Catching a boat to the office could be your day to day with rare new job opportunity in Suffolk
The National Trust are looking for a new Ferry Operator
Last updated 28th Mar 2022
Passengers on a Ferry trip
Passengers on a Ferry trip
Catching a boat to the office could be your day to day with the rare new job opportunity in Suffolk.
Property Operations Manager at Orford Ness, Glen Pearce told us more about what the job includes.
"National Trust, this is quite a rare job. This is a chance to be the ferry operator for the National Trust, Orford Ness National Nature Reserve."
"We are an island site, so we have visitors come across on our ferry we're open for visitors from April through October. So this is the person that is responsible for bringing all our visitors on and off site safely."
Glen told us that this is a rare job because whoever is successful in their application will be the only National Trust ferry person.
He also told us how the job has evolved in recent years.
"In the past, it was purely on the ferry operator...You do work more hours in the summer when we're open. But during the winter, we're asking people to get involved in helping with the maintenance. So we're looking for someone sort of handy with tools, DIY, etc. So lots of buildings on the site."
Glen told us more details about the job, including
"We have listed buildings, scheduled monuments, buildings, dating back 80 years as a top secret military test site, so lots of really fascinating buildings."
"Exposed coastal locations means they always need updating and always need maintaining. So during the winter would asking someone to carry that sort of work for us."
"But also in the summer as well as being the boat operator, you are really the face of Orford so you are the one person that sees every single visitor, both on the way on and on the way off.
"So it's about providing a really good warm welcome. Obviously it's showing people safety on the boat across, but also making sure they (the guests) are happy. (and the person who gets the job) has a great time answering questions, (they are) really sort of that public face."
We asked Glen what makes the job so appealing.
"The opportunity to be out on a river. It's a beautiful stretch of river."
"The river it's a very short journey. So the ferry crossing itself takes about 3:00 or 4 minutes, but it's quite challenging river, it's quite tidal.
"So lots of strong currents gets very busy in the summer with yachts and pleasure crafts. You're weaving away in.
"So it's a good test of everyone's boat skills, but also how often do you get a chance to work on an island that was a top secret military test site, there is still that air of mystery about the site."
"It's a fascinating sites work and you know how many people get to catch a boat to go to the office."
We also spoke to Glen about what kind of people they were looking for, and what skills the applicants needed to have.
We need someone with strong boat handling experience."
"I'm ideally looking for someone with a qualification called ARYA Power Boat. Two qualification. There are equivalents out there, so we'll accept sort of equivalent qualifications.
"But someone with really strong boat handling skills and someone who doesn't mind being out in all weathers.
"It's not always glorious sunshine. Sadly, you know how the great British summer can be, wet and windy out and it's by an exposed river.
"Someone with great customer service skills somewhat enjoys talking to people.
"There's a wide range of people we meet, and so we want someone to be that positive, smiling face.
"And then there's getting to the winter, somebody that's really adaptable, happy to help out doing some maintenance tasks, helping out with everything else on site."
"Applications are open until March the 27th, so people can apply on the National Trust jobs websites and if they search for it, it will bring up the vacancy.
"Once we've passed the closing date, and we've gone through all the applications, we will be inviting people in for interview and there also be a short test on the boat to see how they operate the boats
"And then (we're) hoping to appoint someone fairly quickly. Our season starts at Easter. So we open on Good Friday, three weeks from today.
"So somebody that can join us ASAP, it will get us into full flow ahead of the busy summer season."