At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Visitor Services team, delivering top-notch support and engaging with visitors.
- Company: Be part of the Scottish Parliament, a hub for national debate and legislation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 41.5 leave days, gym access, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public engagement while working in a vibrant, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and excellent communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Open to secondments; we value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 71716 - 86174 £ per year.
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location_on Location *Scottish Parliament (Edinburgh)
credit_card Salary Pay scale – £19,589 – £21,176(for part time plus 6% uplift for Saturday working)All new starts will be appointed to the first scale point of the grade for their role.FTE £31,514 – £34,066
location_on Location *Scottish Parliament (Edinburgh)
credit_card Salary Pay Scale: £71,716 – £86,174Salary on appointment: £71,716All new starts will be appointed to the first scale point of the grade for their role.
location_on Location *Scottish Parliament (Edinburgh)
credit_card Salary Pay Scale: £35,769 – £43,264Salary on appointment: £35,769
location_on Location Perthshire South and Kinross-shire
credit_card Salary £38,000 – £44,000 (depending on skills and experience)
work_outline Basis Full Time
Job profile for Visitor Services Officer
Visitor Services Officer
location_on *Scottish Parliament (Edinburgh) 21/07/2025 Visitor Services Officer Apply online
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
Salary Pay scale – £19,589 – £21,176(for part time plus 6% uplift for Saturday working)All new starts will be appointed to the first scale point of the grade for their role.FTE £31,514 – £34,066 Contractual hours 23 Basis Part Time Package Holidays: 41.5 leave days (including public holidays) pro-ratedCivil Service pensionFlexible workingFamily-friendly policiesSeason Ticket advance loansOnsite gymHealth and Wellbeing SchemesCycle to WorkEmployee Assistance Programme Job category/type Public Engagement Date posted 04/07/2025 Job reference REQ000213 Attachments attachment 20250703-JobdescriptionVSO.pdf attachment 20250704-applicationpack.pdf
Job description
Fixed Term Appointment until 31 August 2026 (4 days per week), Visitor Services Officer, Visitor Services, Grade 2
About the role
Working pattern: These are part-time posts, working 23 hours per week over 4 days. These are fixed days.
Monday: 10:00 – 15:30
Thursday: 10:00 – 15:30
Friday: 10:00 – 15:30
Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00 (with a 30-minute lunch)
There may be seasonal adjustments to working patterns, including extended opening hours during summer months and to support major events.
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is responsible for providing the Parliament with the property, staff and services required for the Parliament’s purposes. We place high value on excellence, and we are continually looking to improve how we work to ensure that we can deliver the Parliament\’s core purpose of representing the people of Scotland by debating issues of national importance, passing legislation, and holding the Scottish Government to account.
This is an excellent opportunity to join the Visitor Services (VS) team as a Visitor Services Officer. These may be extended, or become permanent, subject to the outcome of a review of our service. This appointment is also open to people looking to apply on a secondment basis.
VS is made up of approximately 18 staff with a variety of work patterns and is one of the main public-facing teams in the Scottish Parliament. The Office sits within our Directorate of People, Communications, and Inclusion.
The team provides a range of services for the Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), their guests and other visitors to the Parliament and they’re currently developing new services online. VS provides innovative and popular services and facilities to a world-class level and quality which support the Parliament’s public engagement strategy and activities.
Key activities include general office administration; organising and booking of tickets for Parliamentary business sessions, tours and events using digital booking systems; staffing the Visitor Information Desk; general visitor management and reception; providing support for major and regular events and delivering the guided tours and talks programme. The Parliament Shop is also part of Visitor Services operations and therefore sales, cash-handling and stock-processing duties are included in this role.
Reporting to a Visitor Services Supervisor, you‘ll ensure that activities are delivered according to high standards, consistently and with an excellent demonstration of high-quality service. You’ll be responsible for delivering our services and key activities.
About you
You’ll be experienced in working with the public in a busy visitor or customer service environment and will have exceptional customer care skills. You’ll be able to demonstrate a proactive approach to and experience of visitor services with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. With excellent communication skills, you’ll have the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of service users and speak publicly to a diverse range of audiences both internally and externally.
You will have the ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships, especially across publicly engaging offices.
You will encourage a culture where your team members are empowered to deliver high quality work which will enhance the reputation of the Parliament. You’ll also champion collaborative working with colleagues across the parliamentary service, promoting positive and open communication, as well as our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a Minority Ethnic background and Disabled candidates. All appointments will be made on merit. We have a values-based culture of respect and inclusion embedded in our organisation, and everyone has the ability to make a difference.
This appointment is also open to people looking to apply on a secondment basis.
We offer a great range of benefits including: 41.5 leave days (including public holidays) pro-rated to hours worked, paid professional subscriptions, family-friendly policies, Season Ticket advance loans, an onsite gym, Health, and Wellbeing Schemes including discounted gym membership, a confidential counselling and information service, and the Cycle to Work Scheme.
You’ll also have the opportunity to join the Alpha Civil Service pension scheme, where we’ll offer you an employer contribution of 28.97% of your basic salary.
For further information about the role please see the attached job description. You can also contact the Chair of the recruitment panel,
How to apply
Stage 1
Please apply before 12:00 noon, Monday, 21 July 2025 .
To find out how to apply and for further information about our recruitment process, please see our recruitment process pages on the website.
Please note that only your statement will be submitted to Hiring Managers, without any personal details. Hiring managers will then select candidates for further assessment or interview based on their statement which addresses the values within the job description.
Stage 2
If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to complete a visitor experience report in advance which you will then use to form the basis of a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation to be given at the interview. Interviews will be held the week commencing 18 August 2025, although this is subject to change.
Offers will be awarded based on merit. For this role, the following weighting is used to come to a final score on which offers will be based. Application 20%, Assessment/Presentation 20%, Interview 60%.
All new starts will be appointed to the first scale point of the grade for their role. For information on progression through the scale points, see our Pay and Reward Policy Statement.
Feedback will only be provided on request to those who attend interview.
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please email:
Visitor Services Officer Apply online
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Head of Infrastructure employer: Scottish Parliament
Contact Detail:
Scottish Parliament Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Infrastructure
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Scottish Parliament's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to public engagement and service excellence will help you align your approach during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your experience in visitor services or customer care. Think of specific examples where you've demonstrated exceptional service, as this role heavily relies on strong interpersonal skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your public speaking skills. Since you'll need to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, being comfortable presenting information will be crucial for your interview presentation.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of the Scottish Parliament if possible. They can provide insights into the work culture and expectations, which can be invaluable for tailoring your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Infrastructure
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and required skills for the Visitor Services Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Craft a Strong Statement: Since only your statement will be submitted to hiring managers, make sure it clearly addresses the values outlined in the job description. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your customer service skills and ability to work in a team.
Prepare for the Presentation: If your application is successful, you'll need to prepare a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation based on a visitor experience report. Start thinking about how you can effectively communicate your ideas and engage your audience.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, double-check your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Parliament
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the key responsibilities of a Visitor Services Officer. Be prepared to discuss how your previous experience aligns with these duties, especially in customer service and public engagement.
✨Prepare Your Presentation
Since you'll need to deliver a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation during the interview, choose a relevant topic that showcases your skills and understanding of visitor services. Practice your delivery to ensure you can communicate clearly and confidently.
✨Showcase Your Customer Care Skills
Highlight your exceptional customer care skills during the interview. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed visitor interactions or resolved issues, demonstrating your proactive approach and attention to detail.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
The role requires working closely with others, so be ready to discuss how you foster positive working relationships. Share examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues in previous roles to enhance service delivery and promote a culture of inclusion.