We've put together the following information on types of jobs available and where - these are only general descriptions, and will vary by employer.

Childcare | Chef/Cook | Resort Rep/Manager | Maintenance | Watersports/Activity Instructors
Barge work | Yacht Work

Remember also that there are other jobs available which may not be listed, these are just the main types:

Childcare positions

There are a large number of vacancies in both summer and winter for Nannies and Childrens Representatives. The minimum age requirement for these positions is generally 19, although younger applicants may be considered depending on experience.

Nanny positions will require an NNEB qualification or equivalent. Children's Rep positions will require relevant childcare experience.

Nannies are most likely to be crèche based, caring for children of up to 4 years, usually working as part of a team led by a Resort Nanny.

Children's reps generally work with children of age 4+, and are responsible for the planning and implementation of a fun and varied activity programme.

Childcare positions are generally available in beach resorts, alpine resorts, and on campsites.

Chef/Cook positions

There are a large number of positions available for Chefs and Cooks, in a wide range of environment, including yachts, private villas, barges, chalets, hotels, fishing/shooting lodges, and in activity centres.

Depending on the type of position, Chefs can be catering for anything from 6 in a villa, to 200 in a children's activity centre. Responsibilities will most likely include menu planning, budgeting, stock-control, and may include staff supervision.

Cook positions will typically involve other duties, such as welcoming and hosting guests, as well as the cleaning and upkeep of the chalet/lodge.

For Chef positions, relevant qualifications are required. For Cook positions, experience of cooking for groups will be essential, and any cookery course qualifications will be an advantage.

Resort Rep/Manager positions

A large number of companies employ Reps both summer and winter. Duties will vary depending on the type of program, but the main emphasis of the role will always be on guest care.

In a beach resort, duties will include airport transfers, welcoming guests, providing resort information, and problem solving. Depending on the type of program, excursion sales and the organisation of additional activities may well be a part of the job role.

In a lakes and mountains programme, duties will include welcoming guests, providing information about the local area, booking activities with guide companies, and problem solving. Some roles may require specific experience, i.e. in walking or in bike maintenance.

As part of a ski programme, duties will include airport transfers, selling and organising lift-passes, equipment hire, and lessons, as well as the usual problem solving, providing information, and customer care. Some positions involve ski-hosting, therefore good skiing ability may be required.

As a Campsite Representative, duties will include the cleaning and preparation of accommodation, welcoming guests, provision of local information, problem solving, and often the organisation of additional activities. Practical skills are useful, as you may also be required to carry out basic maintenance tasks.

Minimum age for summer Reps is generally 18/19, although for some companies the minimum age requirement will be 21. Basic requirements are an outgoing and confident nature, as well as a willingness to work long/unsociable hours when required. A customer service background is useful, as well as knowledge of either French, German, Spanish or Italian to a conversational level.

As a Resort/Site Manager in any of these areas, duties will include the supervision of a team of staff, with the overall responsibility for a smooth running operation in resort/on site.
Duties may include organisation of work duties and rotas, reconciliation of accounts, monitoring of staff performance, and dealing with any problematic situations. Where the program involves airport transfers, Resort Managers may also be expected to fulfil the role of airport controller/manager.

Campsite Managers may also be expected to lead montage and demontage teams at the beginning and the end of season (the process of erecting and dismantling tents and equipment).

For a Resort/Campsite Manager position, the basic requirements are Supervisory experience, ideally within the tourism industry, and either fluency or excellent working knowledge of French, German, Spanish or Italian.

Maintenance positions

These positions can be found in Alpine Resorts as well as on campsites and with Villa operators.

The role would typically involve either updating or maintaining winter properties (in an alpine resort), maintaining of villas (in a beach resort), or maintenance of equipment, including tents and mobile homes, on campsites.

Minimum age for the position is 21, and the role requires a clean driving license, and either qualifications or significant experience in plumbing, electrics, vehicle maintenance or carpentry.

Watersports/Activity Instructors

For qualified watersports and/or outdoor activity instructors, there are jobs available in beach resorts, alpine resorts, and on activity camps for school and youth groups. These will usually involve working with children of varying ages, and may involve additional duties such as welcome meetings, and organisation of additional activities.

Minimum age is generally 21 for such a position, and relevant qualifications are required.

Barge positions

For something different, keep an eye open for positions on barges - these positions are live-in, and hours will vary, but will generally be long.

The most likely jobs to be found are for Chefs, Bar staff and Stewards or Stewardesses. Previous experience of working on a barge is not necessary, but relevant Chef/Bar/Waiting experience is a must.

Yacht positions

There is a great deal of competition for yacht work, but if you have good experience, and are service-orientated, then there may be a job for you. Good Chefs especially can earn excellent wages on yachts and anyone with lots of silver service/waiting experience may be suitable for a Steward/Stewardess position.

Again, hours can be long, and living space cramped, but for the right person, yacht work can be extremely rewarding. Wages are generally tax-free.

We hope these guidelines have been useful to you. Before applying for anything, ask yourself carefully whether your skills and experience match those required for the role. Although it is good to give everything a try, there is no point in wasting either your own, or an employer's time.

If you have any further queries about types of work available, you can call us on
08700 463 377.