Assistant Swim Guide - SwimTrek
Assistant Swim Guide Swim Guides run SwimTrek’s tours at over 25 worldwide locations. The role requires experience and passion for open water swimming, combined with an excellent understanding of water safety and strong communication skills. Job Title: Responsible to: Responsible for: Location: Fee Structure: Benefits:
Hours:
Contract Terms
Assistant Swim Guide Operations Manager of SwimTrek All SwimTrek guests and Assistant Swim Guides. In one of more of the countries that SwimTrek operates Guides are contracted as independent consultants. Contracts are settled as a lump sum on completion. All accommodation and meals at the location of work; All necessary visas and vaccinations; Travel expenses to and from tour location, inside the UK and overseas; Travel Insurance while on work assignments. 24/7 while on location with groups. Occasionally there are periods of time while on location where you may be asked to do a recce or fulfil other duties. Tours usually run back to back for the duration of the contract. Time periods of contracts vary from 7 days to 6 months. Service contracts offered on a self-employed basis.
Principal Accountabilities The principal accountabilities are the key responsibilities of the role: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
To work with the Lead Guide in organising and carrying out SwimTrek’s tours on location. Being responsible overall for the safety of the clients in your care. Being the face of SwimTrek at all times whilst on tour, behaving professionally and appropriately. Making day to day decisions on changes to tour schedule, in cooperation with the Lead Guide. Deliver a full safety briefing prior to commencing trip swims, updating guests on any safety issues as the trip progresses and informing the office of any significant issues relating to safety. Assist the Lead Guide in organising safety support, for example liaising with the boat pilot, and ensuring all safety equipment is suitable and ready for use on all open water swims. This includes RIBs and boats. Providing open water swimming technique advice to guests. Getting wet when required, although this may be limited as providing adequate safety cover is always the first priority. Guiding on walks prior to/after the swims. Being a source of local information for the group. Co-ordinate any issues between head office, guides and other stakeholders. Completing all trip paperwork including risk assessments, accident report forms and trip reports and return them to SwimTrek head office. Purchasing weekly food supplies for group and helping to prepare lunch and sometimes dinner for the group. Coordinating and carrying out any water/land based rescues as and when required. Working with the Lead Guide to provide a quality trip for all guests, ensuring that each guest individually feels part of the group and the group gels well. Assisting in checking in guests to hotels and resolving issues as they arise. To deal impartially with guest’s issues, worries and complaints. Going out with the group in the evening. To be reassuring, confident and tactful in dealing with all parties. To ensure the well-being of guest’s health and act as first aider for the group.
The list of responsibilities should not be considered exhaustive. You may be required to undertake various other duties as reasonably be required. Page 1 of 2 Reviewed February 2015
Assistant Swim Guide Person Specification The person specification outlines the key skills, knowledge and experience that you need to fulfil this role. Skills and Abilities
Essential Desirable To be able to make difficult decisions, manage To be able to speak a foreign language. challenging situations and prioritise effectively under pressure; To have excellent communication skills; To have excellent organisational skills; To have a high standard of swimming ability; To be able to professionally represent SwimTrek; To be able to follow guidance and policy; To be able to work in an outdoor environment for prolonged periods of time; To be physically fit and able to perform a rescue; To be able to lead and work effectively within a team; Knowledge and Training/Education Essential Desirable Knowledge of open water environments and Knowledge of the locations SwimTrek associated risks; operates in; Knowledge of effective open water swimming ASA Level I or II teaching qualifications or techniques and coaching; swimming coaching qualifications; To hold a current SLSGB/RLSS Beach Lifeguard To hold a full Drivers Licence (no qualification or foreign equivalent;* endorsements). To hold a current First Aid at Work Qualification or Knowledge of the risk assessment process; foreign equivalent;* To hold a current RYA Powerboat Level 2 Qualification and International Certificate of Competency;* To hold a Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2;* Knowledge and understanding of both nautical and land based maps and ability to use them for effective navigation.
* These qualifications must be obtained before you commencing work and must be kept valid. Experience
Essential Experience of and passion for open water swimming; Experience of food preparation; Experience of working in a customer focused role.
Page 2 of 2 Reviewed February 2015
Desirable Experience providing safety cover in open water; Experience of working in a supervisory position; Experience of managing expenses and keeping within a budget; Experience of providing first aid;
Hours:
Contract Terms
Assistant Swim Guide Operations Manager of SwimTrek All SwimTrek guests and Assistant Swim Guides. In one of more of the countries that SwimTrek operates Guides are contracted as independent consultants. Contracts are settled as a lump sum on completion. All accommodation and meals at the location of work; All necessary visas and vaccinations; Travel expenses to and from tour location, inside the UK and overseas; Travel Insurance while on work assignments. 24/7 while on location with groups. Occasionally there are periods of time while on location where you may be asked to do a recce or fulfil other duties. Tours usually run back to back for the duration of the contract. Time periods of contracts vary from 7 days to 6 months. Service contracts offered on a self-employed basis.
Principal Accountabilities The principal accountabilities are the key responsibilities of the role: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
To work with the Lead Guide in organising and carrying out SwimTrek’s tours on location. Being responsible overall for the safety of the clients in your care. Being the face of SwimTrek at all times whilst on tour, behaving professionally and appropriately. Making day to day decisions on changes to tour schedule, in cooperation with the Lead Guide. Deliver a full safety briefing prior to commencing trip swims, updating guests on any safety issues as the trip progresses and informing the office of any significant issues relating to safety. Assist the Lead Guide in organising safety support, for example liaising with the boat pilot, and ensuring all safety equipment is suitable and ready for use on all open water swims. This includes RIBs and boats. Providing open water swimming technique advice to guests. Getting wet when required, although this may be limited as providing adequate safety cover is always the first priority. Guiding on walks prior to/after the swims. Being a source of local information for the group. Co-ordinate any issues between head office, guides and other stakeholders. Completing all trip paperwork including risk assessments, accident report forms and trip reports and return them to SwimTrek head office. Purchasing weekly food supplies for group and helping to prepare lunch and sometimes dinner for the group. Coordinating and carrying out any water/land based rescues as and when required. Working with the Lead Guide to provide a quality trip for all guests, ensuring that each guest individually feels part of the group and the group gels well. Assisting in checking in guests to hotels and resolving issues as they arise. To deal impartially with guest’s issues, worries and complaints. Going out with the group in the evening. To be reassuring, confident and tactful in dealing with all parties. To ensure the well-being of guest’s health and act as first aider for the group.
The list of responsibilities should not be considered exhaustive. You may be required to undertake various other duties as reasonably be required. Page 1 of 2 Reviewed February 2015
Assistant Swim Guide Person Specification The person specification outlines the key skills, knowledge and experience that you need to fulfil this role. Skills and Abilities
Essential Desirable To be able to make difficult decisions, manage To be able to speak a foreign language. challenging situations and prioritise effectively under pressure; To have excellent communication skills; To have excellent organisational skills; To have a high standard of swimming ability; To be able to professionally represent SwimTrek; To be able to follow guidance and policy; To be able to work in an outdoor environment for prolonged periods of time; To be physically fit and able to perform a rescue; To be able to lead and work effectively within a team; Knowledge and Training/Education Essential Desirable Knowledge of open water environments and Knowledge of the locations SwimTrek associated risks; operates in; Knowledge of effective open water swimming ASA Level I or II teaching qualifications or techniques and coaching; swimming coaching qualifications; To hold a current SLSGB/RLSS Beach Lifeguard To hold a full Drivers Licence (no qualification or foreign equivalent;* endorsements). To hold a current First Aid at Work Qualification or Knowledge of the risk assessment process; foreign equivalent;* To hold a current RYA Powerboat Level 2 Qualification and International Certificate of Competency;* To hold a Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2;* Knowledge and understanding of both nautical and land based maps and ability to use them for effective navigation.
* These qualifications must be obtained before you commencing work and must be kept valid. Experience
Essential Experience of and passion for open water swimming; Experience of food preparation; Experience of working in a customer focused role.
Page 2 of 2 Reviewed February 2015
Desirable Experience providing safety cover in open water; Experience of working in a supervisory position; Experience of managing expenses and keeping within a budget; Experience of providing first aid;
