Outdoor Activities Co-ordinator

An introduction to Girlguiding Ulster and Lorne Estate.

Thank you for your interest in the role of Outdoor Activities Co-Ordinator at Lorne Estate.

Girlguiding Ulster is one of the nine Countries and Regions of Girlguiding, the UK’s leading charity for girls and young women. The Region is made up of 10 counties Armagh, Belfast, North Down, South Down, North Antrim, South Antrim, Tyrone, Londonderry City, Londonderry and Fermanagh.

We are dedicated to enabling girls and young women to develop their potential and to make a difference in the world. Guiding offers girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, build friendships, gain valuable skills and make a positive difference to their communities.  Our dedicated volunteers run unit meetings for 10,000 young members across the province.

Lorne Estate, based in Holywood in Co. Down, is a leading residential and activity centre in Northern Ireland owned by Girlguiding Ulster. We host Girlguiding members for trainings, holidays, camps and outdoor activities but our customer base also includes Scouts, other youth organisations, church groups, schools and colleges as well as corporate and private event bookings. We aim to provide excellent customer service, tailored to individual needs.

More information on Girlguiding Ulster and Lorne Estate can be found at www.girlguidingulster.org.uk or www.discoverlorne.org.uk

The role of Outdoor Activities Co-Ordinator is key to the smooth running of the Outdoor facilities at Lorne Estate. You will co-ordinate, oversee and train a team of outdoor instructors to deliver a wide and varied activity programme to our customers based on the activities we have on-site. These include high ropes, a 200m zip line, climbing, archery, bushcraft, gorge walking, team building. The ideal candidate for this role will enjoy working closely with other instructors and with groups out of activity session but also have the ability to look after the administration of the activities department.

We are committed to finding the right person for this role and therefore would be willing to offer some NGB training opportunities for qualifications relevant to the activities we offer.

Job Description

Post:                      Outdoor Activities Co-ordinator

Location:               Lorne House

Reports to:            Operations Manager

Responsible to:      Executive Manager

Hours:                   35 hours per week

Salary Scale:          NJC Points 18-21 (£18,746-£20,138)

To provide a full outdoor activities function to both internal and external users of Girlguiding Ulster.

• To maintain personal instructing skills and instruct groups of all ages in a range of Lorne Activities.

• To effectively and efficiently co-ordinate the Outdoor Activity Instructor Team, maintaining records and compiling rotas.

• To regularly train, develop, review and assess the Instructor team by monitoring sessions, standards and procedures. To update risk assessments regularly to ensure the highest safety standards at all times

• To liaise with the appropriate technical advisers in conjunction with the Operations Manager to ensure that Lorne Estate complies with all technical requirements and Adventuremark standards.

• To oversee the work of the Activity Officer to ensure that equipment is maintained, tested and stored in line with technical guidelines.

• Co-ordinate the Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions for members and expand provision to non-member groups.

• To develop new outdoor programmes, holiday schemes and activities in consultation with the Operations Manager

• To co-ordinate schools programmes and actively seek new and repeat schools business.

• To co-ordinate the operations of the campsites including the wardens and camping equipment

• To undertake 1staid training as part of this role.
  • To promote Lorne effectively with new and existing customers with the aim of maximising Estate usage.

• To ensure that all who contact and/or use the facilities of Girlguiding Ulster are provided with a personal “customer focused” service

• To operate a computerised booking system and a web-based events system.

• To deal with telephone and email enquiries, respond appropriately and ensure follow up when necessary.

• To ensure all invoices & purchase orders are collated & forwarded to the Finance Officer and assist with lodgements, invoices and any other financial queries relating to the Operations Department.

• To take action if any situations arise through on site activities by providing emergency cover via 2-way radio during all activity sessions on site.

• To deal with any queries/complaints  from any persons staying at Lorne and finalise accommodation payments or to prepare and issue invoices and receipts

• To provide ‘Welcome Talks’ to all groups booked into accommodation at Lorne – ensuring fire procedure information is covered and to be responsible for checking that all buildings are correctly locked and alarmed before leaving Lorne Estate and liaise with the alarm company & resolve any alarm malfunctions

• To work with other Operations team members to ensure core tasks are undertaken effectively

• To carry out general office duties as requested by the Operations Manager and the Executive Manager

• Encourage high standards in work, dress and conduct by own example.

• To undertake relevant training as requested and other duties as required which are compatible with this role

• Evening and weekend work will be required for this post as most projects and events take place outside of normal working hours.

Person Specification

Criteria

Essential or Desirable

Skills

Computer literate, including experience of Microsoft Office

E

Excellent communication skills:

Written skills to include the ability to produce documents suitable for a wide range of audiences and purposes

Oral skills to include the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both on the telephone and in person, with individuals and groups

E

Ability to work proactively and on own initiative

E

Ability to work as a team player and to ensure effective internal consultation

E

Ability to work with and relate to staff and volunteers at all levels within the Organisation and to deal professionally and persuasively with external contacts

E

Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines

E

Ability to work accurately and to pay close attention to detail

E

Ability to provide new outdoor programme ideas

E

Numerate, with the ability to use Excel to produce graphs and charts based on data gathered

D

Qualifications

Minimum of 5 GCSE’s A-C including English and Maths or equivalent

E

Experience

3 years experience of working as an Outdoor Activity Instructor

E

Experience of Supervising staff

E

Relevant Outdoor Activity Qualifications – at least two of the following SPA, ML, Archery GB, BCU 2, CWA or ERCA

D

Experience of working closely with volunteers

D

Knowledge

Knowledge of health and safety and risk assessments

E

Knowledge of and interest in the development of girls and young women

D

Knowledge of guiding

D