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Part Time Recreation Assistant

Shetland Recreational Trust
16,479 per year
Whalsay Leisure Centre
Part-time
15th March 2026
Listed today
HOURS OF WORK

Job Title

Part Time Recreation Assistant

Location

Whalsay Leisure Centre

(3-week Rota working pattern)

Hours of Work:   Average 20.5 hours per week.

(Based on a three-week working pattern)

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

MON
OFF

OFF

OFF

TUES
15.30 –
21.00
09.00 –
17.00
15.30 –
21.00

WED
15.30 –
21.00
12.30 –
17.00
12.30 –
17.00

THURS
09.00 –
13.00
15.30 –
21.00
15.30 –
21.00

FRI
11.30 –
17.30
OFF

OFF

SAT
OFF

09.00-
16.00
OFF

SUN
OFF

OFF

OFF

Rate of Pay:

£16,479 to £16,937 per annum incl. of Island Allowance

CLOSING DATE: 5PM, Sunday 15 March 2026
*If you do not hold an NPLQ, a swim test must be completed prior to Interview.

* SWIM TEST COMPRISES OF:
You must be able to complete the following:
•  Swim 100m on front continuously
•  Swim 100m on back continuously
•  Swim 50m within 60 seconds
•
Jump or Dive into deep water then tread water for 30 seconds
•  Retrieve object from 1.5m of water, climb out of pool unaided

17 May 2011

Job Description

This job description describes the practical purpose and main elements of the job. It is a
guide to the nature and main duties of the job as they exist currently but is not intended as
a wholly comprehensive or permanent schedule.

1.   Job Details

  Job Title

  Department

  Reports to

Recreation Assistant

Whalsay Leisure Centre

Centre Manager

  Reporting to Jobholder

No direct reports

  Salary Banding

H1-H3

2.   Overall Purpose of the Job

•

•

To work as part of a small team delivering a high standard of service to
customers, which ensures they can make full and safe use of the facilities.

To assist with the effective and efficient day to day running of the Centre.

3.  Job Dimensions

Budgets Controlled: Nil

Contacts:

Internal  –  Colleagues  within  the  facility  and  staff  from  other  SRT
departments.

External – Customers and visitors.

4.   Principal Accountabilities

1.  To ensure that equipment is set up and dismantled correctly, in safe working order

and according to customer needs.

2.  To operate as a pool lifeguard and attend training sessions regularly, as required to
ensure  the  National  Pool  Lifeguard  Qualification  is  up  to  date  and  personal
competency is maintained.

3.  To  patrol  all  areas  within  the  facility  and  maintain  health  and  safety,  security,

housekeeping and standards of behaviour.

4.  To carry out routine and periodic cleaning tasks.

5.  To carry out equipment checks and routine maintenance in accordance with Shetland

Recreational Trust guidelines or manufacturer’s instructions.

6.  To operate the reception and be fully conversant with all procedures relating to this
area,  this  will  include  answering  telephone  calls,  serving  customers,  dealing  with

1

customer feedback, suggestions and complaints, taking bookings, taking payments
and cashing up at the end of the day.

7.  To  provide  clear  and  accurate  information  in  a  polite  and  courteous  manner  to

customers at all times.

8.  To contribute to the development and implementation of a programme of activities
geared to improve the facility’s performance and to meet the needs of the community.

9.  To  provide  supervision  and  instruction  in  a  variety  of  activities,  this  might  include
leading activities such as exercise classes, teaching swimming, coaching sports and
leading children’s activities.

10.  To carry out daily plant and pool water treatment checks and take appropriate action

if required.

11.  To  carry  out  pool  backwashing  procedures  and  re-start  pool  plant  equipment

following power cuts.

12.  To  receive,  record  and  store  incoming  stock  and  re-stock  vending  machines  and

resale areas.

13.  From  time  to  time  be  the  “responsible  person”  on  duty  and  follow  the  correct

procedures for opening and closing the facility.

14.  To assist in the maintenance and preparation of outdoor areas.

15.  To take part in relevant training courses and development activities as directed by
the  Shetland  Recreational  Trust  to  maintain  and  improve  knowledge  and  skills
required for the role.

16.  To assist with the training and induction of other team members.

17.  To follow Shetland Recreational Trust’s policies and procedures.

18.  To carry out other similar and appropriate duties as required.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive, but they highlight a number of major tasks that
the post-holder may be reasonably expected to undertake.

Person Specification

5.   Experience / Qualifications

  Essential

1.  National Pool Lifeguard Qualification or ability to gain this within three months

employment.

2.  Minimum 3 Standard Grades at grade 1-3, or equivalent.

  Desirable

3.  Previous experience of working in a customer focused environment.

4.  Previous experience leading sport or children’s fun activities.

5.  National governing body teaching or coaching awards.

6.   Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

   Essential

2

1.  Maintain adequate levels of fitness in order to be able to complete the NPLQ

qualification at any time.

2.  Teamwork – work with others co-operatively.

3.  Able  to  verbally  communicate  information,  opinions,  ideas  or  instructions

clearly and effectively.

4.  Able  to  understand  and  complete  paperwork  associated  with  the  role  e.g.

accident forms, procedures, daily check sheets etc.

5.  Basic  numeracy  skills,  e.g.  cash  transactions,  count  stock,  read  and

understand measurements etc.

6.  Able to set out and move equipment as required.

7.  Use ICT effectively to perform a range of processing tasks.

8.  Maintain an awareness and be committed to equal opportunities.

Desirable

9.  Knowledge of Health and Safety.

7.   Personal Qualities / Attributes

  Essential

1.  Committed to providing excellent Customer Service.

2.  Smart appearance, polite, friendly and helpful to others.

3.  Ability to effectively lead activities for both children and adults.

4.  Ability to remain calm and work effectively under pressure.

5.  Self-motivated and willing to use own initiative.

6.  Punctual.

7.  Flexible and adaptable for e.g. hours of work, duties, learning new skills, etc.

Desirable

8.  None.

8.   Additional Comment

In the course of your duties you may have knowledge of, or access to information that
is confidential. It is essential that such information is safeguarded in accordance with
the UK Data Protection Act 2018; it should not be published or divulged other than to
authorise personnel, or used for any unofficial purposes. In cases of doubt about what
is confidential or who is authorised, your line manager must be consulted.

Note:

Every job description in SRT will be subject to a review either:

•  on an annual basis at the time of the annual appraisal meeting, or
•  as a result of a change in strategic direction, or
•  as a result of a team / operational requirements, or
•  as a result of agreed performance appraisal needs and objectives, or
•  within six months of appointment

3

Guidance Notes for Job Applicants

Thank  you  for  your  interest  in  working  for  Shetland  Recreational  Trust.  An  application  form
and further details relating to the post are enclosed.

For an effective and fair recruitment process we need accurate information from all applicants.
We  only  seek  information  that  is  relevant  for  each  vacancy  in  accordance  with  employment
law, namely the Equality Act 2010, Data Protection Regulations and the Immigration Act 2016.

Pre-employment checks will be undertaken and any offer of employment will be conditional
on the outcome of our vetting procedures.

Some of the checks we make are :

•  Checking the right to work in the U.K.
•  Disclosure Scotland and Criminal Records/Barring checks
•  References
•  Proof of qualifications

For  more  information  about  Shetland  Recreational  Trust  please  visit  our  website  at
www.srt.org.uk

Job Description and Person Specification
Read the job description carefully and start to think about whether or not you think you can
do  the  job,  whether  you  are  interested  in  it,  and  why.  The  person  specification  is  very
important. It tells you what we are looking for in terms of skills, knowledge, experience,  and
personal  qualities.  This  is  the  most  useful  document  for  helping  you  to  complete  the
application form effectively.

Application Form
Refer  to  the  job  description  and  person  specification  when  starting  to  complete  the
application  form.  It  may  be  useful  to  write  out  the  form  in  draft  to  avoid  mistakes  or
repetitions, then write out the actual form.

Make  sure  that  you  clearly  show  how  you  meet  the  essential  requirements  of  the  person
specification and include all the information you wish us to know. You will only be shortlisted
for interview if you provide information to show you meet these requirements.

Do not leave any section of the form blank. Write ‘none’ or ‘not applicable’ where you have no
information  to  provide.  It  is  advisable  to  keep  a  copy  of  the  completed  form  for  your  own
reference.

Personal information
We ask for these basic details so that we can contact you. If we are required to telephone you
at your current place of work, this will be done with the utmost discretion.

The  information  you  give  will  be  treated  in  strict  confidence  and  will  be  used  for  this  job
application  only.    Personal  data  is  carefully  destroyed  on  conclusion  of  the  recruitment
process, unless required for new employee records. All sensitive  data is handled in line with
current Data Protection Regulations.

F113 April 2023

References
When choosing your referees please ensure that they are people who know about your skills
and capabilities. One of these should be your present or most recent employer, or a  teacher
if,  you  have  just  left  education.  If  you  are  unable  to  give  two  such  names,  you  may  choose
someone  who  knows  you  in  a  personal  capacity  and  can  tell  us  about  your  character,
personality  and  honesty.  These  should  only  be  provided  if  no  other  referees  are  available,
should not be related to you, and you should state how you know this person.

Education/Training
List all qualifications, including any for which you are awaiting results. We may need to assess
whether  you  meet  the  required  qualifications  (if  any)  for  the  vacancy.  Please  include  any
relevant training.

Employment
Clearly show the details requested. When we ask about employment we are equally interested
in voluntary work and work experience, either paid or voluntary. Please account for any breaks
in employment, for example, as a result of returning to study, travel, unemployment etc.

Suitability and Experience
Give more details of your qualities, skills, experience, education and training. Demonstrate to
us  why  you  are  a  suitable  candidate.  Remember  to  make  sure  that  you  use  the  person
specification  and  try  to  illustrate  your  skills  and  experience  through  examples  of  your
achievements.You do not have to fill the whole space provided. Alternatively, you may wish to
use additional pages if necessary, although these should not be excessive.

Special Requirements or Health Checks
Please tell us of any ‘reasonable adjustments’ we can make to assist you in your application or
with our recruitment process.  Please contact Support Services to discuss in confidence.

Depending  on  the  duties  of  the  post,  we  may  require  new  entrants  to  complete  a  medical
questionnaire.  At interview, we may also ask health-related questions, but only to determine
if you can carry out an essential function of the job, e.g. swim, lift sports equipment.

Criminal Records checks
If  you  are  successful  at  interview  stage  you  will  be  required  to  obtain  either  a  Level  1
Disclosure  or  PVG  membership.  The  level  of  disclosure  check  depends  on  the  job  applied
for,  and  whether  it  is  considered  Regulated  Work  or  not  exempt  from  the  Rehabilitation  of
Offenders Act 1974 (as amended in 2013). All job offers are therefore conditional at interview
stage, and it may take 7 to 14 days for Disclosure or PVG membership details to be confirmed.

Additional Documentation / Information

No Smoking Policy
The Trust has a policy of working in a smoke free environment, including the use of vapes.

Declaration
You are now required to date and sign your application form and return it to;
Finance  &  Corporate  Services,  Shetland  Recreational  Trust,  Clickimin  Leisure  Complex,
Lochside, Lerwick. Shetland, ZE1 0PJ. Applicants are reminded that all information contained
in the form must be true and correct to the best of their knowledge. Any false information or
omissions may lead to summary dismissal.

F113 April 2023

Summary of Particulars of Employment

The  information  you  give  will  be  treated  in  strict  confidence  and  will  be  used  for  this  job
application  only.    Personal  data  is  carefully  destroyed  on  conclusion  of  the  recruitment
process, unless required for new employee records. All sensitive data is handled in line with
current Data Protection Regulations.

Summary for: All Job Applicants

Place of Work:

You  will  be  allocated  a  regular  place  of  work  however  employees  may  be
required to work at an alternative Shetland Recreational Trust venue during
their career with us if required

Hours of Work:

Full  time  hours  are  37  hours  exclusive  of  breaks  with  working  hours  as
arranged with your manager. Part time hours are offered on a pro rata basis

Disclosure checks:  You  will  require  a  Criminal  Records  check  with  Disclosure  Scotland;  either
membership  of  the  Protection  of  Vulnerable  Groups  Scheme  or  Level  1.
Employment, if offered, will be subject to satisfactory reports.

Pay:

Your rate of pay is based on the grade for your job description.  Where grades
have more than one level, placement is normally at the bottom of the grade.
For contracted staff progression takes place annually on the 1st of the month
following  your  12-month  anniversary  in  post,  subject  to  satisfactory
performance.

In addition to basic salary, a distant island allowance is payable at a nationally
agreed  rate.    Part-time  Employees’  Island  allowance  will  be  calculated  on  a
pro-rata basis.

Payment Method:

Paid monthly, by bank transfer in arrears

Previous Service:

Previous service with a relevant organisation under the Redundancy Payments
(Continuity  of  Employment  in  Local  Government,  etc.)  (Modification)  Order
1999 as amended will be recognised in accordance with that Order.

Probationary Period: Your  employment  is  subject  to  an  initial  probationary  period  of  six  months
during which your performance will be monitored.   This probationary period
may be extended by the Trust at its discretion. At the end of the probationary
period,  your  performance  will  be  evaluated,  and  the  Trust  will  confirm  in
writing with you its decision regarding your continued employment.

Your employment may be terminated on one week’s notice given by the Trust
at any time during or at the end of your probationary period (including any
extensions to the probationary period).

Annual Holidays:

The Trust’s holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Employees are entitled to 20 days paid annual holiday entitlement each year.
After 5 years’ continuous service with the Trust, the Employee will be entitled
to 5 additional annual leave days.
Part-time  Employees  will  accrue  annual  holiday  entitlement  on  a  pro-rata
basis.

Public Holidays:

Employees are entitled to 13 days’ public holidays each year.  Employees will
be informed of the relevant dates at the start of each holiday year.

Part-time Employees’ public holiday entitlement will be calculated on a pro-
rata basis.

Sick Pay:

If  you  are  absent  from  work  due  to  sickness  or  injury  and  comply  with  the
requirements of the Trust’s absence procedure, you will be paid Statutory Sick
Pay in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.

In addition to Statutory Sick Pay, you may also be entitled to receive Trust Sick
Pay, provided that all terms and conditions relating to the payment of Trust
Sick Pay are adhered to.

Pension:

Trust  employees  are  automatically  brought  into  the  Local  Government
Pension Scheme (LGPS) on commencement of employment unless they opt
out. The Trust has opted out of the state pension scheme and a contracting-
out certificate is in force.

Notice:

You are required to give one month’s notice to terminate your employment.

Diversity:

If  you  have  a  disability  and  need  assistance  in  completing  your  application
form, or if you are shortlisted and have special requirements for the interview,
please contact us to discuss your needs.

Other Benefits:
All Shetland Recreational Trust employees can benefit from a corporate staff leisure scheme, offering
them discounted access to our facilities and also to classes and activities. The Trust also operates a
Cycle2Work Scheme, which allows employees to benefit from tax and National Insurance savings on
the cost of a new bike.  The Trust also operates a Cycle2Work Scheme, which allows employees to
benefit from Tax and National Insurance savings on the cost of a new bike.  Also  as an employee of
the SRT you are able to access to our free Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), provided by Care
First to all employees of SRT.

Please note that this is a summary of Shetland Recreational Trust conditions of employment. If you
are successful at interviews and offered employment, the specific conditions that apply to you will
be detailed in your contract.

Finance & Corporate Services, Clickimin Leisure Complex, Lochside, Lerwick, ZE1 0PJ
Tel: 01595741000

                                                                                           Recruitment T&C/v.1 2023