Visitor Services Assistant

Overview

An exciting opportunity to join our Visitor Services team at a vibrant visitor attraction and arts venue in central Edinburgh. In the role you will provide an excellent standard of customer service as the first point of contact for all visitors to the Scottish Storytelling Centre. You will work with colleagues and partners to provide a warm welcome and high standard of customer care to all visitors to John Knox House and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

As well as having the ability to provide a high standard of customer service, you must also be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills will have the ability to manage a variety of tasks under pressure.

You will work 35 hours per week on a flexible rota which will include evenings and weekends. This is a fixed term role until 31 March 2025.

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a partnership between The Church of Scotland and TRACS – Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland. The SSC is a vibrant arts venue with a seasonal programme of live storytelling, theatre, music, exhibitions, workshops, family events, and festivals.

Role description

As a Visitor Services Assistant, you will be the welcoming face and guiding hand for all visitors to the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Your role is pivotal in ensuring an exceptional customer experience, from providing information about our centre and events to assisting with administrative tasks and ensuring the smooth operation of our facilities.

Main Duties

Customer service

• Welcome customers and provide information about the Scottish Storytelling Centre to visitors at reception including those arriving for events and shows
• Sell admission to John Knox House and maintain a high level of knowledge about the house and its history
• Provide Box Office services using VIA by red61
• Advise visitors about the Centre’s programmes and events
• Deal with general enquiries by phone and email
• Provide Front of House cover for events as needed

Administrative and Marketing Support

• Assist with the creation and design of promotional materials using platforms like Canva
• Coordinate printing of promotional materials and ensure timely distribution
• Assist with online events listings and maintain accuracy.
• Create and update publicity displays to showcase our offerings
• Perform general administrative tasks such as word processing, proofreading, and mailings

Retail

• Operate till and cash management, including banking
• Receive stock and maintain accurate records
• Clean, update and maintain retail displays Care of the Public
• Be familiar with and implement all fire safety and evacuation procedures
• Monitor public facilities on a daily basis
• Undertake first aid training and provide first aid services if needed

Care of the Building

• Implement security procedures at times of opening and closing and monitor the building via security cameras throughout the day
• Exercise a duty of care towards the historic fabric of the John Knox House
• Work in line with the Centre’s environmental policy and take direction from the staff guidelines

The post is based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh and weekend and evening work form a necessary part of the working week.
The post holder may be required to perform duties, appropriate to the level of the post, other than those given in this job profile.

Person Specification

As well as having the ability to provide a high standard of customer service at all times, the successful candidate will also have:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage a variety of tasks under pressure
• The ability to work competently with minimum supervision using own initiative
• Competence with Microsoft packages (or equivalent)
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Self-motivated and capable of using own initiative

It is also desirable, however not essential that the candidate will have:

• Knowledge of the Storytelling Centre’s work and wider traditional arts activity
• Box Office/Reception experience
• Interest in the arts and knowledge of the theatre and festival landscape in Edinburgh
• Cash handling experience

Applications will be assessed in respect of the above criteria

How to Apply

Applications should be sent by email to recruitment@churchofscotland.org.uk and must be received by 12 noon on the closing date.

Applications should comprise:

• A personal statement, outlining how your skills, experiences and personal qualities match the requirements of the role outlined in the job description. Please provide reference contact details for your last two periods of employment (this would normally be your direct line manager/supervisor). If you have had more than two employers in the last three years, please provide referee contact details for that period. References will not be contacted until later in the process.
• A full CV, including educational and professional qualifications alongside a full employment history showing positions held, responsibilities and relevant achievements.
• A personal information form, to be downloaded and attached.
• Applications without a CV, personal statement and personal information form will not be taken forward in the process.Each document should be a maximum of two sides of A4. For more information on any of our roles, please contact recruitment@churchofscotland.org.uk

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £24,780.00-£27,300.00 per year

Schedule:

• Weekend availability

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 29/04/2024
Expected start date: 01/07/2024