Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is an agency of the Scottish Government, and manages Scotland’s national forests.
Nationally, we are a major provider of outdoor recreation opportunities across Scotland. We manage a wide-ranging portfolio of visitor destinations including six Forest Parks. The work we do makes a significant contribution to the local and national visitor economy as well as ensuring our national forests deliver a wide range of social benefits.
The North Region team is responsible for the management of around 142,000 ha of national forests, from Caithness in the North, Skye in the west and Strathspey in the south. The North Regional Manager is Graeme Prest who leads a team of around 113 staff. The Visitor Services team is led by Paul Hibberd, and currently consists of 9 staff, covering a wide range of areas and duties. This includes planning and managing recreation opportunities, engaging with visitors, facilitating education and learning, working with partners & tenants and engaging with communities.
This post covers sites in Strathspey including Glenmore Forest Park, with a possibility of work in other areas of the region. Occasional overnight stays may be necessary. Occasional weekend and evening work will be part of this role.
The key responsibilities for the role will include:
Staff Supervision
• Supervise two staff members (one Visitor Services Seasonal Ranger and one Visitor Centre Assistant) and volunteers in a positive and supportive way.
Representation, Communication and Team Working
• Engage positively and proactively with visitors at your sites and across the region, including Glenmore Forest Visitor Centre.
• Ensure high quality and accurate information is available via the FLS website, leaflets, interpretation signage and temporary signage.
• Deal promptly and helpfully with any enquiries and complaints.
• Work positively and proactively with stakeholders, communities, businesses and partners.
• Represent FLS at community, business, partner and stakeholder meetings.
• Develop strong and positive relationships across the region and promote excellent internal communications.
• Support local and national web editors by providing timely and accurate updates as needed.
• Contribute to building a culture of one team with regional and national staff.
Visitor Facilities Management
• Carry out routine safety checks for your sites in and around Glenmore as identified in the integrated programme plan.
• Support colleagues to carry out routine safety checks for your sites as identified in the integrated programme plan.
• Monitor routine maintenance work for your sites; liaise with colleagues to support a high quality visitor experience.
• Take part in appropriate routine maintenance for your sites as necessary e.g. litter picking.
• Work with the Area Visitor Services Manager to specify project work for your sites to maintain and develop high quality recreation facilities: input to work plans as needed and work closely with delivery colleagues to get this work done.
• Facilitate recreation-related events via the permissions system, following FLS guidance.
Visitor Experience Planning
• Assist in completing an annual visitor experience planning exercise for each of your sites and review the trail portfolio analysis. Prioritise key sites to inform the business planning process.
• Monitor and act on visitor data for your destinations, through observation, site counters, visitor studies, digital channels etc.
• Input proactively and positively to the Land Management Plan reviews and revisions, representing visitor services interests. Take responsibility for VS actions required. Attend meetings as needed and discuss issues with your Area Visitor Services Manager.
Health & Safety, Wellbeing and Equality
• Promote a safety-first culture in all aspects of the role: a safe and healthy environment for visitors and staff, in line with corporate standards (including OGB 42) and industry best practice.
• Use the lone worker safety system as appropriate.
• Report all accidents and near misses via the SHE Assure system.
• Ensure risk assessments for groups and volunteers are completed and held on record.
• Ensure appropriate checks are being carried out, and appropriate records are being kept for your sites.
• Champion inclusive practice and consider equality issues in all visitor experience planning; seeking ways to ensure our visitor profile more closely matches the diverse make up of Scotland.
• Challenge outdated thinking to improve both the service delivered to our customers, and the efficiency of our business.
• Take responsibility for your own wellbeing, and seek support if needed.
For more information and to apply, please visit our website:
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk
hr@forestryandland.gov.scot
Please quote ref 34486.
Closing date: 31/01/2020, 23:55
No recruitment agencies please.
We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all sectors of our diverse community.
