At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome visitors, assist with enquiries, and ensure a great museum experience.
- Company: Join BCP Council, a forward-thinking organisation committed to inclusivity.
- Benefits: Earn £14.35 per hour with opportunities for career progression and enhanced benefits.
- Other info: Flexible casual role with opportunities for evening and weekend shifts.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team and help preserve cultural heritage while engaging with the public.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and a passion for arts and culture are essential.
The predicted salary is between 14.35 - 14.35 £ per hour.
Starting salary for this role is £14.35 per hour. This role sits within a well-defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception, all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation.
Role Purpose: The Museum Assistant welcomes visitors to the Russell-Cotes as part of the Front of House team. You will provide direct visitor services and assist with the day-to-day running of the Museum on a casual basis. The role operates the welcome desk during opening hours and assists in cleaning the museum ready for the public.
Main Responsibilities:
- Provide a warm welcome to all our visitors at the welcome desk assisting with enquiries and helping to ensure the visitor experience meets expectations.
- Sell entrance tickets and record visitor statistics, through the till, whilst providing orientation information at the welcome desk.
- Undertake cleaning in the historic house and wider museum areas to the museum standard.
- Process advance bookings by email and phone and undertake reception duties, directing phone calls and messages.
- Undertake retail duties at the welcome desk, making sales, up-selling, re-stocking and cashing up at the end of the day.
- Help generate income for the charity through actively seeking gift-aided donations and participating in fundraising initiatives.
- Assist the Visitor Services Assistant with museum security through monitoring CCTV, patrolling and by following museum security protocols to ensure the security of the building.
- Help conserve the historic house and collections through good conservation practices including encouraging visitors to leave large bags and wet coats at reception.
- Assist visitors with special access requirements and to welcome all our diverse visitors.
- Be aware of the Health and Safety issues and assist with fire evacuation.
- Assist with the handling and porterage of all deliveries to the museum and to assist with porterage of museum collections as directed.
- Help provide sickness, emergency or absence cover for the roster, particularly weekends, and be available to carry out evening duties for functions and events held at the museum on a pre-arranged basis.
The Ideal Candidate:
- Proven experience of working directly with the public, with excellent customer care and communication skills.
- Knowledge of Health and Safety practices at Work.
- Ability to work alone yet be a positive team player within the Front of House team.
- Cash handling skills.
- Ability to carry out simple administrative duties, including basic computer skills and retail duties.
- Ability to carry out regular cleaning duties to a high standard and work with fragile objects, to climb stairs, to be on one's feet for long periods of time and to lift heavy items.
- Experience working in a museum or heritage environment.
Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise - it's how we work. We're committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.
If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly - we're here to help.
Casual Museum Assistant employer: Bournemouth Borough Council
At BCP Council, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every employee can thrive. As a Casual Museum Assistant at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, you will enjoy competitive pay, clear career progression, and the opportunity to engage with a diverse community while contributing to the preservation of our cultural heritage. Our commitment to employee growth and well-being, combined with our stunning coastal location, makes BCP a truly rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Bournemouth Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Casual Museum Assistant
✨Connect with the Community
Get involved in customer support communities online! Platforms like Reddit and specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for sharing opportunities and tips. You can find out about part-time roles that might not even be advertised yet — it's all about who you know!
✨Attend Local Job Fairs
Job fairs are perfect for snagging part-time gigs! Keep an eye out for local hiring events and career expos in your area. It’s a brilliant chance to meet representatives from companies like Bournemouth Borough Council and show off your personality in person.
✨Boost Your Visibility
Showcase your skills in online customer support forums or by offering help on platforms like Zendesk Community. A strong online presence can catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers looking for genuinely passionate candidates.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don’t forget, applying through our website is one of the best ways to catch our attention. Tailor your application for the part-time customer support role at Bournemouth Borough Council and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Casual Museum Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, communication is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your ability to clearly convey information and resolve issues. Use examples that illustrate how you've helped customers or colleagues in the past.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:Employers want to see how you tackle challenges. Include specific instances where you resolved a tough issue for a customer or improved a process. Real life scenarios are a great way to showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
Tailor Your Application to Part-Time Work:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Highlight how you can balance work with your other commitments. It shows you're organised and committed to making the role work for both you and Bournemouth Borough Council.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about Bournemouth Borough Council and our approach to customer support. Mention in your cover letter why you're excited about supporting our customers specifically. It’ll show your enthusiasm and that you've done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bournemouth Borough Council
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. During the interview, make sure to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to explain solutions simply. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved customer issues successfully.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like ticketing systems (think Zendesk or Freshdesk) and chat software. If you’ve used any of these in previous roles or during your studies, be ready to chat about your experiences. Showing you can hit the ground running with these tools will impress Bournemouth Borough Council.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time role, emphasise your ability to adapt to different shifts and your willingness to handle varying customer volumes. Share any experiences where you thrived in a fast-paced environment or juggled multiple tasks, which can highlight your time management skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Interviewers often love scenario-based questions in customer support roles. Be ready to tackle common customer situations, like how you'd handle an unhappy customer. Practising responses to these scenarios will showcase your problem-solving ability and customer service mindset, which Bournemouth Borough Council will surely appreciate.