Visitor Services and Event Management
Working in visitor services and management including event management.
Many countryside sites and nature reserves welcome visitors or run events on and off site which promote the site, the organisation and explain the work being carried out to the general public as well as providing a source of income.
Some roles focus on the physical management of a visitor centre, others are of a more organisational type and deal with setting up and running promotional events on and off site as well as making provision for other groups who want to use the location. Some sites cater for holiday makers who stay in cottages and cabins or camp within the boundaries of the property, these bring another set of requirements.
If you're looking for Public Relations click here.
If you're looking for Interpretation click here.
Typical jobs include Visitor Centre Assistant / Manager, Events Programme Manager, Visitor Experience Officer, Recreation Ranger, Countryside Activities Officer, Beach Ranger, Visitor Attraction Manager.
The National Careers Service has role profiles of all of these and many more (click the links).
See current vacancies advertised with CJS here.
To gain the experience required volunteering is frequently a good start.
See current volunteering opportunities advertised with CJS here.
These type of jobs all require a basic understanding of the site, organisation or concepts being conveyed however these can usually be learnt on the job but candidates will need the ability to manage resources, organisation skills to set up events and be consummate communicators able to explain difficult concepts in simple terms. You may be required to manage volunteers, particularly for the event type roles.
For these type of roles a degree is not always necessary but prior experience is usually requested.
Using new technology to bring new visitors to Forestry Commission woods and forests in England - Forestry Commission
A day in the life of Jaanika Reinvald, Visitor Experience Assistant for the National Trust
Accessibility; more than just wheelchair accessible paths, Heritage Insider
The Bass Rock, Scottish Seabird Centre
Why Run Events?, Kent Wildlife Trust
Bungee Jumping in the Pass of Killiecrankie, the National Trust for Scotland
Interpreting Our Outdoor Heritage, Association for Heritage Interpretation
The Importance of Visitor Research, the Visitor Studies Group
How the MENE survey can help inform your work, Natural England
It's all a Question of Balance in Malham, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority