Visitor Assistant - Req24951

Job title: Visitor Assistant Post - Leeds Museums and Galleries

Location: Abbey House Museum

Hours Post 1: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8.15am-5.15pm. 24 hours per week

Hours Post 2: Saturday 12-5.30pm and Sunday 9.30am-5.30pm. 13 hours weekend post.

Kirkstall Abbey and the Abbey House Museum welcomes over 300,000 visitors a year. At the frontline of operations, it’s our Visitor Assistants that make sure everyone who visits has a day to remember and keeps on coming back. 

About you

As a Visitor Assistant, you will bring to the role:

• You will be confident in delivering excellent customer care to our visitors.
• Be capable of working as part of a team or of your own initiative.
• Have an interest in the work of museums and galleries.
• Be flexible in your work hours with some late nights and bank holidays work.

About the role

You will learn all elements of the Visitor Assistant role from providing exceptional customer care to visitors of all ages and backgrounds, knowledge and care of our collections, shop sales, assisting in the provision of learning activities, to security procedures and health and safety. 

You’ll be a team player but able to work independently and use your initiative to provide the best possible service to all who visit us. If you are passionate about delivering excellent customer care this could be the ideal role for you.

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

Apply for this job online. Please *complete the online application form/*upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

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. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• 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 of the requirements of the Health & Safety and Equalities legislation.
• 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.
• Demonstrate an interest in the work of Leeds City Council Museums & Galleries.

Essential Behavioural & 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.
• 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 of good practice in visitor services.
• Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office.
• Experience of basic object handling and care.
• Behavioural And Other Related Characteristics:
• Flexible approach to working hours.