Museum Assistant Down County Museum, Downpatrick Temporary (Approx 38 weeks) £14.52 per hour 36 hours per week (Expected to work every other Saturday) Main Purpose To support the day-to-day operation of the museum by ensuring a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for visitors, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and presentation, assisting with events and exhibitions, and providing excellent customer service. The role also supports curatorial, educational, and administrative activities while helping to protect and promote the museum’s collections and services. Main Roles and Responsibilities 1. To undertake all building and safety checks, including maintenance check, fire and intruder alarms, testing of alarms and fire call points, legionella flushing regime, emergency lighting tests and checking of defibrillator and first aid box etc. Completing all relevant paper work and reporting faults to Museum Services Officer for actioning. 2. To ensure the highest level of security and public order in buildings and at events, including the regular surveillance of galleries and external areas, and prompt reporting of incidents, security breaches and faulty displays or equipment. 3. To carry out cleaning and housekeeping duties as per cleaning rota, ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene, in both interior and exterior locations, and to ensure records and paperwork are completed for same. 4. To record enquiries, offers of donations and complaints, referring appropriate documentation to Curatorial staff as required. 5. To assist with the implementation of a pest management programme for the Museum. 6. To guide and monitor contractors as required, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and the security of the collections, reporting issues as required. 7. To carry out reception and shop duties, and handling cash in respect of takings for shop goods, tours, workshops, events, room hire, photographic sales and reproduction. 8. To assist with the Curatorial team with a variety of tasks relating to installing exhibitions, collections research, preparing and painting exhibition spaces, transcribing oral history recordings, administration, family and history queries, assist with basic conservation and cleaning and photography as required, including the safe use and proper storage of materials and equipment. 9. To prepare rooms and external spaces for functions and events, including the setting up of audio-visual equipment and tables and chairs, informing patrons of safety and evacuation procedures, and the safe use and proper storage of equipment after use. 10. To deliver tours of buildings and exhibitions, including costumed tours, living history interpretation, murder mystery events and reminiscence tours. This may involve supporting the Education and Outreach Officer in delivering tours of local sites. 11. To assist the Education and Outreach Officer with the preparation and delivery of a variety of events and educational activities for all ages and abilities, such as seasonal events, birthday parties, workshops, curriculum-based school visits and reminiscence box loans. 12. To assist with general administration, photocopying, mailshots, promotional work, including updating social media sites with approval of relevant staff and the distribution of promotional literature as required. 13. To assist in the maintenance of a safe working environment, creating and following procedures outlined in risk assessments, reviewing risk assessments as required and reporting defects to buildings, fixtures and fittings. 14. To complete COSHH assessments and follow control measures identified, as required. 15. To undertake appropriate training in First Aid, Defibrillator use, manual handling, health and safety, fire safety, customer care, COSHH, disability awareness and other areas as required. 16. To undertake all Fire Warden duties and evacuation procedures as required, including attending training and keeping appropriate records and organising and undertaking 6 monthly fire drills. 18. To monitor CCTV, lifts and automatic doors, heating systems and oil levels, security systems, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment, air conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical systems and equipment, exhibition displays, IT and WIFI to ensure public safety and the efficient running of the museum at all times 19. Assist Curatorial staff with moving museum equipment and where necessary undertake minor repairs. 20. To act as Duty Officer as required by the Designated Line Manager, taking full charge of the Museum, its buildings and contents, the supervison of casual staff and dealing with complaints. Essential Criteria: (Please note that Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd require original certificates as proof of all qualifications listed on CV) Grade C or above in at least 4 GCSEs, one of which must be GCSE English Language or equivalent. A minimum of 6 months’ experience within a public venue or commercial building in the following areas: a) Cleaning duties b) Security duties A minimum of 6 months’ experience within a creative or workshop environment working with children and/or adults. Experience of working in a team environment delivering a high level of customer care Experience of handling cash and keeping associated records in a work context Experience of undertaking and keeping records in a work environment Experience of working in a public venue such as a museum, gallery, heritage, cultural or theatre environment Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and a Corporate Member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd adheres to all current employment legislation. We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date, should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please send your CV as early as possible. Please note only those candidates shortlisted may be contacted. Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK and Ireland. We are unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd regardless if you already have a valid certificate. It will be a cost of between £16 - £32 depending on clearance level.