At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome visitors and provide an exceptional experience at our museums.
- Company: Join the friendly Museums & Galleries team at Canterbury City Council.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, local government pension, and employee perks.
- Other info: Flexible part-time hours with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Engage with diverse collections and make a real impact in the community.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and excellent interpersonal skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26513 - 26513 £ per year.
The Museums & Galleries team at Canterbury City Council are looking for 2 x Visitor Services Officers. An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our friendly team of Visitor Services Officers, welcoming all and providing an excellent visitor experience at our two sites in the heart of Canterbury: The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge and Canterbury Roman Museum. This is a chance to enthuse others with diverse collections, contribute to learning experiences, and promote health and well-being in the community. It is also a great role for those looking to start a career in museums or the cultural heritage sector.
Why Join us?
- Starting Salary £26,513.11 (per annum pro rata), £13.78 an hour.
- Cost of living pay award negotiated annually as a salary increase.
- A generous annual leave entitlement: 23 days annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service, plus bank holiday entitlement and 3 given days. Option to buy more annual leave.
- A fantastic local government pension scheme.
- Excellent opportunities for training and development.
- Employee perks, including multiple retailer and lifestyle discounts.
- Free use of Canterbury’s Park and Ride, flexi bus tickets, and a cycle to work scheme.
- Access to free counselling, advice and webinars through our employee assistance programme, as well as contributions to the cost of Flu Jabs.
About this role
Visitor Services Officers are the face of our service, warmly welcoming visitors of all ages and backgrounds, engaging them with our collections and delivering a high-quality customer service that exceeds expectations.
Here is what you will get up to:
- Talking to visitors, helping with enquiries and providing an excellent level of customer care.
- Confidently delivering tours, talks and activities for school groups, families and visitors of all ages.
- Providing both museum and tourist information at our visitor information desk.
- Actively contributing to income generation by selling merchandise and encouraging both admissions and donations.
- Proactively maintaining the safety, security and presentation of our building and collections.
- Engaging with visitors to collect feedback, helping us to constantly improve our offer.
Working pattern
We operate 7 days a week, so you will need to be able to work on site over a two-week shift pattern which includes weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings. These are Part-Time positions with 20 contracted hours per week. This role is based on site at two locations: The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge and Canterbury Roman Museum. Contract type: Permanent.
About you, the ideal Visitor Services Officer
Your knowledge: Understanding of customer service processes relating to the museum and visitor information desk.
Your experience: Experience of working in a customer-facing role & ability to demonstrate customer service skills.
Your skills: Excellent interpersonal skills and confident speaking to members of the public and visitor groups. Numeracy and IT skills. Processing data accurately, having good attention to detail.
The successful applicant will need to undertake and complete an Enhanced DBS check as part of pre-employment clearances before commencement in the post.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at Canterbury City Council. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in everything we do. We provide a safe and welcoming environment where everyone is valued, included and respected. Our diversity strengthens our ability to serve the diverse communities we support through our work. To demonstrate this through our actions, all applications are anonymised for the shortlisting panel, allowing all applicants to be assessed on merit alone.
Visitor Services Officer x 2 in Canterbury employer: Artemis Clarke Ltd
Canterbury City Council offers a vibrant and inclusive work environment for Visitor Services Officers, where you can engage with diverse collections and contribute to the cultural heritage of Canterbury. With competitive pay, generous annual leave, and a strong commitment to employee development, this role provides an excellent opportunity for those looking to grow in the museum sector while enjoying perks like a local government pension scheme and health support initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Visitor Services Officer x 2 in Canterbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the museums and their collections inside out! Familiarise yourself with the exhibits, like that quirky four-legged duckling and the Roman mosaic. This knowledge will help you engage visitors and show your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Role-play with friends or family to get comfortable talking to different types of visitors. The more confident you are in engaging with people, the better your chances of landing the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your enthusiasm! When you apply through our website, make sure your personality shines through. Share why you love museums and how you can contribute to creating a fantastic visitor experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Be flexible with your availability! Since the role requires working weekends and bank holidays, highlight your willingness to adapt your schedule. This shows you're committed and ready to be part of our friendly team.
We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Services Officer x 2 in Canterbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Museums:When writing your application, let us know why you're excited about working in a museum setting. Share any experiences you've had that relate to our collections or visitor engagement – it’ll help us see your enthusiasm!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Visitor Services Officer role. Highlight your customer service experience and any relevant skills that match what we're looking for. This shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
Be Yourself:We want to get to know the real you! Use your application to showcase your personality and how you connect with people. Remember, we’re looking for friendly faces to welcome our visitors, so let that shine through.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Artemis Clarke Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with the museums and their collections, especially unique items like the Roman mosaic and Bagpuss. This will help you engage confidently with visitors and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you provided excellent customer service. Think about how you handled difficult situations or went above and beyond for a visitor—this is key for a Visitor Services Officer.
✨Practice Your Communication
Since you'll be interacting with diverse groups, practice speaking clearly and confidently. You might even want to rehearse delivering a short tour or talk to demonstrate your ability to engage an audience.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Flexibility
Highlight your ability to work as part of a team and your willingness to adapt to different shifts, including weekends and holidays. This shows that you're ready to contribute positively to the team dynamic.
