Job title: Visitor Assistant
Salary: A1/A3 £24,480 - £25,185 pro rata
Hours: 17 hours
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AA
As a Visitor Assistant you'll thrive engaging with a diverse range of people in a warm, informed and friendly way.
Founded in 1888 as a civic art gallery, Leeds Art Gallery has a strong collection of 19th, 20th and 21st century British painting and sculpture. The Gallery welcomes around 250,000 visitors each year and is one of the city's most visited attractions located in the heart of Leeds. We present a dynamic and diverse programme comprising exhibitions, commissions, acquisitions and projects by artists whose work is globally significant and locally relevant. It is a wonderful and unique place to work with 13 galleries displaying the renowned collection and exhibitions over two floors. We are home to the Tiled Hall Café, the Gallery's shop and a busy events programme.
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
As a Visitor Assistant, you will bring to the role:
Good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups at all appropriate levels.
Experience of working in a customer facing role engaging with the public.
Ability to deal with the public in a polite, friendly & helpful manner even in difficult circumstances.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team or alone without regular supervision.
Knowledge of good practice in visitor services.
About The Role
As our next Visitor Assistant you will join a wider team. Your primary responsibility will be to provide a friendly, safe and accessible environment for our diverse range of visitors ensuring that they enjoy their visit learning about the gallery, its exhibitions and collection.
You will actively participate in bringing the gallery to life so you will need to enjoy interacting and engaging with the public. You will be responsible for ensuring that the gallery and its collections are secure, clean and presentable. We require a flexible approach.
In addition, the role involves working in the shop and assisting with events including set up, preparing creative activities and supporting with school visits.
If you enjoy working with the public and are motivated by giving our visitors a great experience, then this job is for you.
Rota pattern (2 week rota):
Week One:
Tuesday 10.00 – 17.15, Wednesday 12.00 – 17.15,
Sunday 10.15 – 15.15
Week Two:
Tuesday 10.00 – 17.15
Saturday 12.00 – 17.15, Sunday 10.15 – 15.15
What We Offer You
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
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. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Simon Groves, Site Development Officer via email
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 LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
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 Description
Job Purpose:
To provide a safe, easily accessible and friendly environment for all users ensuring they enjoy their visit learning about the site, the exhibitions and collection.
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 always present a positive image of the Service 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.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the 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/qualifications:
Knowledge of the requirements of the Health & Safety and Equalities legislation.
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.
Behavioural and other related characteristics:
Willing to abide by the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
Willing to carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under the Council's Health and Safety Policies.
Self-motivated with the ability to use own initiative.
Desire and commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to continue own training.
Demonstrate an interest in the work of Leeds City Council Museums & Galleries.
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:
It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities.
Knowledge/qualifications:
Knowledge of good practice in visitor services.
Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office.
Experience:
Experience of basic object handling and care.
Behavioural And Other Related Characteristics:
Flexible approach to working hours. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
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