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- Tasks: Engage visitors at Dartmouth Castle, ensuring a memorable experience through excellent customer service.
- Company: Join a charity dedicated to preserving historic sites across England.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, career progression, free site access, and discounts in shops and cafes.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team, making history accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
- Qualifications: No specific background needed; just bring your passion for people and customer service.
- Other info: Fixed term until November 2025, with options for job sharing available.
Title Visitor Assistant Location Birdoswald Roman Fort, Gilsland, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 7DD Salary £12.39 per hour / 8-16 hours per week April to October, 0 hours November to March / Permanent *All salaries will increase following the NLW rise on 1st April 2026 to a minimum of £12.71 per hour* Job type Permanent Ref 16323
Would you like to work for the charity that cares for hundreds of historic sites in every corner of England? We are looking for a Visitor Assistant to join us at Birdoswald Roman Fort working 8 to 16 hours per week.
No history background? No problem. What is important to us is a passion for people and excellent customer service. You will enjoy working with others as part of a team and understand what makes excellent customer service to deliver an engaging visitor experience to a diverse audience.
Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage.
Heritage lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions. It can connect us all to the past, and to each other. It can make us happier, strengthen every community, and help shape society for the better. Everybody should be able to enjoy the benefits it brings. That\’s why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it\’s why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.
Set on a spectacular ridge above the River Irthing, Birdoswald is among the most important Hadrian\’s Wall forts and was one of 16 major bases along the wall. Spanning the Romans, 16th‑century border raiders and Victorian romantics, Birdoswald\’s layered history has made it an archaeologist\’s paradise.
By joining us as a Birdoswald Roman Fort Visitor Assistant, you will be part of an amazing team of employees and volunteers, ensuring visitors have a great time from the moment they arrive until they say goodbye. Through your recommendations, you will help personalise their visit – this could include talking about the benefits of English Heritage membership or recommending things to see and do on site. You will also contribute to making sure your site is accessible, safe and well presented at all times.
It is a varied role – some days will be busy from start to finish and others quieter, especially on the wetter days! Some paid or voluntary experience with the public is beneficial but full training and support is provided as part of your induction. You will be required to work weekends and Bank Holidays, more information will be provided at interview.
Benefits
- The opportunity for career progression within the heritage sector in retail, food and beverage or general management
- Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events
- Free access to all English Heritage sites for you, and up to 6 friends and / or family members
- 25% discount in our shops and cafes
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave
- 25 days\’ holiday plus Bank Holidays pro rata rising to 28 days after 3 years
- Options to buy additional leave
- Matched pension contributions up to a maximum of 10%
To find out more about us and what we do, please register via one of the links below join us at one of our webinars.
Upcoming Webinars
- Friday 23rd January 2026 11.30am-12.30pm: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3ac4acf3-1db2-40d8-a81b-5c178615e5e6@30116e44-4d79-44c0-a8c1-ebc0707da3c9
- Wednesday 4th February 2026 6-7pm: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/ea661ca0-f117-46dd-8c83-af63e055008a@30116e44-4d79-44c0-a8c1-ebc0707da3c9
You can also find out more about us here: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/ and meet some of our people and hear about why they enjoy working with us: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/our-people/careers-with-us/
Everybody\’s welcome at English Heritage
Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England\’s heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We\’re looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we\’re committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work. You can connect with others through our EDI networks as a member or ally. These include Ethnic Diversity, Faith & Belief, Social Equity, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Age, Disability and Gender Health and Wellbeing.
We take wellbeing seriously. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe at work and can carry out their role. To support this, we have a network of Mental Health First aiders, regular information and awareness events, unlimited access to an Employee Assistance Programme and work with our people to implement reasonable adjustments.
If you would like to talk to us before you apply e.g. about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please contact Bethany Harvey, Birdoswald Roman Fort Site Manager, on bethany.harvey@english-heritage.org.uk. No agencies please.
You will need to refer to the following documents when completing your application.
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Contact Detail:
English Heritage Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Visitor Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Dartmouth Castle and its history. Understanding the site will help you engage with visitors and provide them with a memorable experience, showcasing your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your customer service skills. Since the role focuses heavily on providing excellent service, think of examples from your past experiences where you went above and beyond for customers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your teamwork abilities. This position requires working closely with others, so think of instances where you've successfully collaborated in a team setting.
✨Tip Number 4
Show enthusiasm for the role during your interactions. Whether it's in an informal chat or during the interview, expressing genuine excitement about working at Dartmouth Castle can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and skills required for the Visitor Assistant position. Highlight your passion for customer service and teamwork in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects relevant experience, even if it's not directly related to history. Emphasise any customer service roles or teamwork experiences that demonstrate your ability to engage with visitors.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Mention why you want to work at Dartmouth Castle and how you can contribute to providing an excellent visitor experience.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, double-check your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which are important in customer-facing roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at English Heritage
✨Show Your Passion for Customer Service
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for providing excellent customer service during the interview. Share examples from past experiences where you went above and beyond to help customers, as this role heavily relies on engaging with visitors.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Dartmouth Castle
Before the interview, take some time to learn about Dartmouth Castle and its history. Being knowledgeable about the site will not only impress the interviewers but also show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since this position involves working closely with a team, be prepared to discuss your experiences in collaborative environments. Highlight how you contribute to a positive team dynamic and support your colleagues, especially in busy situations.
✨Prepare for Questions on Flexibility
Given that the role requires working weekends and bank holidays, be ready to discuss your availability and flexibility. Show that you understand the demands of the job and are willing to adapt your schedule to meet the needs of the team.
