Recruiting Warden – Ardaluin Regeneration Trust & Belfast Activity Centre

Our Vision

To help young people change lives, advance their learning  & build a better future, join our dynamic team to deliver progressive, creative and challenging outdoor adventure learning and award schemes so young people can have the skills, confidence and self-belief to achieve their full potential. Be part of something special.

Our Need

Warden - Full time permanent, based at Ardaluin Regeneration Trust, but flexible to travel and work across NI when required.

Our Offer

Salary £20,000 - £23,625 pa depending upon relevant qualifications and experience.

We also offer a generous employer supported pension scheme and annual leave entitlement alongside health & continuing professional support and benefits.

 MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POST

• To ensure a safe and secure residential and camping environment and ensure the welfare of all residential and camping clients, with a focus on those aged under 18.
• To oversee the provision of residential accommodation at Ardaluin House for up to 50 resident clients per overnight booking from a wide spectrum of visiting groups primarily from the voluntary, community and statutory children and youth sectors and to ensure that the appropriate services and statutory regulations and compliances are maintained.
• To oversee the provision of camping accommodation and facilities within the ground at Ardaluin House for up to 200 clients per overnight booking from a wide spectrum of visiting groups primarily from the voluntary, community and statutory (children and youth) sectors and to ensure that the appropriate services and statutory regulations and compliances are maintained. This will include supporting the COO with the strategic development of Ardaluin camping facilities for the establishment and development of Ardaluin camping for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award / Gaisce – The President's Award and/or International Award training and expeditions for Bronze, Silver and Gold Award accreditation.
• To coordinate routine maintenance and repairs for Ardaluin House and site coordinating with service providers and contractors as required to ensure the highest standard of health and safety, regulatory adherence and compliance and good customer/client experience and service.
• The post holder will be working as part of a dynamic team of staff and volunteers who, under the direction of an assigned supervisor, will be responsible for the delivery of short and longer term personal and social development programmes alongside adventure learning activity sessions, special events and fundraising events.
• The post holder will have a major focus on safety and quality with an attention to detail to ensure that all statutory regulations are compliant, that residential and camping facilities, resources and services are delivered against measureable outcomes set against agreed key performance indicators (KPI’s). They will be required to demonstrate problem solving skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide spectrum of people whilst prioritising and balancing a complex workload.
• The post holder will have a knowledge and experience of the outdoor activities sector for providing residential and/or camping accommodation alongside outdoor adventure learning activities and programmes. They must support and develop established programmes and projects and take a lead with the development of new programmes providing direct assistance as necessary to enable them to function effectively.
• The post holder will take a lead responsibility and accountability for coordinating the maintenance of the house and site infrastructure, facilities, equipment and resources and site ground works.  In addition, the post holder will support the development and delivery of adventure learning based activities and programmes delivered at and through Ardaluin House. The Post Holder will be responsible for ensuring that all accommodation and adventure based activities comply with established Health & Safety, Policies and Procedures including established Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessments. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that the wider staff team comply with all Health and Safety standards and deliver programmes and activities that meet the aims and objectives of the Charity and maintain the Charity partners’ (BAC) Adventure Mark Gold Standard quality assurance and safety accreditation.
• All staff are expected to provide a Safe, Fun and Educational environment to achieve our vision for “Changing Lives, Building Futures”

Essential criteria

The post holder will be expected to:

• Hold a minimum of two recognised National Governing Body Awards or Qualifications that are deemed to be appropriate to the operational or developmental needs of Ardaluin and/or the individual projects/programmes. The Post Holder must be prepared to undertake approved additional training if required.
• Experience of working with a broad range of people including young people from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds or communities, young people with a recognised physical or mental disability, individuals and/or groups from ethnic or minority communities.
• Demonstrate a minimum of one years’ experience working within a residential or camping centre or environment
• Have developed good leadership, training, communication, time management and presentation skills with the ability to be a strong team leader and player, but also the ability to work on own initiative.
• Hold a current clean driving license including a licensed entitlement to drive a minibus (D1) with CPC Card and an entitlement to tow a trailer (D1+E)
• Have basic computer skills and the ability to self-generate typed reports.

Desirable Criteria

• Have a recognised third level qualification in youth work, disability or special needs, education, a sports related discipline or a health related specialism.
• Be able to demonstrate the ability to work effectively with a range of age and profile groups including young families, children, youth, young adults and/or older persons.
• Have a knowledge and understanding of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award / An Grace Presidents Award / International Award and experience of supporting the training and planning for the expedition section of the Award at either Bronze, Silver or Gold level.
• Hold a valid First Aid certificate.

 NB       The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are not meant to be definitive or restrictive and may be modified to meet changing needs.

It will be the responsibility of the post holder to

• maintain their continuing personal awareness of current issues and good practices within the outdoor activities sector, residential and camping site facilities and centres
• identify appropriate training requirements for their continuing professional development
• ensure that professional and national governing body accreditations and memberships to practice in the areas of their responsibility are maintained.

Closing Date:

Friday 13th January 2023

For an application pack please contact [email protected]