Job title: Visitor Assistant
Salary: A1/A3 £24,413 - £25,185, plus enhancements for weekend and bank holiday working
Hours: 37 hrs
Contract: Permanent
Location: Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Walk, Leeds LS5 3EH
As a Visitor Assistant you’ll be passionate about history, have an appreciation for museum collections and be able to deliver excellent customer care.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About You
* Good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
* Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups at all appropriate levels.
* Ability to work effectively as part of a team or alone without regular supervision.
* Experience of maintaining direct contact with customers through day‑to‑day involvement with service delivery and promotion.
* Knowledge of good practice in visitor services.
About The Role
As our next Visitor Assistant you will join a wider team and provide a friendly, safe, and accessible environment for our diverse range of visitors ensuring that they enjoy their visit learning about the sites and collections.
You will actively participate in bringing the museum and abbey to life through its stories so you will need to enjoy interacting and engaging with the public. You will be responsible for ensuring that the museum, abbey and collections are secure, clean, and presentable at all times. We require a flexible approach.
In addition, the role involves shop working and assisting with events and school visits. Experience of working in a retail, hospitality or a learning environment would be useful.
Working Pattern (4 week rota)
Week 1 - Tuesday to Friday (8am - 5.15pm)
Week 2 - Monday, Tuesday, Friday (8am - 5.15pm) and Saturday (9am - 5.30pm) Sunday (9am-5.30pm)
Week 3 - Tues to Friday (8am - 5.15pm)
Week 4 - Wednesday to Friday (8am - 5.15pm), Saturday (9am - 5.30pm), Sunday (9am-5.30pm)
What We Offer You
* A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
* A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
* A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
How To Apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Lesley Kilvington, Site Development Officer. Call 0113 378 4079 or email lesley.kilvington@leeds.gov.uk.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
A DBS check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care‑experienced people.
Right to Work
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Purpose
To provide a safe, easily accessible and friendly environment for all users ensuring they enjoy their visit learning about the site and collections.
Responsibilities
* To be reasonable, polite and courteous with all users, providing information on the service’s sites, collections and activities, interpreting and demonstrating exhibits as necessary.
* To carry out proactive reception and sales duties (including cash handling).
* To be responsible for carrying out security procedures for the site, collections, and shop within agreed guidelines.
* To assist the Learning & Access Officers in the provision of learning activities such as family workshops, school visits and guided tours.
* To ensure the Site is clean, tidy and safe, participating in installing exhibitions, display maintenance as directed by Collections staff and ensuring public information points are appropriately stocked.
* To assist with the preparation and support of conferences, functions and events including evening working.
* To report any changes in the standard environmental conditions (humidity, lighting etc) of public areas to appropriate technical or collections staff.
* To participate in briefing sessions to develop skills and knowledge pertinent to the post.
* To ensure that dress and personal appearance presents the highest standard.
* To present a positive image of the Service at all times and to assist in the promotion of Leeds Museums & Galleries through promotional and learning activities and events.
* To be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health and Safety Policy being responsible for your own health and safety whilst at work and that of your colleagues and our customers.
* Achieve recognised Health & Safety qualification specific to job need. Carry out risk assessment and implement safe systems of work as required.
* To promote and apply consistently the principles of Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policies both with colleagues and members of the public to ensure fair and equal access to services and opportunities.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications
None required.
Essential Requirements
Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.
Skills
* Good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
* Ability to work effectively as part of a team or alone without regular supervision.
* Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups at all appropriate levels.
* Ability to deal with the public in a polite, friendly & helpful manner even in difficult circumstances.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of the requirements of the Health & Safety and Equalities legislation.
* Knowledge of good practice in visitor services.
Experience
* Experience of working in a customer facing role engaging with the public.
* Experience of cash handling and maintaining accurate financial and statistical records.
* Experience of following security procedures.
* Experience of maintaining direct contact with customers through day‑to‑day involvement with service delivery and promotion.
Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics
Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti‑discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable Requirements
Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Knowledge (Desirable)
* Knowledge of good practice in visitor services.
* Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office.
* Demonstrate an interest in the work of Leeds City Council Museums & Galleries.
Experience (Desirable)
* Experience of basic object handling and care.
Behavioural And Other Related Characteristics (Desirable)
Flexible approach to working hours.
Desire and commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to continue own training.
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