• Hours: Full-time contract (37hr/wk)
• Salary scale: £26,835 – £31,266 depending on experience
• Closing date: 5pm Mon 22 August 2022
• Interviews: Thurs 8th September in Perth

We are excited to announce that Mountaineering Scotland in partnership with sportscotland has create a new full-time role in the ClimbScotland Team for a Talent and Pathways Officer.

With climbing now an Olympic sport, we are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motived candidate for this new post to lead in developing and delivering a new Talent Pathway in Scotland, supporting our next generation of competitive climbers to achieve their potential. This will include leading on the development of the coaching workforce in Scotland, linking to and working with GB Climbing and the Scottish Climbing Wall Network, through pre-existing clubs, teams and squads as well as developing the current Scottish Youth Climbing Squad. The Talent and Pathways Officer will also lead on the organisation and delivery of our annual competition programme, working closely with host walls and our network of competition volunteers across Scotland.

The full job description and person specification along with application form can be downloaded from the Mountaineering Scotland website.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Work in partnership with GB climbing to establish a virtual performance "hub" in Scotland; develop and align the talent and pathway programme, with the development of the new facilities strategy for Scotland; establish a geographical network which can support athletes across Scotland; develop an athlete profiling system, based on good practice, with the aim to aligning to GB Climbing.
• To establish partnerships with climbing walls and other relevant organisations to support the development of new and existing squads/teams as a recognised part of the GB talent pathway.
• To evolve and develop the selection process for the Scottish National Development Squad through athlete profiling and competition results data, in alignment with GB Climbing, with the aim of establishing equal opportunities for athletes in Scotland to improve and progress.
• To establish an annual programme of coaching and additional specialist support for Scottish National Development Squad members linked to the GB Climbing pathway.
• To work with the sportscotland Institute for Sport and GB Climbing to identify the potential support available for climbers on the Scottish National Development Squad from external sources.
• To create a positive and nurturing culture which supports the development of young athletes and implement the recommendations of UK Anti-Doping including the delivery of an appropriate education programme for athletes, families, and carers.
• To work with the Sports Development Officer to identify the specific coaching requirements needed to support the talent pathway in Scotland and facilitate the delivery.

Essential attributes and skills

• Experience of delivering sports coaching, performance and development related training activities to different audiences.
• Ability to communicate effectively at different levels, creating positive working relationships to guide, support and influence key partners, young people, parents/guardians and volunteers.
• A proven ability to establish partnerships and work collaboratively to deliver results.
• Active climber and/or able to demonstrable experience of delivery and knowledge of working practices gained in a climbing wall environment.
• Confident in using Microsoft Office and associated apps (Outlook/Word/Excel/Publisher/Power Point)
• The ability, confidence, and willingness to use a range of social media platforms effectively to capture and promote the work of ClimbScotland as well as reporting/sharing relevant news in the climbing community.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to produce high quality copy and images for ClimbScotland website and Scottish Mountaineer magazine.
• Experience of organising and delivering events.
• A self-starter who is able and willing to act as an enthusiastic ambassador for ClimbScotland and the sport of climbing.
• Strong administrative skills with the ability to plan to maximize personal efficiency.
• Committed to working evenings and weekends.
• Full driving license and willingness to travel. Must have access to a vehicle for business use and appropriate insurance cover.

Desirable qualifications and skills

• CWI and CWDI or an award that supersedes (RCI/RCDI/MCI)
• Experience of organising or involvement in youth climbing competitions.
• Route setting experience including: - competition setting - RSA Level 1 and/or 2 - Cherry picker training/license
• MCI training, or award holder, with demonstrable experience gained in a climbing wall environment.
• Experience in working with and managing volunteers.
• Attended Safeguarding Children level 1 & 2, or willing to attend.
• Climbing Coaching Award levels 1 & 2, or willing to train.
• Negotiation skills.

How to apply

The full job description and person specification along with application form can be downloaded from the Mountaineering Scotland website.

Please complete the application form and and equalities monitoring form and send by email  by 5pm Monday 22 August 2022. Please note that CVs not accompanied by a completed application form will not be accepted.

Interviews will take place on Thursday, 8th September at the Mountaineering Scotland head office in Perth.

Mountaineering Scotland is committed to being an employer and volunteer organisation that recognises and encourages equal opportunities, diversity, inclusion and respect in the workforce, with employment conditions and practices that ensure all staff and volunteers are treated equitably. We particularly welcome applications from those who are significantly underrepresented in our sector, such as women, people with disabilities (including hidden disabilities) and individuals from Black and Minority ethnic communities.