2025 Season - Retail & Cafe Assistant
Herm Shop and Harbour Cafe
Vacancy listed 01/01/2025
Application deadline 30/04/2025
Details
Contract Type: Fixed Term Seasonal
Start Date: Various between 31/03/2025 - 02/06/25
End Date: Various between 07/09/25 - 05/10/25
Department: Retail & Hospitality/Food Service
Reports to: Retail Manager
Key Reports: N/A
Hours per Week: Average 30 - 48 across the season
Key Benefits: 
  • Flat 20% Income Tax rate over personal allowance, plus low Social Security rate
  • Zero VAT
  • Competitive board & lodging rates
  • Free ferry travel between Herm and Guernsey
  • Staff discounts on-island
  • Preferential accommodation rates for Friends and Family outside of Peak Season
  • Stunning beaches with exceptional sea swimming / kayaking / SUP opportunities
  • On the job training to include Level 2 Food Hygiene certification


Vacancies Available
 
We have several vacancies for this role with different contract start and end dates. We will be recruiting continuously until all are filled.
 

Role Summary 

This role sits within the team in the Herm Shop and the attached Harbour Café. You will be expected to deliver fantastic levels of customer service whether advising on a clothing range, a Herm souvenir or potential allergens in the ice creams and snacks.  


Key Responsibilities

  • Be customer focused at all times, we value enthusiasm and integrity, a can do attitude and someone who enjoys working in a fun and fast paced environment. 
  • Offer friendly and efficient customer service both at the till points and on the shop floor. 
  • You will keep the shop and outside areas clean and tidy and ensure that the stock is always kept replenished. 
  • Deliveries should be processed quickly and efficiently with accurate price labelling whilst keeping the stockrooms well organised. 
  • Assisting with stock taking. 
  • Inform customers of instore promotions and discounts to help drive sales and reach store targets. 
  • Serve ice creams, hot beverages and handheld snacks, keeping the service areas clean and hygienic in accordance with Food Hygiene Regulations throughout opening times.  
  • Complete opening and closing procedures of the café, reporting any issues to your line manager. 
  • Any other reasonable request from your Line Manager or member of the Senior Management Team 
  • Understand and comply with all Health & Safety / Food Regulations/Data Protection within the business. 



Competencies Required 

  • Possess excellent communication skills with a good command of English & numeracy 
  • Basic IT skills 
  • Possess excellent time management and organisation skills 
  • Ability to work within a team and under own initiative 



Qualifications / Experience Required 

  • Previous experience in a retail or customer-based environment would be an advantage however training will be given to the successful candidates.  
  • Above all a friendly personality, confidence, and a will to offer the best service to our customers is utmost. 
  • Level 2 Food Safety qualification – training will be given if you do not have this



General 

  • The role requires a high level of stamina as most days will require you to be on your feet  
  • This role requires a high level fitness and the ability to lift and carry large/heavy boxes 


Working within the Health and Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, the postholder has a legal duty to take reasonable care for Health and Safety both for themselves and others who may be affected by their actions. They are also required to undertake Health and Safety training commensurate with the level required by the post and to take part in risk assessment procedures and the implementation of agreed recommended work practices within the area. 
  
Undertaking other duties not specifically stated which from time to time are necessary without altering the nature or level of responsibility. 
 
In addition to the required key responsibilities, it is expected that every employee acts in a professional manner at all times, including when off duty, as guests and employees use the same facilities, infrastructure and social areas. 



About Herm 

The small paradise island of Herm is just off Guernsey in the Channel Islands, which lie in the English Channel between southern England and northern France. 

Herm is a designated tourist island which is reached by a 20-minute ferry journey from Guernsey harbour, and where guests and day visitors enjoy year-round hospitality. 
 
 Guest accommodation includes:
  • The White House Hotel:
    • 40-bedroomed boutique hotel with several family sized and dog friendly rooms.
  • Self-catering Holiday Cottages: 
    • 19 cottages and apartments dotted around the island sleeping between 2 – 7 people.
  • Seagull & Mermaid Campsites: 
    • offering over 130 seasonal pitches rented on an annual basis by Guernsey families, and 23 equipped tents for short-term hire April to September. 
  • Herm also has a range of dining options and facilities including:
    • The Conservatory Restaurant: a 90-cover classic, fine-dining hotel restaurant.
    • The Ship Inn: a brasserie style inn seating 70 inside, and 80 in the courtyard and garden.
    • The Mermaid Tavern: a popular and busy gastro pub which also hosts live entertainment and events throughout the year with a capacity of 500 people.
    • 120-seater marquee for special events in the hotel grounds. 
  • Harbour Village, Shell Beach and Belvoir Bay Cafés: 
    • three outdoor seated cafés, one in the busy Harbour Village and the other two at the most scenic and popular beaches in Herm.
  • The Herm Shop:
    • a busy shop which stocks a host of products from gifts and clothing to beach goods and toys.
 
Working in Herm
 
Working and living in Herm is a truly unique and rewarding opportunity. There are approximately 50 permanent staff with year-round roles with up to an additional 100 seasonal staff.
 
The hospitality teams are supported by several back-office departments including finance, reservations, administration, marketing, and recruitment. The island properties, infrastructure and landscape are maintained by a team of professionals and the island also has its own cargo vessel managed by the Services team.
 
As there are no cars or bicycles in Herm a good degree of fitness is required to negotiate the varied terrain. With no resident doctor or hospital, shortlisted applicants are advised to self-assess their suitability to work on the island. Several residents are trained as community first responders delivering first aid, policing, and fire services.
 
The rewards are plentiful if you are hard-working and motivated by small team collaboration, helping others, delivering a professional service and above all, taking accountability for your role.
 

Vision & Culture
 
Our VISION is to have a sustainable business whilst preserving the unique appeal of Herm Island, including environmental project work. 

Our CULTURE encourages a hard-working, collaborative, team approach focused on accountability, empowerment and ultimately excellent customer and staff experience.
Benefits

Flat 20% Income Tax rate over personal allowance, plus low Social Security rate
Zero VAT
Competitive board & lodging rates
Free ferry travel between Herm and Guernsey
Staff discounts on-island
Preferential accommodation rates for Friends and Family outside of Peak Season
Stunning beaches with exceptional sea swimming / kayaking / SUP opportunities
On the job training to include Level 2 Food Hygiene certification

Notes

NOTES: to enable us to consider your application please read the below information before completing the NOTES section in your application

EXPERIENCE: If you have no relevant prior experience, please provide additional information in the NOTES section.

ELIGIBILITY - Please confirm what relevant permissions you possess to work in Herm Island, or whether permissions need to be obtained under the States of Guernsey Work Permit Policy – information on Work Permits can be found here (copy and paste into your browser) https://www.gov.gg/immigration

IMPORTANT - When applying please UPLOAD your CV and a cover letter explaining why you wish to apply for the position.

AVAILABILITY - If you are successful, please let us know your preferred start / finish dates?

OTHER - If you are applying as a couple, please state your partner's name.

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