We're looking for a Crew Member to join the Team. The National Trust Steam Yacht Gondola is a rebuilt Victorian steam-powered yacht. Visitors enjoy the charm of luxury travel once experienced by wealthy Victorians, riding in style in Gondola’s opulent saloons or relaxing on her open-air decks as she glides across Coniston Water. It’s a unique opportunity to watch the gleaming steam engine in operation from the open viewing windows and quiz the boat’s engineer on its workings. Take in the spectacular scenery of the Coniston Fells and listen to the crew’s commentary on the area’s history and famous connections.
Occasionally you will be required to sail on evening private charters, and your rota may vary to cover annual leave. Rotas will be published 14 days in advance.
To do this role, you'll have to pass a basic Maritime & Coastguard Agency medical exam.
What it's like to work here
You’ll be part of the South Lakes property team, and while you'll be based on Gondola there are opportunities to come together as a wider team through team days, and social events. You’ll be part of engaging and enthusing visitors not only about Gondola but through story telling about the landscape, local history, and literature (such as Swallows & Amazons). On Gondola you’ll be joining an experienced and supportive team who will ensure that full training is provided.
You will join a small, friendly and professional team. To start the day, we fire-up the boiler, clean and polish the boat and load fuel for the day. At 10:30 we leave the dock and commence passenger services from our operating jetty at 10:45. The vessel makes either 3 or 4 sailings per day, depending on season. After sailing, we close Gondola down for the night and do our banking.
What you'll be doing
You'll join a small, friendly & professional team who will first train you as deck hand/purser, so that you can join the team on passenger services. This will be followed by training as engineer, then boatmaster.
You’ll be offered full training and will take internal assessments for Purser & Engineer, and an external practical examination for boatmaster within 6 months. We will provide & fund all professional training. This is a role where you'll be hands on and take on all of the roles in rotation during the sailing season of April-October.
You’ll be confident to actively engage with our guests to tell the history of the boat and the stories of the people, landscape and literature of the Coniston Valley though the commentary. In the winter, you'll work on shore to restore and maintain Gondola. This can be a range of works from cleaning & painting to more complex repair work, for which you will have training. There will be some administrative work such as operating the tills, and other office tasks.
Who we're looking for
To deliver this role successfully, you'll need:
an enthusiasm for understanding and sharing the story of Gondola, her people and her lake
to be confident in communicating with all kinds of people
to be confident working near deep water and working with the heat & pressure of a boiler
to be a team-player with the ability to take charge when required
the ability to assist passengers in case of emergency, to perform manual work such as loading fuel
a willingness to gain marine, steam or maintenance skills with training provided by us
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
Rental deposit loan scheme
Season ticket loan
EV car lease scheme
Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
Flexible working whenever possible
Employee assistance programme
Free parking at most Trust places