Vacancies

We currently have two vacancies: one for a cook / chef, the other for a groundsman or groundswoman.

COOK / CHEF

Open all year round, and with the potential for almost guaranteed custom, the South Devon Railway offers good wholesome food ranging from breakfasts, lunches, snacks and sandwiches to cream teas, special functions, Sunday lunches and dining train specials. We can also do wedding receptions, birthdays, parties, anniversaries and corporate events as well as all sorts of special events.

Within extensive recently redeveloped facilities at BUCKFASTLEIGH, DEVON you could even expand our service to Orient Express standards if you have the drive and creativity!

This is an exciting opportunity for a hard working, dedicated, commercially astute Cook to turn the catering operations of this prestigious, award winning tourist attraction into a profitable outlet to support and help fund our Heritage Railway operations from Buckfastleigh to Totnes.

A healthy interest in a steam heritage operation and an understanding of working with volunteers would be helpful, though not essential. Our customers come from all walks of life - locals, tourists, families, children, and professionals etc - all of them hungry for good food from either our extensive Refreshment Rooms, or on train catering and kiosk outlets, or special event facilities.

Working with a good front of house team and experienced kitchen staff, including some volunteers, you will focus on creating attractive cost effective menus, food preparation and cooking, and running a busy kitchen but also have the ability to run the tills if required. The effective implementation of Food and Hygiene Regulations, kitchen management, and getting the best deals on provisions will be second nature to you, as will making sure customers get good food and fast service in a welcoming environment.

If you want to develop and progress your kitchen craft & cooking skills and you are used to working in a busy tourist, restaurant or pub/hotel environment where you will turn your hand to whatever job needs doing and can budget and price food to make a profit, then return the application form with your CV now, along with a covering letter stating why you are the person for the job, to: DickWood@southdevonrailway.co.uk.

Benefits include competitive salary and holidays, annualised hours, and free travel on the SDR! Success in this role will lead to a profit related bonus scheme.

Applications are also welcome for Casual Waiting, Counter, and Kitchen Porter staff.

Download our application form.

 

GROUNDSMAN or  GROUNDSWOMAN, Buckfastleigh Railway Station

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic grounds maintenance and gardening specialist to become part of a major site redevelopment. Plans are being made for an extensive site redevelopment, during which the maintenance of safe and attractive grounds will be important to make sure the public still experience a pleasant and enjoyable visit.

The Buckfastleigh Station site includes everything from the entrance and driveway, to the riverside area. Whilst the safety of the public is paramount, we aim to establish grounds that are in keeping with a Great Western station, whilst at the same time providing an extended visitor experience with riverside and site walks, picnic areas, and safe and attractive parking areas.

The groundsman or groundswoman works closely along side the PW (permanent way) manager, as well as the volunteer Buckfastleigh Station site group, who provide extensive support and free labour. You will also assist the PW team, when required, due to the need to ensure the railway operates safely, or when site maintenance is not practical.

Your role will be varied, from maintenance of grounds including paths and roadways, including grass cutting, planting and weeding and weed spraying etc to maintenance of fences and lineside, maintenance of the permanent way including platform areas, and hanging baskets etc in liaison with the Station Group.  You will also play a key role in new construction of pathways and other landscape features, and their subsequent maintenance, as well as general handyman and construction tasks.

This is a full time role, and will involve some weekend work, for which time off in lieu will be given. Package will be commensurate with experience, and includes free travel on the SDR!

Interested and suitably qualified/experienced applicants are asked to complete and return an Application Form and send it, along with a letter of interest explaining what they can bring to the role of groundsman or groundswoman of a Great Western country station!

Download our application form.

 

We always have vacancies for volunteers.