Can I apply for a Long Term Staff positions even if I have not been a Short Term Staff before?
Of course! Some positions might require previous staff experience, but then it would be explicitly written in the essential requirements.
Can I apply to be a pinkie if I'm physically disabled?
It is important that anyone applying to volunteer at KISC understands that life as a Kandersteg Staff member in the Alps environment can be demanding, as the Centre is located at 1,200 metres above sea level. Our selection team will not discriminate according to health conditions, however it is important for KISC to know how can we support the volunteer’s general physical and mental safety and well-being while volunteering at KISC. Therefore, it is very important for the applicant to assess to what extent they would be able to volunteer in the different areas of KISC.
On another note, KISC provides an accident insurance to all volunteers but short term volunteers such as Short Term Staff are responsible for covering their ownhealth insurance. Therefore, it is important for you to look into what your requirements whilst in Switzerland might be, particularly as medical costs are known to be very expensive.
Considering the above, we would encourage you to think through all aspects of the KISC volunteering programme and how you could make the most of the experience while in a safe environment. We hope this helped and will be looking forward your application! If you would like to discuss your application by phone or ask any questions, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and ask to speak to the Staff Development Director.
Can I withdraw my application after submiting it?
Yes, just let us know as soon as possible by email if you cannot volunteer at KISC anymore.
I've been selected as staff, can I arrive a couple of days earlier to my starting day?
Of course it is a possibility! Just make sure you communicate and coordinate about this as much in advance as possible.
My availability doesn't match the vacancy volunteering period... can I still apply?
For Short and Long Term Staff roles, we prefer candidates that are available for the whole time as we start those positions with an induction and training period that helps the volunteers performing their jobs. For helpers we usually also look at specific dates but the volunteering periods are more flexible in their duration.
Just let us know what is your availability when you apply and if you would be able to complete the volunteering cycle period.
Do ex-staff get discount?
Once a volunteer at KISC has completed a season at KISC and officialy become "ex-staff", they can enjoy discounts on overnights and catering when booking their stay. If you are ex-staff and booking your stay to come back, please make sure you mention that you have been staff in the past!
I really want to apply for STS for next year, but I don't have my passport yet. Can I apply anyway or do I have to have my passport first?
If you are already in the process of getting it, it is okay to send it to us within a few days from sending us the application. If you happen to be selected and we will not have your passport, your spot will be offered to someone else.
If I apply as STS, can I come later than when the season starts?
In the first couple of weeks of the season we will be training all of our volunteers—therefore it is important that you are available for the whole time. If you won't be able to join for the full training, we might need to consider offering the vacancy to people on the waiting list.
I'm just 16 and the required age to be staff is 18. So, can I apply now and join later when I'm 18?
One of the requirements to become a staff member at KISC is to be at least 18 years old on the day you arrive here. You don’t need to rush with the applications when you are 16. You can apply about half a year before turning 18.
Do I need to pay to become Short Term Staff?
Our Short Term Staff are here on an entirely voluntary basis. However, there are a lot of other benefits included, such as accommodation, food, accident insurance and staff programme. You would have to organise and pay your travels here yourself, possible visa fees and some pocket money to cover your personal expenses while in Switzerland.
If I apply as staff will the Centre support me financially?
We do not guarantee any direct financial support to Short Term Staff. However, we do our best to fundraise money and apply for different projects to provide some extra support. Long Term Staff receive a monthly pocket money of approximately CHF 400.- .
My country is not a member of neither EU nor EFTA, but I would like to volunteer with you, what are to possibilities?
If you don't have an EU/EFTA passport, you will stand a better chance if you are under 35 years old at the time of your work period, as that is the age limit for the visas we can receive. Once you are selected, all necessary for the work permit will be organised with you.
I have never been a staff before, can I still apply to become a Helper?
In general, we only take Helpers who have been staff before—especially during the busy times when we don’t have the capacity to train non ex-staff. Those busy times are usually also the only times we would need Helpers for. Therefore, it would very much depend on the time of the year and our Helper needs. Sometimes we do take Helpers who haven’t been staff before, but if we have plenty of requests from ex-staff to return as Helpers they get priority.
Is it possible to do an internship at KISC?
Sometimes KISC offers the possibility of an internship. In these cases, we will have the opportunity showing up in the Jobs & Volunteering page. If no internship positions are available, you may still choose to do your internship at KISC, either as Long Term Staff or Short Term Staff, for which particular frameworks and same selection processes apply.
