Climbing Wall and Recreational Lead at Calshot Activities Centre

Salary Range: £21,403 - £24,055 per annum

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 18 July 2021

Interview date: 26 July 2021

This is an exciting opportunity to oversee the running of the tallest climbing wall in Hampshire and make a significant contribution to the day-to-day operations of the recreational facilities in The Hangar. You'll be an inspirational, enthusiastic individual who has proven experience of leading teams and working in an indoor climbing wall. You'll be a passionate climber with knowledge of the industry.

Calshot Activities Centre is one of the largest outdoor activities Centres in the UK and is one of four outdoor Centres that makes up Hampshire Outdoor Centres (HOC). 

Calshot is in a prime location on the shores of the Solent and one of the largest outdoor centres in Britain. We have one of the most diverse range of activities found at any outdoor centre. In our big Sunderland hangar, we have an indoor ski slope, the tallest climbing wall on the south coast, a velodrome and archery and shooting ranges. Across the spit is our water sports hangar, Sopwith, which houses all the powerboat, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing kit. Not only do we get to play in the waters of the Solent, but we also have the beautiful New Forest National Park on our doorstep where we take groups to do field studies activities and orienteering.

Main Responsibilities

Operational Management:

• Working with the senior instructor team to ensure activities (specifically off ground activities) are delivered to the highest standards, learning outcomes are met and customer satisfaction is achieved
• Work closely with the facilities management team and the senior instructor team to ensure all activity related health and safety checks are completed
• Specific responsibility for individual courses running in the centre in a course director capacity to meet the needs of individual customers
• Communicating with groups, group leaders and related persons to ensure that courses run smoothly.

Staff Training and Supervision:

• Specific training, supervision and follow up mentoring/training/evaluation of junior staff in the context of the annual staff training programme to support the development of good practise amongst all staff.

Teaching and Instruction:

• Teach and instruct a variety of different activities (mainly off ground) to school children, youth groups and adults to deliver high quality learning outcomes.

Maintenance and Development:

• Maintain equipment and resources as required to maintain operational effectiveness
• Develop teaching and instructional resources to further the breadth and quality of outdoor learning delivered to customers
• Oversee the off ground activity equipment asset management database system for Calshot and contribute to wider service requirements for activity equipment management

Risk Management:

• Required to understand and implement agreed Risk Management policies and procedures as laid down by the centre management to ensure that customers and others, including themselves, are safe and corporate responsibilities are met
• Ensure junior staff adhere to centre policies to ensure that customers and staff are safe and corporate responsibilities are met
• Responsibility to take own initiative and react flexibly to changing risk management conditions without resort to line manager

Duty Manager Role:

• Act as duty manager with total on-site responsibility for the centre, plant, staff and customers (inc. Health and safety), with remote manager support
• Act as duty manager at evenings and weekends, to provide responsible Health and safety, customer care and support out of normal office hours

Essential Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Climbing Wall Instructor Award
• Rock Climbing Instructor Award or Single Pitch Award
• Passionate, inspirational and an enthusiastic individual with knowledge of the climbing industry with an understanding of working at height procedures
• A broad experience of outdoor education, with significant experience of working in centres and / or indoor climbing walls
• Understands and aware of the benefits of Outdoor Education with an ability to share these with customers
• Proven experience of leading and inspiring staff teams and delivering staff training, monitoring and mentoring
• Breadth of experience of teaching young people and adults in outdoor situations
• Ability to work without supervision and manage and prioritise own workload effectively
• Excellent interpersonal skills / ability to liaise confidently, professionally and sensitively with a wide range of contacts including customers and visitors
• Clear written, numeracy and verbal communication skills
• Intermediate to advanced skills in MS Word and Excel
• IT skills at sufficient level to understand, use and interrogate bespoke IT systems and HCC applications
• Experience of working with confidential / sensitive information and an awareness of Data Protection regulations
• Able to make decisions and work under pressure

Desirable Qualifications Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Mountain Instructor Award or aspirant
• Climbing Wall Development Instructor
• Rock Climbing Development Instructor Award
• BMC Coaching Qualifications
• ERCA Qualifications
• Experience of managing small teams and / or departments
• Experience of "adaptive" approaches to working with special needs groups off ground
• Knowledge of corporate and management development programmes

All applications must be made here. 

Contact details for an informal discussion: Ben Lidstone-Scott, Operations Manager on 03707793781