Job title: Visitor Assistant
Salary: £23,656.00 - £24,404.00 (pro rata)
Hours: 20 hours
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds City Museum
As a Visitor Assistant you’ll thrive on engaging with a diverse range of people in a warm, informed and friendly way. We are looking for a part time Visitor Assistant to join the team at Leeds City Museum, an award-winning family friendly museum in the heart of Leeds. The Museum welcomes around 300,000 visitors each year and is a fantastic and unique place to work. Covering 4 floors across 6 galleries, visitors can get close to amazing animals, uncover buried archaeological treasures and discover the incredible story of Leeds history.
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:
- Experience of working in a customer facing role- engaging with the public.
- 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.
About the role
Your primary responsibility will be to provide a friendly, safe and accessible environment for our diverse range of visitors, and be able to deliver excellent customer care.
You will actively participate in bringing the museum to life through its stories so you will need to enjoy interacting and engaging with the general public. You will be responsible for ensuring that the museum and collections are secure, and in addition the role involves shop working and assisting with events including set up, preparing craft 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:
Week One: Tuesday 10.45 - 17.30, Friday 8.00-17.00, Saturday 10.30 - 17.00
Week Two: Friday 9.45 - 17.00, Saturday 9.00 - 17.00, Sunday 10.00 - 17.00
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 Matthew Storey or Joseph McGivern for more information at city.museum@leeds.gov.uk
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
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. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
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.
- To undertake any other duties as commensurate with the grade.
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.
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 theBest 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 ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
- 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.
- 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: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
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.
