Visitor Services Assistant

Visitor Services Assistant

Part-Time 17700 - 26400 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Deliver exceptional visitor experiences and provide friendly customer service.
  • Company: Join Forestry England, dedicated to preserving nature and enhancing community engagement.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension contributions, discounts, and free entry to national arboretums.
  • Why this job: Be part of a supportive team while making lasting memories for visitors in a beautiful setting.
  • Qualifications: GCSE in Maths and English; customer service experience preferred.
  • Other info: Part-time role with opportunities for career development and training.

The predicted salary is between 17700 - 26400 £ per year.

You will contribute to achieving an exceptional visitor experience, providing outstanding service so they leave with lasting memories. You will provide visitor information, respond to enquiries with enthusiasm and expertise, making sure we meet the needs of every customer where possible. You will help keep our visitor facilities clean, safe and accessible. You will help cultivate a supportive and positive work environment that encourages teamwork, productivity and individual growth. You will take opportunities to promote Forestry England’s work including events, membership, legacy giving and volunteering.

As part of our visitor welcome team you will operate our visitor welcome area, handling credit card sales, and proactively selling Forestry England memberships. You will give information and deal with enquiries from customers inclusively, positively and friendly. You will maintain clean and welcoming public areas for our visitors to enjoy. You will collect and input visitor and utilities data with accuracy. You will be willing to support in first aid when needed, contributing to safe and effective visitor support services. You will work within High Lodge Information Point, maintaining leaflet stocks, first aid stocks, all retail sales and delivering good customer service. You will work closely with staff and volunteers, ensuring a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. You will follow Forestry England’s policies and procedures being consistent and efficient. You will maintain strong communication with on-site partners, such as the Cafe, so we have a seamless and cohesive visitor experience. You will manage the daily operation of the parking system, addressing any issues quickly to ensure a hassle-free experience for visitors. You will undertake any other tasks reasonably requested by your line manager.

Person specification

  • Experience in delivering excellent customer service both in-person and using a variety of digital platforms.
  • Experience in securely managing data.
  • Willingness to carry out both manual tasks (such as toilet cleaning) and administrative tasks.
  • Proven ability to work as part of a team.
  • Competent IT user with experience in MS Office suite of applications.

Desirable Professional And Technical Experience

  • Experience of operating electronic admissions or retail till systems.
  • A working knowledge of risk assessments and safe working in an outdoor setting.
  • Experience of working at a visitor attraction in the heritage and/or environment sector.

Essential Qualifications

  • A GCSE in Maths and English or functional skills equivalent subject.

Behaviours

  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Working Together
  • Changing and Improving

Alongside your salary of £23,732, Forestry Commission contributes £6,875 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Benefits include:

  • 25 days holiday a year, raising by one day every year’s service, up to 30 days (pro-rated for part-time employees) plus additional days off such as bank holidays.
  • STaR is our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays, clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.
  • Free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
  • A commitment to lifelong learning through career development.

Selection process details: This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. You will be asked to write a 200-word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words. You will be assessed on both during sifting. More details about how to apply are listed on the application form. Successful candidates will undergo an enhanced criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.

Visitor Services Assistant employer: Forestry Commission

Forestry England is an exceptional employer that prioritises a supportive and collaborative work environment, perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in visitor services. Located in the beautiful High Lodge, Thetford Forest, employees enjoy generous benefits including a robust pension scheme, 25 days of annual leave that increases with service, and opportunities for professional development. With a commitment to teamwork and individual growth, Forestry England fosters a culture where every team member can thrive while contributing to memorable visitor experiences.
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Contact Detail:

Forestry Commission Recruiting Team

fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Visitor Services Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Forestry England's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to providing exceptional visitor experiences will help you align your responses during the interview, showcasing your enthusiasm for their work.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare examples of your previous customer service experiences. Think about specific situations where you went above and beyond to assist a customer, as this will demonstrate your ability to deliver outstanding service in line with the role's requirements.

✨Tip Number 3

Brush up on your teamwork skills. Since the role involves working closely with staff and volunteers, be ready to discuss how you've successfully collaborated in past roles, highlighting your ability to contribute to a positive work environment.

✨Tip Number 4

Show your willingness to learn and adapt. Be prepared to discuss how you handle changes or challenges in a work setting, as this aligns with the behaviours they are assessing, such as 'Changing and Improving'.

We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Services Assistant

Excellent Customer Service Skills
Strong Communication Skills
Data Management Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
Attention to Detail
Proficiency in MS Office Suite
Ability to Handle Cash and Credit Card Transactions
First Aid Certification
Problem-Solving Skills
Knowledge of Visitor Attraction Operations
Ability to Maintain Clean and Safe Environments
Positive Attitude and Enthusiasm
Adaptability to Changing Situations
Experience with Digital Platforms

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Personal Statement: Make sure your personal statement of no more than 500 words highlights your relevant experience in customer service, teamwork, and any specific skills that align with the role of Visitor Services Assistant. Use examples to demonstrate how you've contributed to a positive visitor experience in previous roles.

Craft a Compelling Experience Statement: In your 200-word statement, focus on your career history and relevant experiences. Emphasise your ability to manage data securely, provide excellent customer service, and work collaboratively with teams. Be concise but impactful, showcasing your enthusiasm for the role.

Highlight Relevant Skills: When detailing your skills, mention your competence with IT systems, particularly MS Office, and any experience with electronic admissions or retail till systems. This will show that you are well-prepared for the technical aspects of the job.

Demonstrate Understanding of the Role: Show that you understand the responsibilities of the Visitor Services Assistant by referencing specific tasks from the job description, such as maintaining clean public areas, handling enquiries, and promoting Forestry England’s work. This will indicate that you have thoroughly read the job posting and are genuinely interested in the position.

How to prepare for a job interview at Forestry Commission

✨Show Enthusiasm for Visitor Experience

Make sure to express your passion for providing an exceptional visitor experience. Share examples of how you've gone above and beyond in previous roles to create lasting memories for customers.

✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills

Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with others. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you contributed to a positive team environment, as this role emphasises teamwork and support.

✨Prepare for Strength-Based Questions

Since the interview will assess your strengths, think about your key skills and how they align with the job requirements. Prepare to discuss how you manage quality service and adapt to changing situations.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Forestry England

Research Forestry England's mission, values, and recent initiatives. Being knowledgeable about the organisation will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the role.

Visitor Services Assistant
Forestry Commission
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