SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Visitor Services Manager – Rum
JOB CODE:
LC59
GRADE:
D
LOCATION:
Isle Of Rum
SALARY:
£21,911
STATUS:
Time-limited until 31 March 2007 with the possibility of
extension
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Reserve Manager, Isle Of Rum.
PURPOSE OF THE POST:
To provide an integrated and quality service to visitors to Rum including running the
Hostel operation located in Kinloch Castle and maintain the security of the Castle
and its contents. To provide SNH with an opportunity to disseminate its aims and
objectives, particularly those relating to the Island, to visitors.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Castle Services
1. The Manager shall ensure that adequate staff coverage is available to
provide the following services:
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Provision of meals and accommodation to guests including visiting staff and
contractors in the Hostel.
Reception of Hostel guests at pier/slip and transportation of luggage to/from
the Castle.
Registration of all guests on arrival at the Castle. Respond to all written and
telephone enquiries regarding the Castle and facilities.
Provision of a licensed drinks service within the terms and conditions of the
operating licence issued to SNH from the Licensing Authority
Provision of conducted tours of the Castle at pre-arranged times and at other
times on request. Any proposed variations to these arrangements must have
the prior approval of the Reserve Manager.
Preparation and presentation of guest accounts by day of departure detailing
all services purchased during the course of stay.
To keep the interior of the Castle and the grounds immediately surrounding
the Castle clean and presentable at all times.
To take all reasonable care for the security of the Castle and its contents (as
per Inventory) during this period and, in the event of any item being
damaged, misplaced or found missing, to report this immediately. Any
changes to the location of items as listed on the Inventory should be reported
to the Area Administrative Officer, Western Isles Area.
Preparation and forwarding of expenditure details to the Area Finance Officer
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each and every week.
Preparation and presentation of income and accommodation details in the
format agreed with the Project Finance Officer to be forwarded each and
every week during the guest season.
Ensuring effective integration of SNH provision of accommodation and
catering with facilities provided by the private sector / community.
Any other reasonable duties deemed necessary to ensure the successful
operation of the Castle including any in relation to the other functions of the
Reserve.
2. In addition the Manager will personally be responsible for:
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Meeting the financial targets set for the Castle.
Managing an agreed delegated budget for the procurement of food and
consumables and any other items required in the day-to-day running of the
Castle. To ensure compliance with all internal contractual and financial
procedures, including consideration at all times to achieve value for money.
Recruitment and supervision of all seasonal support staff within the Castle
Ensuring that all necessary health and safety measures are taken to protect
staff and visitors to the Castle.
Maintaining close liaison with the Reserve Manager on all aspects of the
Castle operation including the preparation and presentation of a summary
monthly report.
Carrying out an Inventory reconciliation check at the end of the guest season
in conjunction with a member of staff assigned by the Area.
Visitor Services
3 The Manager shall ensure a quality visitor service is provided at all times to
include: The efficient management of all SNH visitor facilities.
 Liaison with tourism operators and the Rum community to ensure that SNH’s
visitor services provision integrates with the private sector.
 Develop and implement an access strategy for the island.
 Promote customer care
 Oversee visitor safety precautions.
 Liaise with/support the Reserve Office on arrangements for events, visitor
movements, interpretation and education.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
 At least one years relevant experience in Hotel / hostel management and/or
visitor attraction management
 Excellent communication skills to deal effectively with a wide range of visitors.
 Excellent leadership skills in order to motivate staff into providing the highest
standards of customer care.
 Flexible approach
 Empathy with SNH’s work
 Experience/ Understanding of rural communities
Desirable:
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Catering experience and qualifications
Hygiene certificate
A commitment to high standards.
Strong profit awareness and control skills.
Please return completed applications to:
Hazel MacKenzie
HR Services (Inverness)
Scottish Natural Heritage
Fraser Darling House
Inverness
IV2 4AG
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 11 November 2005.
Interview Date to be arranged.
Please note that closing date has been extended and post has been extended
until March 2007.
SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE
RUM NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
GENERAL INFORMATION
Rum is one of the island group known as the ‘Small Isles’ which also includes
Canna, Eigg and Muck. It lies about 7 miles south of Skye and 16 miles east of the
mainland port of Mallaig. Rum is the largest of the group and is in the shape of a
diamond, approximately 8 miles in length and breadth. It is also the most
mountainous and the highest peaks of the Cuillin of Rum rise to over 2600 feet.
Nearly all its residents live in the village of Kinloch, which is at the head of Loch
Scresort on the east side of the island
The island contains features of great natural heritage significance and was declared
a National Nature Reserve over 40 years ago, in 1957. It is managed by Scottish
Natural Heritage, which is the government agency responsible for promoting wise
use of the land. There are many features of considerable importance on the island,
including geological and archaeological interests. There are rare species amongst its
plants and animals and it is well known as a centre for environmental research notably the study of red deer. A major woodland restoration programme is underway
and over a million trees have been planted out in recent years.
Educational use by universities and schools is encouraged, whilst hillwalking is a
major recreational activity in the spring and early summer. There are now over 10000
visitors per year coming to Rum, split roughly half and half between day visitors and
those staying for a night or more. There is a range of accommodation in Kinloch
including a campsite and bed and breakfast establishments, whilst a mock baronial
castle built at the turn of the century is currently run as a hostel and museum.
There is a wide variety of ongoing maintenance and development work and
management of the island is undertaken by a resident team of 11 employees of
Scottish Natural Heritage. The team is headed by the Reserve Manager, supported
by his Deputy who leads the team of mechanic, joiner and two estate workers; and
the Visitor Services Manager. There is also a visitor services officer and a part time
scientific officer, and administrative staff based at the Reserve Office.
These core staff, together with their wives/partners and children, the resident
schoolteacher and long-term research assistants make up a developing community
of about 30 people at present. The community is supported by a range of services
provided by itself, by SNH and by other agencies. Several venues, including the
school and Castle provide the opportunity for regular social gatherings and there is a
substantial village hall. This contains children’s play equipment and acts as an indoor
sports hall, dance floor (where the community holds regular ceilidhs for visitors), craft
shop and lecture theatre. The local minister visits monthly. The community has its
own association headed by its Chairman and is represented on the Small Isles
Community Council. The islands interact and there are annual social events held in
rotation each year.
There is a well stocked general store and post office in the village together with other
services such as a small fire fighting force, Coastguard unit and local authority
library. In addition to maintaining the school and resident teacher, the local authority
also provides health care in the form of a resident doctor on the nearby island of
Eigg. She makes regular trips to the island and may be consulted at any time by
‘phone. The doctor also authorises the issue of medicines from the small dispensary
kept on Rum.
SNH provides domestic services such as water supply, power, fuel deliveries and
waste disposal. Limitations on the power supply require wise use to avoid overloads
and electric cookers are not therefore in use. SNH provides each property with a
solid fuel Rayburn or an oil-fired boiler for hot water and central heating. Some staff
are entitled to an annual allowance of coal or oil. Due to the condition of the roads
and the need to keep vehicular use to a minimum it should be noted that private cars
are not currently permitted on the island, though this situation is currently under
review. Private vehicles may be kept for a small charge at the local mainland garage
in Morar (3 miles south of Mallaig). Domestic pets may be kept by full-time residents
though, because of environmental issues, SNH reserves the right to refuse certain
species and must be advised in advance of proposed pets. In particular, all cats
must be neutered.
Transport is by the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, ‘Loch Nevis’ (passenger only) from
Mallaig which runs at least 4 times per week throughout the year (some sailings are
inevitably cancelled due to bad weather). Additional services are available from other
operators during the summer months. Accounts can be established with several local
traders who will supply a variety of provisions via the ferry, though most residents
use the village shop for the majority of their needs.
Despite its apparent remoteness, Rum possesses all basic services and facilities. Its
location and landscape make it a particularly exciting place to live and work and it
has many attractions for families with young children.
Additional Allowances for Rum Staff
In addition to the quoted salary, there are a number of additional allowances
currently under review. The successful candidate will be advised of these in due
course.
SNH is currently working in partnership with the local community to initiate a
programme for the long-term development of social and economic opportunities on
Rum. It will look positively upon any proposals for private initiative such as tourism
services, craft enterprises etc. provided that these do not conflict with the primary
objectives of management of the National Nature Reserve.