At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in maintaining the museum's facilities and ensuring a safe visitor experience.
- Company: Join the vibrant team at V&A Dundee, a leading cultural institution.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days holiday, pension scheme, and discounts on exhibitions.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic environment and contribute to an iconic museum.
- Qualifications: Experience in public buildings and practical skills like painting or carpentry.
The predicted salary is between 25376 - 27439 £ per year.
The Operations team is responsible for the daily operation and visitor experience of V&A Dundee. As part of the Facilities Team, the Facilities Assistant reports to the Facilities Manager and will assist in the operation, maintenance, safety and security of the museum and its many functions.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Help and carry out reactive and scheduled work (Planned Preventative Maintenance) to maintain the site to the highest standard.
- Complete daily facilities and health and safety checklists, reporting issues to the Facilities or Duty Manager or Head of Building Operations, and liaising with Dundee City Council to ensure the appropriate contractor is used.
- Identify and undertake general maintenance and janitorial tasks, including any function that promotes the smooth running of the facility.
- Carry out weekly testing of life safety systems and visitor use systems (fire alarms, door controls, pull cords, fire extinguishers, etc.).
- Support the entry and updating of items in the asset register with relevant information.
- Assist with the planning and organisation of maintenance contractors, enabling access and escorting contractors around the premises, completing maintenance and contractor logs as required.
- Ensure external grounds are kept clean, tidy and safe; keep main pathways and entrances clear and safe in inclement weather conditions.
- Clean specialist areas on an ad-hoc and scheduled timescale, such as water features and wall slats.
- Oversee waste management, keeping the bin store in good order and clean; arrange uplift of ad-hoc waste, confidential waste and special waste.
- Assist in the set-up of events, meetings, training and other occasions.
- Maintain health and safety precautions in all working areas and comply with policies and procedures (COSHH, Risk Assessments, Electricity at Work, Safe Systems at Work, Manual Handling and safe use of equipment).
- Attend training as appropriate and keep all necessary skills up to date.
- Maintain operations stores, manage stock of equipment and order consumables.
- Ensure the upkeep of all plant rooms and back-of-house areas to a high standard of cleanliness, reporting any non-compliance to the Facilities Manager or the Head of Building Operations.
- Stay familiar with the Building Management System (BMS) and monitor electricity, water and environmental conditions, liaising with the Facilities and Exhibitions department heads as appropriate.
- Undertake a key role as Fire Marshall during evacuations and provide technical support in investigations.
- Serve as weekend on-call keyholder for the building, reporting issues to Dundee City Council out-of-hours staff when appropriate.
- Respond to call-out requests and liaise with Dundee City Council and other appropriate parties.
- Assist with the maintenance and management of alarm and key systems.
- Remain security conscious and alert, ensuring a deep knowledge of museum security procedures.
- Perform any other duties reasonably requested by the Facilities Manager or Head of Building Operations / Duty Manager.
Person Specification
- Essential
- Experience working within a public building.
- Practical skills such as painting, basic carpentry and competence with tools.
- Experience with AV and technical equipment.
- Strong organisational, administrative and communication skills.
- Positive, enthusiastic and proactive approach, leading by example.
- Ability to act with tact and diplomacy with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and e-mail.
- Practical awareness of health and safety.
- Desirable
- Trade background (painting and decorating or joinery).
- Experience working in a museum or visitor attraction.
- IOSH working safely (or similar qualifications).
- Knowledge of first aid.
Application Deadline
No later than 17:00, 03 May 2026.
Working Hours and Benefits
This is a part-time position: 30 hours per week, four days from 7 am, including a variety of shift timings and occasional weekend work from our museum in Dundee. Benefits include 38 days holiday, pension scheme, company sick pay, entry to V&A Dundee paid exhibitions and many other discounts and benefits.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from everyone. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or any other protected characteristics. V&A Dundee is aware that flexible working is a central element of attracting and retaining disabled people in the labour market. We encourage you to apply if you define yourself as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 (including deaf or neurodivergent). We are a disability confident employer and offer guaranteed interviews for applicants with a disability who successfully evidence they meet the essential criteria. If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, such as receiving interview questions in advance or documents in an alternative format, please let us know via email: People@vandadundee.org.
Facilities Assistant in Dundee employer: V&A Dundee
Contact Detail:
V&A Dundee Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Facilities Assistant in Dundee
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the museum! Before your interview, take a stroll around V&A Dundee and familiarise yourself with its layout and exhibits. This will not only impress the interviewers but also help you understand how your role as a Facilities Assistant fits into the bigger picture.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your practical skills! Whether it's painting, basic carpentry, or handling AV equipment, be ready to share examples of how you've used these skills in past roles. We want to see your hands-on experience shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive during the interview! Ask questions about the team dynamics and how the Facilities Team collaborates with other departments. This shows your enthusiasm and helps us see how you might fit into our culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your interest in V&A Dundee specifically, which we love to see!
We think you need these skills to ace Facilities Assistant in Dundee
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Skills: Make sure to highlight any practical skills you have, like painting or basic carpentry. We want to see how your experience aligns with the hands-on tasks in the role!
Be Organised: Since this role involves a lot of coordination and communication, showcase your organisational skills. Mention any relevant experience that demonstrates your ability to manage tasks effectively.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific duties and responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their experience to our needs.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at V&A Dundee
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with the daily operations of a public building, especially in a museum context. Brush up on your knowledge of health and safety regulations, as well as any specific maintenance tasks mentioned in the job description, like fire safety systems and janitorial duties.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your practical skills, such as painting or basic carpentry. If you have experience with AV equipment or tools, make sure to highlight that too. Prepare examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles to demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication is key for this role. Practice explaining complex tasks simply and clearly, as you'll need to liaise with contractors and report issues effectively. Think of scenarios where you had to communicate with diverse groups and how you handled those situations.
✨Be Proactive and Positive
Exude enthusiasm during your interview! Share instances where you took initiative or led by example in past roles. Employers love candidates who are proactive and can maintain a positive attitude, especially in a dynamic environment like a museum.