At a Glance
- 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: Dartmouth Castle, Castle Road, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 0JN
Salary: £11.73 per hour / Up to 36 hours per week available April to October including weekends / Fixed Term Contract until 2nd November. *All salaries will increase following the NLW rise on 1st April 2025 to a minimum of £12.21 per hour*
Job type: Permanent
Ref: 15804
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 Dartmouth Castle working 36 hours per week. We would also consider a job share between one 15 hour (2 days) contract and one 22 hour contract (3 days).
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.
As a Dartmouth Castle 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.
The role is advertised for 36 hours (5 days) per week during peak season, including weekends and bank holidays, to reduce to 0 hours during the winter months. We would also consider a job share split between one 15 hour (2 days) contract and one 22 hour contract (3 days).
The role is fixed term until the end of this season, Sunday 2nd November 2025.
Benefits include:
- 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%
If you would like to talk to us before you apply e.g. about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please contact Sophie Castle, Dartmouth Cluster Manager, sophie.castle@english-heritage.org.uk. No agencies please.
Our interview and offer process will take place between 17th February – 10th March 2025, with new starters joining in the week of 24th March 2025.
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.