Senior Recreation Assistant/Duty Manager
- Job title: Senior Recreation Assistant/Duty Manager
- Job Type: Permanent, Full time
- Salary: Circa 24,668 dependent on qualifications & experience
- Department: Mallison Sports Centre
- Reporting to: Mallinson General Manager
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: As soon as possible
- Closing Date: 27 October 2023 at 5:00 pm
We have an exciting opportunity for a Duty Manager/Senior Recreation Assistant to join the friendly Mallinson Sports Centre at Highgate School. We are looking to appoint an ambitious, hard working, enthusiastic individual to join our team and assist in managing our daily programme for Highgate pupils, staff, parents and visiting public during dynamic schedule, where we are operating the facilities for over 100 hours a week.
We are keen to hear from anyone who feels that they meet the criteria of the position, we are particularly interested to talk with anyone with previous experience in the leisure industry and working in sports and leisure facilities.
However, full training can be provided to the right candidate to help them meet the essential qualifications criteria.
The Department
The Mallinson team provide strategic, operational and commercial support for the Mallinson Sports Centre which is part of Highgate School.
We are a collaborative, dynamic team who are customer-focused, multi-tasking and passionate about sports and fitness.
The Mallinson Sports Centre services the needs of the extended School family and the local community as well as those of our pupils. During term time the Centre is used exclusively by the School between 7am and 6pm and outside these times and at weekends the community use programme is in place.
The successful candidate will be joining the Mallinson team at a truly exciting time during a 10 year development plan of the facilities which is already in progress. You will be able to develop your knowledge of the leisure and school industry whilst developing your communication and team working skills.
Sport has traditionally held a significant place in the life of Highgate and the sports facilities are excellent. Highgate has extensive playing fields covering some 20 acres with squash, tennis and Eton Fives courts. The Mallinson Sports Centre consists of a large sports hall, a cricket hall, a 25m swimming pool, squash courts and a weights suite together with a social area, ancillary offices and changing accommodation.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
THE ROLE
To provide day to day operational supervision of the Mallinson Sports Centre and to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all users of the Centre. To provide support to the Sport and Exercise (SpEx) Department as required.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assume responsibility for the Centre’s operations and SpEx requirements on a shift rota basis, ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the facility including conducting accurate and timely set-ups and take-downs and changeovers.
- Oversee, monitor and organise the storage of sports equipment.
- Take responsibility for the audit & stock control of sports equipment and purchase ordering as necessary (upon agreement with Operation Managers).
- Daily responsibility for coordinating equipment requirements for SpEx lessons, as well as ensuring all equipment is returned to the correct storage location after use.
- Ensure that all concerns of a child safeguarding nature are referred in a timely and appropriate manner in accordance with Highgate Safeguarding Policy.
- Oversee and assist the preparation of all areas for activities and special events as required.
- Co-ordinate the efficient and effective deployment of the team, to meet the financial and operational demands of the centre.
- Undertake reception, rigging and derigging, cleaning and pool supervision as required.
- Undertake coaching, including delivering birthday parties and holiday camps, as and when required.
- Ensure the safe storage of all chemicals and equipment to comply with COSHH regulations.
- Assist in the development and management of a well-balanced activity and event programme.
- Monitor the water quality, air and water temperature, plant, equipment and building services, ensuring compliance with agreed tasks and standards.
- Prepare reports on the Centre’s operations, events and incidents where necessary.
- Ensure that the Centre is secure and maintained to the required standards of cleanliness and repair.
- Carry out and supervise cleaning tasks in accordance with the Centre’s cleaning schedules.
- Carry out and supervise contract cleaning checks.
- Carry out daily/weekly and monthly building checks, appropriately flagging any relevant findings or necessary corrective action.
- Carry out pool testing and other health and safety checks as directed by Centre management.
- Carry out minor repairs and remedial work to equipment where necessary.
- Assist with deliveries to the centre, storage and stock control.
- Deliver induction, training, appraisal, development and performance management of staff where required.
- Establish and maintain excellent relationships with our customers and potential customers, handling and escalating complaints where appropriate.
- Adhere to the Health and Safety procedures, operating procedures, customer service standards and uniform policy at all times.
- Co-ordinate and directly provide first aid cover for School sports fixtures.
- To develop and maintain knowledge of the Centre’s risk assessments.
- Follow the Centre’s risk assessments in respect of health and safety at all times.
- Attend staff training and briefings to stay updated and to maintain and retain appropriate job specific qualifications.
These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide.
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Qualifications and experience
Essential
- First Aid qualification or ability to obtain it within 3 months of start date.
- Pool Plant Operator qualification or ability to obtain it within 3 months of start date.
- Qualified and experienced
- National Pool Lifeguard or ability to obtain it within 3 months of start date.
- Understanding of relevant health and safety legislation.
- Supervisory experience in the
- hospitality or service industries.
Desirable
- Educated and qualified to Level3 within a leisure or management related filed or equivalent.
- Coaching qualifications.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
- Evidence of continued profession development.
- Knowledge of child protection
- Knowledge / Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills including the ability to appropriately correct behavior of pool users where necessary.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with pupils, parents, staff and the wider School community.
- The ability to maintain in strictest confidence any information received concerning School matters.
- The ability to remain calm and composed under pressure.
- Problem solving skills and the ability to apply diplomacy and tact when appropriate.
- Strong swimmer.
- Good standard of physical fitness
- To be flexible in working arrangements/hours to suit thedemands of the position.
- Personal Attributes
Essential
- A professional, solutions-focused and proactive ‘can-do’ approach.
- Demonstrate excellent attention to detail and be well organised and can operate independently under a broad direction.
- Good communicator both internal and client facing.
- Maintaining a smart appearance at all times.
Benefits
Location | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Pension | AVIVA workplace pension scheme offered with a generous 21% employer contribution.
Personal development | Comprehensive induction support for new staff. Focus on continued professional development for all employees.
Leisure facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and swimming pool (recently refurbished).
Holidays | Generous holiday allowance of 33 days (including bank holidays) for full-time staff. Most holidays will be taken during school holiday periods.
Lunch | A complimentary lunch.
Help with sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
Family-friendly policies | Highgate appreciates that employees sometimes have family commitments so we try to be as supportive as possible, for example with enhanced maternity pay (8 weeks’ full pay, then 10 weeks’ half pay) and paid dependant leave.
Working at Highgate
A culture of community, kindness and belonging
Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
In a recent ISI inspection (Dec 2021), it was noted that “Pupils show exceptional respect for, and appreciate diversity within the school and wider community, and their own and other cultures, demonstrating sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions.”
Staff wellbeing
Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Charitable work and sustainability
As an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible – through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham – an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.
Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.
As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.
Application procedure
- Closing Date: 27th October 2023
- Timing of interviews: As soon as possible
Contact: Recruitment Team are happy to answer any questions about this post.
Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
Inclusion
We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro-divergence) when you submit your application.
Safeguarding
As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If whilst in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community; these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.
Please read before you apply
Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities.
Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.