Job title: Visitor Assistant – Temple Newsam
Salary: £23,151.48 (Pro rata) Plus enhancements for working weekends and bank holidays
Post 1 Hours: 18hrs - 37wks (Tue - 7.5; Fri – 7.5; Sat – 4.5) and 15wks (Wed – 7.25; Fri – 7)
Post 2 Hours: 15hrs - 37wks (Fri 7.5; Sat 7.5)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Temple Newsam House, Leeds, LS15 0AE
As a Visitor Assistant you’ll be passionate about history, have an appreciation for museum collections and be able to deliver excellent customer care.
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:
1. Good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
2. Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups at all appropriate levels.
3. Ability to work effectively as part of a team or alone without regular supervision.
4. Experience of maintaining direct contact with customers through day-to-day involvement with service delivery and promotion.
5. Knowledge of good practice in visitor services.
About the role
Your primary responsibility will be to provide a friendly, safe, and accessible environment for our diverse range of visitors ensuring that they enjoy their visit learning about the site and collections.
You will actively participate in bringing the House to life through its stories so you will need to enjoy interacting and engaging with the public. You be responsible for ensuring that the house and collections are secure, clean, and presentable at all times. We require a flexible approach.
In addition, the role involves shop working and assisting with events and school visits. Experience of working in a retail, hospitality or learning environment would be useful.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
6. a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
7. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
8. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
9. 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 Josh Turner, Site Development Officer. Call 0113 3367712 or email
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. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. 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.
Leeds City Council Job Profile
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:
10. 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.
11. To carry out proactive reception and sales duties (including cash handling).
12. To be responsible for carrying out security procedures for the site, collections, and shop within agreed guidelines.
13. To assist the Learning & Access Officers in the provision of learning activities such as family workshops, school visits and guided tours.
14. 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.
15. To assist with the preparation and support of conferences, functions and events including evening working.
16. To report any changes in the standard environmental conditions (humidity, lighting etc) of public areas to appropriate technical or collections staff.
17. To participate in briefing sessions to develop skills and knowledge pertinent to the post.
18. To ensure that dress and personal appearance presents the highest standard.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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 None
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.
22. Good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
23. Ability to work effectively as part of a team or alone without regular supervision.
24. Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups at all appropriate levels.
25. Ability to deal with the public in a polite, friendly & helpful manner even in difficult circumstances.
26. Knowledge of the requirements of the Health & Safety and Equalities legislation.
27. Knowledge of good practice in visitor services.
28. Experience of working in a customer facing role- engaging with the public.
29. Experience of cash handling and maintaining accurate financial and statistical records.
30. Experience of following security procedures.
31. Experience of maintaining direct contact with customers through day-to-day involvement with service delivery and promotion.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
32. Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
33. Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
34. Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
35. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
36. Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
37. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
38. Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
39. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
40. 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.
41. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
42. 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. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
43. Knowledge of good practice in visitor services.
44. Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office.
45. Demonstrate an interest in the work of Leeds City Council Museums & Galleries.
46. Experience of basic object handling and care.
47. Flexible approach to working hours.
48. Desire and commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to continue own training.
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