Ref: HF24003
Location: Hybrid working available with a minimum of two days per week in our Penrith office
Contract: Permanent – 30 hours per week
Salary: £24,000 - £26,000 per year depending on experience, Pro Rata
Reporting to: Tour Leader Operations Manager
Job Benefits: 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays, Pension contributions with Aviva, Comprehensive medical benefits package with MediCash, Annual familiarization visit at any of our country houses for you and your family (after 3 months), Free on-site car parking, One paid day each year to volunteer at a charity of your choice, Exclusive discounts at several outdoor equipment stores, Exclusive discounts on our holidays throughout the world for you, your friends & family (Subject to availability), Free professional training and development courses, Cycle to work scheme
Overview:
Our volunteer leaders are an essential part of our guests’ holidays, leading them on full day walks as well as hosting them and facilitating sociability from the start to the finish of the week. We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Volunteer Assessment & Training Co-ordinator to join our Leader Operations Team, at our friendly office in Penrith, Cumbria.
About the role:
In this role, your primary responsibilities will revolve around effectively managing prospective volunteers throughout the assessment process and subsequent training opportunities. A crucial aspect of the position is establishing relationships with our volunteers, providing the necessary support to ensure their success. You will be scheduling annual Assessment Events for new leaders, involving coordination with internal departments and external experts. Additionally, responsibilities include logging and assessing new Volunteer Walk Leaders' applications, conducting initial skillset reviews, and managing walk experience logbooks. Attendance at Assessment Events and the subsequent management and feedback of outcomes are essential components of the role. Ensuring an adequate number of Assessors through recruitment and ongoing reviews is also a key responsibility. Other duties include developing a training package for Tour Leader Managers, leading the onboarding process for new Volunteer Walk Leaders, organising, and conducting new leader debrief workshops, and collaborating with Leader Operations to provide comprehensive support throughout the leader journey.
What are we looking for?
* We are looking for someone with strong organisation skills, including proven management of a demanding workload, identifying priorities and working to deadlines.
* Transferable skills in relation to recruitment, assessment events, training and onboarding.
* A knowledge of volunteering principles and requirements including an understanding of how their motivation may differ from employees.
* An interest in walking and knowledge of the main walking areas in the UK
* A genuine team player with a passion for sharing knowledge and building the best work experience for others.
* Good communications skills (both written and oral).
1. Not essential, but would be great if you had any of the following:
* If you have experience of being a volunteer or a relevant qualification in volunteer management this would be advantageous
* A relevant outdoor qualification eg Hill & Moorland Leader Award; Mountain Leader Award
* Working knowledge of volunteering best practice management, development and policy.
* Experience of innovating, leading and developing volunteering opportunities.
* Knowledge and an understanding of current volunteering trends and issues.
About HF Holidays:
An award-winning British heritage brand, HF Holidays has been leading the way for walking and special interest holidays since 1913. We offer over 260 thoughtfully-curated guided and self-guided tours and holidays in six continents, covering nearly 40 destinations in Europe and the rest of the world. We are run as a co-operative with a strong focus on community and a shared love of the great outdoors. Friendship, fun, fresh air, and the feelgood factor is always at the heart of what we do. Our 500-strong team are based at our two offices in Cumbria and Hertfordshire and across our 16 country houses located a skip away from some of the UK’s best-loved national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Our Application Process:
To ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation process, we encourage all prospective candidates to submit their CVs without including personal identifying information, such as name, gender, age, race, religion or any other factors that may reveal their identity. This practice aligns with our commitment to a blind recruitment approach, fostering equal opportunities for all applicants. If you wish to apply please forward your CV to recruitment@hfholidays.co.uk - we’d love to hear from you!