Working in the Isle of Man Public Service

'The team I work with are made up of talented individuals all trained in different areas'

What made you want to work in the Department of Infrastructure?

I’ve always had an interest in Heritage Railways since a little girl. I’ve grown up going on the steam train and now passed the love onto to my children. Who are super proud of my role.

What three words would you use to describe this job?

Interesting, exciting and engaging.

What does an average day in your role look like?

Ensure the museum and shop are looking fabulous, meeting, greeting and teaching my customers about the history of our Heritage Railway, whilst selling them some lovely souvenirs.

What is the team like that you work in?

The team I work with are made up of talented individuals all trained in different areas of the railway including some fantastic volunteers. This means we all work very closely to provide an all-round service for our customers.

What are your three favourite things about your role?

1. Meeting the customers
2. Learning new things about different railways in the world… many from our customers.
3. Gain retail experience and being a great sales woman!

What do you enjoy most about living and working on the Isle of Man?

The beauty, safety, tranquility and general friendliness of everyone. Topped off with an amazing heritage transport.

'I am always learning and contributing where I can.'

What does an average day in your role look like?

There is no such thing… Within a week I can find myself rolling up my sleeves and cleaning castles or head to toe in protective clothing taming the countryside. Next day I might be putting together an attractive programme of events for the year, heading up to Manx Radio for an interview or delivering training to the 35 plus people who work for Manx National Heritage in the South. 

What are your three favourite things about your role?

I love days when we are delivering events and I am out and about on our beautiful sites welcoming happy visitors and keeping them entertained.

My three favourite things would be:

1. I work with a team of great people.
2. The exposure to a wide range of strategically important issues for the Island. Tourism, heritage, economics, agriculture, retail, biodiversity… the list goes on and I am always learning and contributing where I can.
3. Horses and animals! At Cregneash I work alongside animals on a daily basis

What makes working in your role special?

The places that I get to work. Currently my office is in Castle Rushen and out of my window I can see a fairly close up view of the stone work on the inner keep. It begs you to follow your gaze up to the imposing view of the top. Whilst working from Cregneash however I look over thatched rooftops to animals gazing and rolling hills. The diversity is incredible! 

So, if you could sum up your role in three words, what would they be?

A privilege, diverse and challenging!

'Everyone contributes, offering each other support when needed.'

What three words would you use to describe this job?

1. Exciting
2. Challenging
3. Rewarding

What does an average day in your role look like?

It differs each day, a lot of my time is spent providing a HR service to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC), and so it can be pretty busy in term time. However I could be helping managers and staff from DESC, Department for Enterprise, Manx National Heritage, Treasury or General Registry.

My average day might be out at a school meeting with the Headteacher or staff member, providing training at Santon Professional Centre, testing the new HR system, on an interview panel, attending a briefing about GDPR, discussing the Equality Act with my team, facilitating a meeting under the Fairness at Work Policy, or trying to catch up with my emails either at Illiam Dhone House (OHR office) or Hamilton House (Education office).

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The variety of working with different employment groups, across numerous government departments, and helping trying to find a solution that is in the best interest of the individual and organisation. Building and maintaining effective working relationships across departments, and I particularly enjoy Emotional Intelligence, being able to understand and manage emotions of people.

What is the team like that you work in?

Excellent, we all have different skills that enable us to work well together. Everyone contributes, offering each other support when needed. We may not always be in the same location, but we communicate regularly by phone and email.

How have the development opportunities you have been offered benefited you and your role?

The Executive Coaching qualification will help in my role as HR Adviser by becoming a Coach to Senior Executives across IOM Government. It has already provided me with better listening and questioning skills, and will enable me to have thought provoking conversations and be challenging in a non-judgement way.

How do you feel you have developed whilst being in your current role?

I started out in Government working in the Department of Education as a HR team leader, I moved into the Office of Human Resources in 2011 and was promoted in the same year to HR Adviser. My role has expanded over the years to include other government departments such as Department of Economic Development now Department for Enterprise, Manx National Heritage, General Registry and Treasury. I have developed in becoming a Graduate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and currently working towards a level 7 qualification in Executive Coaching.

'The team I work with are also really supportive and positive, there is a real ‘can do’ attitude.'

What three words would you use to describe your job?

1. Opportunity - Here I have the opportunity to make difference to nurse training, education and the health profession. The opportunities for research are also really good
2. Contribution - You do feel like you’re making a real difference to the life of the people on the Island
3. Exciting - There is lots of variety in the role!

What does an average week in your role look like?

As I mentioned before, there is a real variety of responsibilities within this role! My week can include direct teaching and supporting service partners, to supervising students and looking at any student welfare issues. I may also be researching to prepare for teaching or writing up research projects for peer reviewed publications.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy getting to know the students and their learning styles - with a small number of students, sixty in total across the three years, you really get the chance to build up individual relationships. The team I work with are also really supportive and positive, there is a real ‘can do’ attitude. I enjoy having the chance to collaborate with the team on new developments and initiatives.

What do you enjoy about living and working on the Isle of Man?

Everything! I feel there is the opportunity for a healthy lifestyle - I now enjoy a short commute and the opportunity to go for walks every evening.

In terms of what makes this role special, I enjoy the quality of relationships you can build here, both in terms of support and research networks. The team are very encouraging and forward thinking.

You’ll love this job if…

You’re motivated, keen on development and would enjoy the variation the role brings in terms of having the opportunity to teach and be involved with research and development.

You should work here because…

There is the opportunity for a great quality of life and a good working environment; here there are friendly people and some great opportunities.