HASLEMERE EDUCATIONAL MUSEUM
JOB DESCRIPTION – PREMISES OFFICER
General:
A Buildings and Premises Officer is required for wide a variety of tasks and responsibilities relating to the Museum building and grounds, as outlined below under Key Responsibilities.
Days:
30 hours a week (Monday-Friday) with some weekend and evening work. This is a hands-on, busy, varied and responsible role and following probation the successful candidate would be expected to become a keyholder. Must be a driver as there are occasional off-premise trips.
Key Responsibilities:
* Carry out regular inspections of the external building envelope to spot potential problems in plenty of time and agree remedial action with the trustees
* Undertake general repairs and maintenance duties, both routine/scheduled and ad hoc requests, including Museum House
* Maintain and repair the exhibition spaces between hires and as required
* Manage and support volunteers for the premises
* Assist in preparation for events to be held in the Museum grounds, liaising on logistics, security fencing, electricity supply, lighting, signage etc
* Prepare exhibition spaces and assist in setting up exhibitions as directed by curatorial staff and office staff
* Obtain third party quotations for work when required and oversee/monitor work carried out by third party contractors
* Provide IT and technical support for events and room hires
* Sometimes required to transport travelling exhibitions to their next venue or collect exhibition and business materials from other sources.
Routine Responsibilities
* Keep the tool/equipment shed and area organised, tidy and secure.
* Maintain the tools and equipment in working order and seek replacements as required.
* Monitor rubbish and recycling levels and transfer to main exterior bins.
* Hands on manual work such as painting, lifting, carrying, light carpentry, etc., including working at height.
* Maintain the Museum and its environs tidy and free from litter and other debris, especially the frontage and entrance.
* Support the cleaner in their work and undertake supplementary duties as required to ensure that the Museum is kept clean and tidy.
* Set up necessary equipment and furniture for room hire, events or workshops.
* Maintain the equipment and furniture used for the above, in good working order.
* Assist with sourcing and erecting/dismantling gazebos for events.
* To attend meetings of the Buildings and Premises Committee as required.
* To attend staff and any other meetings required as part of work duties.
* To diarise and monitor the expiry dates of utility contracts in liaison with the finance team and negotiate their renewal.
* To undertake any other duties, which may be allocated from time to time, that are commensurate with the post holder's responsibilities but always bearing in mind that the primary function is to ensure that the Museum building and grounds are maintained to a suitable standard to ensure security and protection of the fabric of the building, and that visitors, volunteers and staff are safe.
* To undertake overtime duties outside of normal working hours, agreed in advance, as required by the business needs of the Museum. These duties may include evening work, bank holidays and weekends – time off in lieu is given.
Application:
Covering letter and CV by Friday 24th October 2025 at 5pm. Please send details to: Haslemere Educational Museum, 78 High Street, Haslemere GU27 2LA or email:
Qualifications:
Relevant experience desirable. Clean driving licence required.
Haslemere Educational Museum
The Mission Statement of Haslemere Educational Museum
"To forward and advance the study of Science, Literature and the Fine Arts by means of a well-equipped museum of Natural History and objects of art and of a scientific, literary and historical nature." Sir Jonathan Hutchinson, founder.
Project Objective
To implement our Mission Statement by realising the potential of the Museum's collections, buildings, grounds and amenities in a manner that combines recent changes in technology and contemporary user expectations with the 100 year old tradition of an institution that is part of Haslemere's heritage.
The Foundation of the Museum
Haslemere Educational Museum was founded in 1888 by Sir Jonathan Hutchinson, an eminent surgeon whose practice was based in London. In the 1860s Hutchinson built a country home in Haslemere, where he had the space to indulge his delight in collecting. This passion was based on his deep conviction that an education could be acquired through the study of objects.
His original museum was opened in the grounds of his home until its success led to its establishment at more central site on the south side of town in 1895. It was conceived as a museum for Haslemere, not simply of Haslemere. At its inception it pioneered innovative ideas of museum education and interactivity which were influential at the time and which anticipated many ideas current today.
After his death in 1913, Hutchinson's circle of like-minded friends and scholars were determined to keep his museum going. They convened a new board of trustees that, in 1926, established the Museum on its present site.
Present Overview
Haslemere Educational Museum is an independent museum, a charitable trust and a company limited by guarantee. Throughout its history it has been privately financed, with only limited recourse to public funds. The Museum holds nationally significant collections in natural history and an internationally significant collection of European peasant art, all housed in a cluster of Listed buildings dating from the C17th to the C21st set in extensive, historically important and very attractive grounds.
In 2006 the Museum was awarded Accreditation by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, and updated by Arts Council England in 2013 and 2018.
In 2012 the Museum won two national sector awards: The Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award and the Museums + Heritage Nation's Favourite Museum Award. In 2014 the Museum won the Museums + Heritage Award for Project on a Limited Budget. In 2015 the volunteers of Haslemere Museum were awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. In 2016 we were awarded the Sandford Award for excellence in education. In 2018 the Museum won the Museums + Heritage Award for Fundraising Initiative of the Year. In 2021 we were again awarded the Sandford Award for excellence in education.
The Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. The Museum operates an entry by donation system.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From £12.21 per hour
Expected hours: 30 per week
Benefits:
* Company events
* Company pension
* Free parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Haslemere, GU27 2LA: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
* building maintenance: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
* Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person