Summer Short Term Staff 2024
Role detail
The Short Term Staff are Scouts and Guides who come to volunteer at KISC for one season. Summer is 'high season' at the World Scout Centre when most Scouts visit from around the world and take part in different activities at the Permanent Mini Jamboree. Summer Short-Term Staff are divided into three key areas:
- Catering/Shop: During the summer season, the catering team serves about 50,000 delicious meals to our staff and guests. They work alongside the catering long-term staff daily, learning how the kitchen works, how to cook for a high number of people, keep up with the Swiss hygiene and food safety standards, all while working in an international team of volunteers and providing all scouts visiting an amazing catering experience. In our shop, staff meets guests from all around the world and work on the till, surrounded by all the coolest memorabilia and merchandise of the permanent mini-jamboree.
- Programme: Our summer programme team is broken up into three main areas: Activity guides who run all the workshops, Hike guides who provide guided hiking to our guests and Climbing guides who provide a climbing experience in the Alps to our guests. All programme guides work together and support in other areas when needed to ensure that all our guests have a fantastic and memorable experience while taking part in the programme over the summer.
- Campsite/House: The campsite/house team is responsible for the smooth running of the campsite and our buildings over the summer. Working at the campsite, short-term staff are in charge of many tasks... from checking guests into their site to daily cleaning of the facilities, managing equipment rentals and overseeing the recycling Centre. There is always work to be done on the grounds and managing the campsite office to provide a point of contact for the campsite guests. The House team looks after the checking in our guests in our buildings, preparing rooms, daily cleaning, laundry and providing a great guest experience. This team loves funny hats, chatting around the folding table and listening to epic playlists!
If you want to have an unforgettable summer, apply to be a Pinkie and part of a team of 100 volunteers leading the World Scout Centre!
Requirements
- Needs to be at least 18 years old
- Is a member of an Association recognised by WOSM/WAGGGS
- Ability to communicate in English
Skills & Qualifications
Essential
- Ability to work with an international team of volunteers
- Affinity for customer service and guest contact
- Good communication skills
- Positive attitude towards work
- Willingness to work according to a flexible schedule
Desirable
- Has an active scouting life
- Experience in cleaning and/or cooking
- Experience with rock climbing and/or hiking
- Ability to lead activities
Main tasks
Main tasks
- Ensure a high quality of guest service at all times
- Prepare meals for guests and staff (including catering for special dietary requirements)
- Clean guest and staff areas to the hygiene standards set out by KISC
- Work outdoors to maintain the camping ground and facilities
- Work in the KISC shop
- Lead activities for KISC guests
- Assist in the planning and organisation of laundry
- Assist in organisation of special events
- Assist in the control and organisation of guest Recycling in all buildings
- Be “on duty” on a rotational basis, including helping guests outside working hours and assisting in the coordination of possible emergencies
Other responsibilities
- Deal with any guest enquiries relating to the Centre
- Care for all staff working at the Centre
- Participate in Short Term Staff training and development
- Assist in other areas of the Centre where necessary
- Involvement in the execution of the Centre’s Operational Plan
Management
General
The position of the Short Term Staff is a key one, as without their intense work the Centre wouldn’t be able to serve over 15’000 guests yearly.
Line manager
The line managers of short-term staff for summer depend on the department the STS volunteers in. STS working in the Programme team are line-managed by the Programme Director, STS in the Campsite/House are line-managed by the Guests Services Director, and STS from the Catering/Shop team are line-managed by the Organizational Development Director.
Daily work is regularly supervised by Long Term Staff from different teams. The Short Term Staff has weekly meetings with their teams including LTS and Line managers to cover operational matters and also has regular one-on-one appraisals.
Team management
Short Term Staff will have regular contact with other members of the Short and Long Term Staff team and it is essential to build a good working relationship and honest communication with them.
Practical information
Insurance
- Accident Insurance (provided by the Centre): Everyone is insured for accidents, both work and non-work related while working at KISC. Dental treatment is only covered if the damage was caused by an accident.
- Private Liability Insurance (provided by the Centre): This insurance covers any damage caused by any staff on an object or person.
- If you are accepted as a Short Term Staff, we strongly recommend that you arrange your own private travel insurance to cover sickness, routine dental treatment, travel to and from Kandersteg, and other cases/material that you consider important, as this is not provided by the Centre.
- If you are from an EU member country and have a EHIC-European Health Insurance Card, you will be requested to pay on the spot and claim for a reimbursement once back in your country.
Benefits
- There are lots of benefits detailed here on our website.
Important information
Visa
- Citizens of EU/EFTA countries do not need a visa, and the Centre secures the necessary work permit.
- For citizens of non EU/EFTA countries the visa process is more complicated but with a high chance of successful visa application. If you don't have a EU/EFTA passport, you have to be under 35 years old at the time of your volunteer period, as that is the age limit for the visas we can receive. The Centre secures the necessary work permit.
