Job title: Visitor Assistant – Grade A1/A3
Salary: £24,480 - £25,185 pro rata (plus enhancements)
Hours: 18.5
No of vacancies: 2
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills
As a Visitor Assistant you’ll thrive on providing outstanding customer care to visitors and assisting with the running of an exciting historic venue that was once the largest woollen mill in the world and now represents the industries that make Leeds the city it is.
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:
- Excellent communication skills
- Brilliant customer service for our visitors
- High standards in keeping the museum clean and safe
- An enthusiasm for visitors engaging with museum collections
- An ability to work well within a small team and on your own initiative
About the role
Duties will include telling our story to visitors, dealing with enquiries, shop sales, giving tours, helping in the delivery of family activities, participation in special events, and routine cleaning and grounds maintenance. Our Visitor Assistants are also responsible for implementing security and health and safety procedures at our sites ensuring that we offer a welcoming, safe, and clean facility for visitors at this busy attraction.
As our next Visitor Assistant you’ll enjoy working as part of a team to support the work of the museum in engaging our audiences with the objects and stories that make Leeds the City of a Thousand Trades.
The role is integral to our museum team. Leeds Industrial Museum is one of 8 sites run by Leeds Museums and Galleries, and you will be a vital part of the council’s ability to engage our visitors in museum collections and activities.
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 and weekend enhanced payments
- 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 Chris Sharp, Site Keeper. Call 0113 378 3173 or email armley.mills@leeds.gov.uk
Interview dates are yet to be set but will follow the close of the job advert.
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.
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 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 – n/a
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Method Of Assessment will be through one or more of the following: Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.
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.
- 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 and 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 equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies 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 It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Knowledge/qualifications
- 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
- Experience of basic object handling and care.
- Behavioural And Other Related Characteristics:
- Flexible approach to working hours.
- Desire and commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to continue own training.
