At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome visitors, deliver engaging tours, and provide top-notch customer service.
- Company: Join the friendly Museums & Galleries team at Canterbury City Council.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous annual leave, a local government pension, and employee perks.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the cultural heritage sector while having fun!
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and excellent communication skills are a must.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 € 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's also a great role for those looking to start a career in museums or the cultural heritage sector.
Why Join Us?
- Cost of living pay award negotiated annually as a salary increase.
- 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.
- Support and encouragement for your career through 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’s what you’ll 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:
- Understanding of customer service processes relating to the museum and visitor information desk.
- Experience of working in a customer facing role & ability to demonstrate customer service 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. Interviews are expected to take place in the week commencing the 15th of June.
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: Canterbury City Council
Canterbury City Council offers a vibrant and supportive work environment for Visitor Services Officers, where you can engage with diverse collections and contribute to the cultural heritage of the community. With generous annual leave, a local government pension scheme, and excellent training opportunities, this role is perfect for those looking to start a rewarding career in the museum sector. Enjoy additional perks like lifestyle discounts and health support while working in the heart of Canterbury's rich historical landscape.
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 galleries inside out! Familiarise yourself with their collections, history, and any upcoming events. This way, when you chat with visitors, you can share your enthusiasm and knowledge, making their experience even better.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Role-play with friends or family to get comfortable engaging with different types of visitors. The more confident you are in handling enquiries and delivering talks, the more likely you are to impress during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current Visitor Services Officers or other museum staff. They can provide insider tips on what the role really involves and what the interviewers might be looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the position!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and the amazing perks we offer, so you can tailor your approach and stand out from the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Services Officer x 2 in Canterbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Enthusiasm:When writing your application, let your passion for museums and visitor services shine through! We want to see how excited you are about engaging with visitors and sharing the unique collections we have.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any customer service experience you have, especially in a museum or cultural setting. We love seeing how your skills can contribute to creating an excellent visitor experience!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, so we can easily see how you fit into our friendly team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canterbury City Council
✨Know Your Collections
Familiarise yourself with the unique collections at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge and Canterbury Roman Museum. Be ready to discuss specific exhibits, like the Roman mosaic or Bagpuss, and how they can engage visitors. This shows your enthusiasm and knowledge about the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you provided excellent customer service. Think about situations where you went above and beyond for a visitor or resolved a difficult situation. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with diverse audiences.
✨Practice Engaging with Visitors
Since you'll be delivering tours and talks, practice speaking confidently in front of friends or family. Use clear language and maintain eye contact to engage your audience. This will help you feel more comfortable during the interview when discussing your approach to visitor engagement.
✨Understand the Role's Responsibilities
Review the job description thoroughly and be prepared to discuss how you would handle various responsibilities, such as maintaining safety and security or collecting visitor feedback. Showing that you understand the role will impress the interviewers and highlight your readiness to contribute.
