Visitor Experience Assistant x2

Located in the heart of Abernethy reserve, surrounded by Caledonian pine forest and in the
shadow of the mighty Cairngorms, the Loch Garten Nature Centre is one of the RSPB’s most
high-profile visitor facilities, with a legacy of delivering a top-quality visitor experience
spanning over sixty years. We are looking for two part-time seasonal Visitor Experience
Assistants to join the team and help deliver the visitor experience at the Nature Centre.

Loch Garten is RSPB Scotland’s premier site for building support for nature conservation. It is
a 7-day-a-week seasonal facility and has recently undergone a complete refurbishment which
widened the focus of the visitor experience from a single species (osprey) to a wider reserve
focus – in particular on the Caledonian pine forest habitat and the species which live here. We
are also nearing the end of a project to bring running water to the site, which will give us
better facilities for visitors and the team, including a Changing Places for those with
disabilities. This represents an exciting new era for the Loch Garten Nature Centre, and we are
keen to share these upgraded facilities with a wide audience, helping our visitors to connect
with the nature surrounding them and growing support for nature conservation.

As a Loch Garten Visitor Experience Assistant, you will be part of a dedicated and enthusiastic
team, including visitor experience and retail, bringing the story of the forest to life for all
visitors. Abernethy reserve is part of the Cairngorms Connect partnership, and you will work to
ensure the partnership aims are communicated effectively and inspiringly at the Nature Centre.

You will work with visitor experience and retail colleagues to ensure the efficient day to day
running of the Centre – guaranteeing a high quality, on brand, visitor experience for all, and
maintaining exceptional customer care standards. You will occasionally be asked to swap your
shift to patrol the local trails in the evening with a colleague, to engage with visitors who
may be wild camping, ensuring the forest and local communities are protected from visitor
impacts, including wildfire.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is keen to develop and grow in visitor engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Working with colleagues to ensure the efficient and smooth day-to-day running of the
  Centre, upholding exceptional customer care standards.
• Deliver a top-class, on-brand experience for visitors, ensuring every visitor has positive
  and memorable contact with the RSPB.
• Proactively facilitate and enhance visits from people / groups with additional needs.
• Give presentations to visitors via daily talks and occasionally help on guided walks. 
• Ensure the visitor centre and environs, visitor facilities and equipment are maintained and
  presented to a high standard.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• A passion for nature and conservation.
• Excellent verbal communication and people engagement skills. 
• A team player with the ability to also work on own initiative. 
• Ability to respond to customer needs and feedback. 
• Able to build and maintain strong working relationships.
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly including weekends and occasional evenings.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of delivering a high-quality visitor offer. 
• Working knowledge of Equal Opportunities & Diversity.
• Health and Safety in the workplace.
• Ability to travel in rural areas during work hours without reliance on public transport.

This role is based in a remote and rural location and will involve lone working, weekend and
occasional evening working. Some standby and on-call work will be required. A driving licence
is desirable but not essential. 

There are two part-time roles available for 16 hours per week each. These are fixed-term for
eight months and will start as soon as possible.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as suitable candidates present
themselves, so please do not delay in applying. Please note that we are actively
recruiting for this vacancy, and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have
been received.  For further information please contact [email protected].

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including
evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. 

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels
supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world
richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of
colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate,
sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled,
we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any
additional support you may need to complete your application. 

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974. 

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have
a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.