We are delighted to announce we have a number of vacancies at the Discovery Park. Please see below:
Adventure Park Activity Manager
Reports to the General Manager.
Will have five years’ work experience as an Adventure Park Activity Manager or similar role.
Castlecomer Discovery Park is a multi-activity, award-winning adventure park in Co. Kilkenny operating as a not-for-profit social enterprise. The organisation welcomes over 144,000 visitors annually. The Park offers a variety of outdoor activities to visitors, including boating and canoeing, orienteering, archery, a tree-top walk, a high-ropes Octagon course, Ireland’s longest zip-line and a junior play area.
The Role
To manage the range of adventure activities and seasonal events at Castlecomer Discovery Park including activity instructors. The role requires planning, development, coordination, evaluation, budgeting and reporting on activities and events to maximise revenue. We are looking for a dynamic person that is passionate about adventure, can manage the day-to-day operations to include project management.
TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPSONSIBILITIES:
- Planning, development and coordination of the outdoor activity programme and events to maximise the outdoor earnings potential.
- Development of budget for all activities and manage against performance
- Responsible for ensuring proper working order of Outdoor Activity equipment, including certification, monitoring and maintenance schedules.
- Lead the parks maintenance function, responsible for planning the parks maintenance, scheduling annual and routine maintenance work, oversee and participate in the timely completion all work, to include roads, paths, buildings, and activity repairs.
- Schedules and obtains costs for all maintenance related work, schedules the installation of all new activities to include obtaining quotations.
- Manages and schedules all annual and routine safety systems throughout the park, to include activity safety inspections, fire, and alarm systems.
- Drive a positive safety culture through all our business and outdoors activities, stay current with health and safety legislation.
- Manage the parks health and safety function through a process of hazard identification, undertake and maintain all risk assessments.
- Keep our H&S policy and safety manual fully compliant with legislation and good practices.
- Work to maintain a safe place of work for our staff and visitors through accident prevention procedures.
- Involved with recruitment and development of Outdoor Activity Instructor team, Ensure all staff are trained appropriately to undertake their roles in accordance with our safety procedures.
- Maintain staff HR files for instructor staff.
- Generate staff rosters and weekly checking of same
- Supporting the General Manager in the design of training courses, logistical issues, and new activities
- Supporting the General Manager in the smooth running of the business and responding analytically and creatively to opportunities and challenges
- Day to day administration and record keeping for all activities, equipment, and events.
- Development of Recreation strategy in collaboration with Education Officer
- Collaboration with Education Officer for development of Education strategy
- Set example to all staff to lead and instruct individuals or groups in various activities organised by Castlecomer Discovery Park
- To operate all activities according to the required operational standards and best practice set out to all staff in the Operating Procedures Manuals
- To prepare, update and distribute Activity Operating Procedures to relevant staff.
- Direct marketing to initiate, build and develop connections with relevant target groups.
- Monitor and act on relevant complaint logs and incident reports.
- Planning, development, and operation of outdoor events
- To coordinate seasonal events to progress sales including our significant Christmas event.
- Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills!
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Training and certification in areas of High Ropes Courses, Kayaking, Canoeing, Single Pitch Award, Mountain Leader or similar
- Occupational First Aid Course, Remote Emergency Care (or equivalent)
- Manual Handling/working at height.
- Child Protection Course
- Garda Vetting required
- Able to physically complete activities in competent manner
- Hold a full clean driving licence.
- ERCA advanced parks trained desirable but not essential.
- Hold a qualification in occupational health and safety.
- An adventure tourism background desirable.
Desirable Qualifications
- Health & Safety Qualification
SKILLS:
- Experience of working and maintaining high ropes courses/trade experience
- Good IT skills (Microsoft Office Suite)
- Time management and organisational skills
- Customer service skills
- People management skills
- Fluent use of English language
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to work in high-risk environment including extreme sports.
- Demonstrate leadership skills
- Demonstrate initiative skills
- Contribute effectively to the company’s social media platforms.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
39 hours.
Normal working week will be 5 days between Monday to Sunday with occasional evening work as required.
Deadline extended to 16th April 2021 – apply in writing to Castlecomer Discovery Park or email info@discoverypark.ie
Education Officer
Reports to the General Manager
The Role
Castlecomer Discovery Park is a multi-activity, award-winning adventure park in Co. Kilkenny operating as a not-for-profit social enterprise. The organisation welcomes over 144,000 visitors annually. It has a highly successful school education and adventure programme, welcoming in excess of 11,000 students annually across Primary, Secondary, Third Level and Language Schools. We are committed to promoting the benefits of outdoor learning and supporting people’s health and wellbeing.
Activities range from our exciting adventure and team-building options to curriculum-linked workshops and field studies. We are an accredited Science Foundation Ireland Discover Centre with a variety of workshops approved under the DPSM programme. We help Irish students realise their personal best by creating experiences in the outdoors to grow their sense of self and the core skills that will help them navigate their future. We help students grow; we help schools perform. We help parents enjoy more mature, independent children, helping young people become real world ready. From providing industry-leading pre-set courses to fully tailored, curriculum-integrated programs, we connect with schools across the country to bring education outdoors.
We are recruiting an enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic individual to manage the school programme and to broaden our educational remit in the areas of environment and sustainability.
This is a leadership role, for someone who is a passionate communicator and who will find ways to use our unique site to educate visitors in the areas of environment, sustainability, carbon recapture and wellness. The candidate should have excellent knowledge and professional experience of Ireland’s education system with a passion for the outdoors, environment and STE(A)M learning. The role will also require the successful candidate to support the General Manager in administration duties. This is a rare opportunity to be at the forefront of one of Ireland’s leading education and activity centres. It involves the research, design, delivery, outreach, marketing, evaluation, staffing, budgeting and reporting of the programme.
You will ensure that all our programs are delivered to the highest standards of consistency and quality, meeting the needs of students, schools and staff. You will ensure that all programs are delivered efficiently and profitably with an overview of risk management. A key measurement of success will be the retention of our current customers, and growth of the programmes.
You will manage and be accountable for cost control without quality compromise in outdoor delivery. This will require a detailed focus on workforce management, effective and efficient program design and delivery and management of resources to enhance sustainability.
Responsibilities
- Manage daily operation and organisation of the school programme and staffing.
- Champion change and lead the team in provision of contemporary sector leading programs
- Seek out and implement improvements to increase efficiencies in all aspects of program delivery
- Identify and pursue new opportunities in promoting (outdoor, environmental, sustainability) learning across a variety of audiences. Lead innovation to increase access to our programs to a broader client mix. Champion the work of The Discovery Park and the value of Outdoor Education internally and externally.
- Identify outreach and other learning related revenue-generating opportunities including funding streams
- Keep abreast of trends and developments in Irish education curricula, outdoor learning, environment and adventure tourism
- Explore opportunities to develop teacher CPD workshops and summer courses
- Be involved in budget planning and monitoring pertaining to program development and delivery
- Identify and implement business improvements to improve efficiency
- Monitor and control program costs to meet budget
- Instigate changes to the program delivery model to increase business viability
- Ensure program change is minimised to ensure program margins are maintained
- Record, monitor and report on programme progress
- Collaborate with General Manager and others on the marketing and promotion of the programme
- Liaise with existing partners and stakeholders, fostering new relationships to progress sales
- Maintain and grow contact database and networks
- Recruitment, training and mentoring of staff to deliver programme. Manage HR requirements of the team including training records and CPD.
- Preparation of staff rosters for school groups with other team members
- Coordination of work placement students
- Work with other staff to develop and coordinate seasonal events, camps etc.
- Creation of welcoming and suitable environment for visiting groups
- Promote environmental action plan/sustainability of operations
- Ensure compliance with Children First Act and Safeguarding of all staff
- Implementation of Health & Safety requirements and completion of risk assessments. Lead and role model the following of safe work procedures and instructions. Lead the compliance with Irish H & S legislation. ▪ Seek and provide health and safety guidance for all new or modified work procedures
- Monitor and act on relevant complaints and incident reports
- Proactively seeks Continuous Professional Development
- Collaboration with other management staff to plan, coordinate and review Park activities, events, programmes, procedures and policies
- Works under the direction of the GM to effectively carry out office activities.
- Manage phone calls and correspondence as requested by the GM
- Develop and submit various ad hock reports.
- Create and update records and database with personnel and safety related records.
- Assist colleagues as directed by the GM.
- Assist the GM with funding applications / administration
Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum 3 years experience in education sector
- 3rd level qualification in outdoor education, teaching & learning, environmental science or similar
- Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering outdoor learning and STE(A)M related workshops to groups.
- Access to own transport with full, clean driving licence.
Desirable, not essential:
- People Management experience
- REC3 First Aid or similar
- Safeguarding 1,2,3
- CARA Disability Inclusion Training
- Leave No Trace
Skills
- Demonstrated ability to provide inspirational leadership to a team of outdoor professionals
- Demonstrated ability to work on own initiative and assume responsibility
- Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting
- Proven ability to work as part of a team
- Strong organisational and effective group management skills
- Project management skills with ability to multi-task
- Excellent interpersonal and communication (oral & written) skills
- Ability to analyse, synthesise and summarize data
- Excellent research and reporting skills
- Ability to network and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders
- Engaging group facilitation skills
- Innovative problem-solving capabilities
- Displays flexibility and responsiveness and has the initiative, attitude and ability to thrive within a dynamic, challenging and changing environment
- High level of proficiency with technology particularly Microsoft Office Suite
- Competency with the Irish language an advantage but not essential
The role is subject to Garda Vetting.
The post will be 39 hours per week rostered over 7 days as required. Occasional evening and bank holiday work required.
Deadline extended to 16th April 2021
Please send CV’s to info@discoverypark.ie
Activity Instructors Required
Reports to: Activity Manager
Consults with: Management and all staff
ROLE PURPOSE:
To be part of our activity instructor team to efficiently deliver activities and programmes for Castlecomer Discovery Park. You will be responsible for instructing members of the public and groups on activities to ensure a safe and a high-quality customer experience. You will work with the Activity Manager in delivering corporate team building programmes.
DUTIES AND RESPSONSIBILITIES:
- To operate all activities according to the required operational standards and best practice set out to all staff in the Operating Procedures Manuals
- To work with a team of instructors
- To carry out daily opening and closing procedures in activity areas
- To give due customer care and to meet and greet visitors and groups
- To lead and instruct individuals or groups in various activities organised
- To be responsible for storing and control of all the equipment in the activity areas
- To be familiar with all product offerings at the park to enable upselling of activities to customers
- To ensure cash management is in accordance with company policy
- To check and store signed disclaimer forms
- To communicate effectively with the Activity Manager and Instructors on all necessary issues
- To ensure involved person reports and records all accidents/incidents and complaints correctly
- To assist with development of programmes and activities particularly corporate team building
- To attend training courses as required and to meet agreed training needs
- Representing the park at conferences/events when necessary
- Any other duties as required by the Activity Manager General Manager.
HEALTH & SAFETY:
Comply with Safety Statement at all times, and in accordance with company procedures and training.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Training and certification in areas such as water sports, high ropes, archery, adventure activities
- Child Protection Course desirable
- Occupational First Aid Course/REC 3 (or equivalent desirable)
SKILLS:
- Strong leadership skills
- Communication skills
- Work experience in similar activity instructor role or with large groups of people of all ages
- Good IT skills (Microsoft Office Suite)
- Customer service skills
- Fluent use of English language
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Confidence working at heights
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Normal working week will run between Monday to Sunday with occasional evening work as required.
Outdoor work is required.
Deadline extended to 16th April 2021
