and skills of the successful applicant.
This post would be ideal for someone who would like to work in events management, wildlife
conservation, or history and heritage and is seeking to increase their experience and develop
their skills and training.
The post requires flexible working hours including regular weekend work and occasional
evenings/early mornings.
Closing date:- 24th April 2015
Please return completed application forms to Diana Spencer, Haddo
House & Country Park, Methlick, Ellon, AB41 7EQ or email to
haddo@visithaddo.com
Job Description
Job Desc No:
SVSO1
Effective Date: April 2015
1.
JOB IDENTITY
POST TITLE:
Seasonal Visitor Services Officer - Haddo CP Forum Ltd
LOCATION:
Haddo Country Park
2.
JOB PURPOSE AND WAY OF WORKING
Join our team and become part of one of North East Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions. Supporting
the Visitor Services Officer you will work to promote the whole site, increasing visitor numbers and
improving the range of events and activities on offer. The job will require regular weekend working and
some early mornings and evenings.
3.
MAJOR TASKS
1. be a first point of contact for visitors, answering queries, booking events and providing information
about Haddo House & Country Park and surrounding attractions
2. assist with planning and delivering a broad range of events including nature and bush-craft, history
and heritage, school and family events, theatre and concerts. This will include the opportunity to
plan and deliver your own events during the season
3. carry out visitor surveys and regular visitor counts and input and interpret the resulting data
4. maintain visitor centre, update notices, visitor information and wildlife sightings
5. lead guided walks and talks focussing on the natural and/or historic aspects of the park
6. update online blog, website and social media
7. produce press releases, posters and advertising for events
8. recruit and manage teams of volunteers, including regular volunteers, volunteer tour leaders and
corporate work parties
9. carry out wildlife/habitat surveys and monitoring, or historic/heritage research depending on
interests and experience
10. liaise with the project partners (National Trust for Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council, Haddo Estate)
and occasionally assist with their work when required
4.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
This job is indicated by *
Haddo Country Park Forum Ltd
I
Visitor Services Officer
I
Seasonal VSO ( this post)
5.
DUTIES TYPICALLY INCLUDE:
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Planning, carrying out and analysing visitor surveys and visitor counts
Staffing the visitor centre and information point and dealing with visitor enquiries
Leading tours and guided walks around the park
Developing and running a range of outdoor events in the park
Working with volunteers to carry out practical work around the park
Updating Haddo House & Country Park website, blog and various social media
Developing contacts with event providers, special interest groups, etc. in the local community
Developing promotional material and writing press releases
Liaising with Aberdeenshire Council's Landscape Services, Ranger Service, National Trust and
Haddo Estate.
Attending Forum meetings if required.
Promote and assist in facilitating partnership working between AC, NTS, HE and third parties.
The purpose of this Job Description is to indicate the general level of duties and responsibilities
not to form an exhaustive list of detailed activities.
Person specification
Essential
1.
Working towards academic qualifications in and/or seeking a career in events
management, heritage, environment, conservation or similar discipline
2.
Self motivated and self starter with the ability to work with limited supervision
3.
Good organisational and communication skills
4.
Approachable and friendly, willing to talk to visitors of all ages and abilities
5.
Flexible in regard to working hours/days
6.
Enthusiastic and happy to take on a range of tasks above and beyond the general job
description
Desirable
7.
Educated to degree/diploma standard in heritage/environment/similar discipline
8.
Knowledge of the local area, its wildlife and/or history
9.
Experience of organising events
10.
Experience dealing with the general public on a regular basis
11.
Well developed planning and marketing skills
12.
Ability to travel (no public transport is available directly to or from Haddo)
13.
Good people management skills
14.
IT skills for website and data management.
15.
Knowledge of countryside legislation
Haddo Country Park Forum Ltd
Application Form
All information provided by applicants will be treated as confidential. Additional information
may be attached on extra sheets if necessary.
If not typewritten, please complete clearly in BLACK INK photocopying purposes.
Present or most recent employment
Employer:
Job Title:
Address:
Start Date:
Length of time in present/most recent job:
Post Code:
Notice required (or date left):
Additional Benefits/Allowances:
Brief Description of Duties Responsibilities:
Current/most recent Salary:
Previous employment (continue on separate sheet if necessary)
Employer’s Name and Address
Dates of Service
Post Title and Main
Responsibilities of the
Post Held
Qualifications (relevant to the post applied for)
Qualification/Subject
University/College
Result
Date of Award
Membership of Professional Bodies
Please give the name of the Institute/Professional Body, class of membership, method of admission and
date of joining.
Other training or experience (relevant to the post applied for)
Leisure interests: (Give brief details of interests, membership of clubs etc.)
Personal Details
Surname:
Initials:
Address:
Home Tel:
Post Code:
Business Tel:
E-mail address:
Do you hold a current Driving Licence?
Yes/No
Do you have regular use of a vehicle?
Yes/No
Statement in support of application
Please provide a statement of not more than 400 words showing how your experience and background will
support the role described
References
Please name two referees, one of them should be relevant to your current or most recent employment.
Name:
Name:
Position:
Position:
Address:
Address:
Post Code:
Post Code:
Tel No:
Tel No:
References will only be taken up for candidates short-listed for interview. However, it will be
assumed that it is in order to approach referees without consultation unless you clearly state
otherwise.
Declaration
The statements made by me in this application and on any additional sheets are true to the best of my
knowledge and belief. I am aware that if I am employed and it is found that such information is false or I
have withheld information, I may be liable to dismissal.
Signature of applicant: ……………………………………. Date………………
If this form is returned by email it will be assumed that you have accepted these terms.
Please return to
Diana Spencer
Visitor Services Officer
Haddo House & Country Park
Methlick
Aberdeenshire
AB41 7EQ
haddo@visithaddo.com
HADDO COUNTRY PARK FORUM LTD. IS A COMPANY LIMITED BY
GUARANTEE. REGISTERED IN EDINBURGH. REGISTRATION NO: SC324915
REGISTERED OFFICE: 29 BRIDGE STREET, ELLON, AB41 9AA, SCOTLAND
Haddo House & Country Park Information
Background
Haddo House and Country Park is located in rural Aberdeenshire, 19 miles north of
Aberdeen, 5 miles west from Ellon and close to the settlements of Methlick and Tarves.
Haddo comprises a grand stately home, surrounding stable block and terraced gardens
owned by the National Trust for Scotland and a 90 hectare Country Park owned by
Aberdeenshire Council.
In the period since 1980 Haddo has become established as one of the most visited venues
in North East Scotland and one of the outstanding examples of managing public access into
a sensitive historic landscape.
In 2011 Haddo embarked on a £1.8 million restoration project funded by Heritage Lottery to
restore many of the historic buildings, improve visitor facilities and increase the number of
visitors to the park. In 2014 it was awarded a Green Flag award for the Country Park and a 4
star Visit Scotland rating for the Historic House.
While Haddo is run by Aberdeenshire Council and the National Trust for Scotland, the
Haddo House & Country Park Visitor Services Officer (and seasonal VSO) is funded by a
Heritage Lottery Fund grant and works alongside both organisations, and with the
surrounding estate and other users, to promote the entire site as a single visitor experience.
The seasonal VSO will be primarily based in the park working with the full-time Visitor
Services Officer but will work alongside the staff from both partner organisations as required.
Haddo House & Country Park Overview
The NTS property includes a shop, tearoom, toilets, concert hall/theatre, exhibition space
and the main visitor centre. Haddo House itself is open for guided tours during the summer
and frequently hosts weddings and other major events. There are also terrace gardens
adjacent to the house, which are open all year round.
The surrounding country park is still largely based on the original designed landscape, with
an ornamental lake, bridges, gates and walks. There are approximately 5 miles of footpaths
and a new and extremely popular adventure play area. Within the park the Pheasantry
provides more toilets and indoor space for events. Around the park are a number of areas
suitable for marquees and outdoor events. A second café by the car park provides outdoor
catering and takeaway snacks.
Heritage Lottery Fund Regeneration Project
Haddo House & Country Park received a significant grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to
improve the existing park facilities, restore several of the historic monuments, install a new
car park, build a new adventure playground and fund a programme of events and activities.
The major capital works are now complete and the main focus is now on developing a
programme of yearly events to suit the existing visitors and attract a new range of visitors to
the park.
The seasonal VSO has a key role in contributing to the success of the various elements of
the project through helping to support & co-ordinate the events and advertising, ensuring
these reflect the wishes of current park users, and help to develop a new audience for the
park.
Visitors
Haddo House & Country Park has been open to local people since the 19th century when it
was still in private hands. Many local people have grown up using the park and have a
strong attachment to it.
Since the opening of the new adventure playground in July 2014 the visitor profile has
changed significantly and a majority of our visitors are now families with young children.
There are also a significant number of regular visitors, usually dog walkers, who come to the
park several times a week.
In 2014 Haddo had approximately 260,000 visits, an increase of 40,000 from the previous
year. Many of the visitors are happy to visit on their own terms without attending organised
events but there is an increasing demand for organised activities, especially for children and
families.
Events
Haddo hosts a full range of different events throughout the year, some run by Haddo House
and Country Park and others run by outside organisations which use Haddo as a venue.
The Rotary Club of Oldmeldrum organises an annual Easter egg hunt/family fun day which
attracts around 4000 visitors. The local Dog Rescue charity hosts an annual dog show,
North East Open Studios use Haddo as an exhibition space and a number of other
organisations hold running, cycling or other fundraising events in the park.
There are several choral and musical groups who have performances on site. Haddo
Children's Theatre produce at least one musical per year. Haddo Choral and Operatic
Society have regular operatic performances and Christmas Carol services. The Haddo Arts
Festival takes place in October.
The Scouts have a long association with Haddo and have the use of part of the Pheasantry
building in perpetuity. Scouts from all over Scotland also use this facility together with the
adjoining ‘Scout field’ for camps throughout the year.
Any new events have to work within the existing calendar and compliment the offering we
already have. Events for this summer include photography courses, bushcraft days, crafts
for kids, regular wildlife walks, a motorbike rally and a Civil War re-enactor’s camp.
Environmental
Haddo is home to many Local Biodiversity Action Plan species, including red squirrels (a
stronghold area), otters, pipistrelle and other bats, bullfinch, spotted flycatcher, song thrush
and reed bunting. Neighbouring ospreys frequent the lake and kingfishers breed locally.
Currently 86 species of bird have been recorded in the park but this is increasing rapidly as
our survey coverage increases. Mammal species include Badger, Fox, Roe Deer, Stoat and
Weasel as well as Otter. There is a roost of 800+ Pipistrelle bats in the main courtyard, a
Brown Long-Eared Bat roost in the park and Daubenton’s Bats have been recorded over the
lake.
The wildflower meadow by the lake is mostly significant for Northern Marsh Orchid and also
provides a good site for butterflies and other insects in the summer. The lawns around the
house are a stronghold for various waxcap fungi.
Designations include ‘Sites of Interest to Natural Science’ in the form of the Upper and
Lower Lakes. The presence of a wide range of habitats and species in a beautiful landscape
enhances the physical and mental well-being of the local audience.
Several areas of the park remain un-surveyed and there is opportunity to vastly increase and
improve the systems of wildlife recording.
Built Heritage
The park contains several listed buildings and a number of historic monuments, most dating
from the time of the 4th Earl of Aberdeen who significantly transformed the park in the
1870s. This includes a large memorial urn, two deer statues, the Waterloo monument and
the iconic Golden Gates.
The house, stables courtyard, Pheasantry and game larder are all listed buildings with long
and fascinating histories.
There is huge potential to use these monuments as buildings as visitor attractions and for
various research projects. There has been some archaeological work carried out around the
house and park prior to the regeneration but this is something that could also be added as a
visitor attraction or for research.
Education and Learning
Haddo provides an outstanding opportunity for schoolchildren of all ages and abilities to
learn about and study a wide range of subjects in both the natural and built environment
together with the history associated with the development of the park, the families and
individuals involved and the periods and roles they represent in national history.
Currently the number of school visits to the park is limited and primarily led by the
Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service. The park does have an educational resource park
for visiting schools and many school groups come independently without using Haddo staff.
There is significant potential to improve the education offer, including working with the
National Trust for Scotland to offer combined indoor/outdoor themed sessions for schools.