POST TITLE: Trainee Upland Path WorkerEMPLOYER: Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS)RESPONSIBLE TO: Activity Programme ManagerREPORTING TO: Training OfficerWORKING WITH: Trainees, OATS staff, Contractors, Partners, Volunteers, Other OrganisationsLOCATIONS: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National ParkWORKING HOURS: Full time, 36.25 hrs per week ALLOWANCE: Monthly training allowance (current national minimum wage),

accommodation and subsistence allowance for staying away overnight during residentials, work placements

THE POST:

An exciting opportunity for enthusiastic, motivated individuals with a passion for working outdoors and protecting Scotland’s mountain heritage, in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park with The Mountains and The People project.

The Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland are looking to recruit 8 motivated and dedicated individuals for the post of Trainee Upland Path Worker, to undertake a 6 month vocational and site work based training programme, with assessment to Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Level 2 standards in Environmental Conservation. This hands-on practical training will appeal to people from a range of backgrounds, providing the key practical skills required to enter a career in the field of upland path contracting in Scotland. The training programme focuses on upland path construction, maintenance and site landscape restoration. Specific core skills are also covered in promoting responsible public use of outdoors, environmental good practice, working with others, first aid, health and safety and habitat management and surveying.

All Trainees must carry out minimum of two work placements with upland path contractors and environmental conservation organisations, to get the experience of what it is like working in the world of upland path contracting and conservation. They must be willing to work as part of a team, have a reasonable level of fitness to walk out to work sites in the mountains, where they will carry out physically demanding path work in all weathers. They must have a desire to learn and develop new practical skills and show a personal commitment to finishing their work placements and the full training programme.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

To carry out all construction, maintenance and landscaping work activities on upland paths in accordance with the specifications, instructions and directions of Training Officer, contrac-tors and other OATS staff or staff from conservation organisations

To carry out all habitat management work activities in accordance with the specifications, in -structions and directions of Training Officer and staff from conservation organisations

To carry out all path and habitat management work activities in accordance with good health, safety and environmental working practices, policies and procedures

To safely use and maintain all hand tools, work equipment, materials and personal protec-tive equipment on site

To store securely all hand tools, work equipment and personal protective equipment at training centre tool store after use in a clean and serviceable condition

To communicate and work effectively with other team members, Training Officer, other OATS staff, contractors and staff from conservation organisations

To regularly write up work task evidence in an agreed format and compile this evidence as part of an SVQ portfolio, demonstrating your competence across 8 identified units, after completing the work activities, for assessment during six-month period of training

To undertake other work activities as reasonably requested.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

A passion for working outdoors and protecting national parks mountain heritage

A team player, able to work, discuss and solve problems in a team

Able to work to directions and instructions given by others

Experience of outdoor/ mountain environment (hill walking, climbing, etc.)

Able and willing to work in an outdoor/ mountain environment in all weathers

Reasonable level of fitness required to walk and work in a mountain/ outdoor environment

Able to work flexible hours when required

Keen, focused and determined to complete the training

Able to carry out physically demanding practical outdoor work

Desire to learn and develop new practical skills.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

Full UK driving licence

Trailer towing licence and experience of towing trailers

Relevant qualification (countryside, estate, forestry, landscape construction)

Relevant experience or volunteering of practical outdoor work in countryside, estate,

forestry, landscape construction.

HOURS OF WORK:

All Trainees will work 36.25 hours per week, mostly between 8am to 6pm. On some occasions, you will be required to work longer hours, such as during work placement with a contractor.

Work Placements and training will at times require Trainees to spend up to a week away from home.

A Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) system is in place allow any time worked outside of your normal working hours to be taken as leave and all accommodation and approved expenses will be met by the employer, OATS.

HOLIDAYS:

All trainees will accrue 18 days annual leave, 15 of which are at fixed periods for all Trainees to ensure everyone gets full benefit from the training course.

DURATION:

This is a fixed term employment for 6 months – starting Monday 23 April 2018 and finishing Friday 2 November 2018.