Edward Jenner Museum

VOLUNTEER VISITOR SERVICES ASSISTANT
(FRONT OF HOUSE)
Dr Jenner’s House & Garden is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our Visitor
Experience Team to assist in the day-to-day running of the museum's shop and
reception, engaging with visitors, sharing their experiences and generally promoting
the museum and its visitor experience.
We ask our Volunteer Visitor Services Assistants to volunteer flexibly for a minimum
of 1 day per week over a choice 4 days, from 1130 – 1730hrs from 1 April until 1
October 2014, with consideration for any holiday commitments volunteers may
have. In July and August the museum is also open on Saturdays. We would also very
much appreciate any volunteers would could offer these Saturdays as well as
Sundays and Bank Holidays.
If you would like to apply for one of these voluntary roles, please complete the
attached Volunteer Application Form including the names and addresses of two
referees to the address given on the form.
Volunteer Role Title:
Volunteer Visitor Services Assistant (Front of House)
Role Purpose:
The purpose of this role is to assist in the day to day running of the museum shop
and reception, engaging with visitors, sharing their experiences and promoting the
museum and its visitor experience.
Role Description:

Assist with opening up and closing down the museum in accordance with our
published opening times.

Greeting visitors as they arrive at the museum, issuing tickets, serving
customers in the shop, operating the till, stocking shelves and general tasks
as required.

Interact with visitors, answering enquiries and ensuring they are provided
with useful and up to date information for their visit.

Monitoring exhibits and displays through the day, ensuring all public areas
are clean and tidy.

Maintaining records of visitor numbers and stock sold and ensuring cash
takings reconcile with the till roll at the end of the day.
Requirements:

A passion for providing a high level of customer service

A willingness to interact with all visitors to the museum

Ability to work in a team environment.

Accuracy when dealing with cash transactions
Commitment to You:

Volunteers will receive relevant health & safety training plus a full induction
for the role prior to their first day in the museum

The museum will reimburse the volunteer for travel expenses for travel
incurred for their shifts and any external training

A member of staff will always be on-site to ensure support and supervision
for volunteers during their shift
What’s in it For You:

Join a dynamic and friendly team

Work at a globally significant heritage site

Gain experience in front of house operations at an Accredited Museum

Gain recognised customer service & health and safety training

The opportunity to attend external training courses

Be integral to The Jenner Trust’s mission to communicate Edward Jenner’s
remarkable achievements and legacy to all who visit
 Volunteers will gain the benefits of role specific training and development
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Why We Want You:
To enhance the visitor experience in the museum and help us to continue to provide
a friendly, first-class visit.
Person Specification
Essential
Skills and Experience
Interest in and aptitude for a customer-facing
service role
Interest and enthusiasm for being in a museum
environment
Good numerical and oral communication skills
Comfort with handling cash accurately
The confidence to deal potentially stressful
situations, for example dealing with large
groups of people, queues and busy periods
The
ability
to
learn
the
visitor
welcome/reception procedure and undertake it
accurately
Comfort with asking visitors if they would like to
buy guidebooks, gift aid their admission and
with
selling
and
promoting
museum
merchandise
After training, be able to use visitor equipment
correctly and accurately for example credit card
machine, two-way radios, the till and Hearing
Loop equipment
An interest in History, and the History of
Science, Medicine and Technology, and an
enthusiasm for the Jenner story.
Personal Qualities
Loyalty and a strong commitment to the
museum and its work as a heritage visitor
attraction
A good team player, and an ability to get on well
with people in a team situation
A friendly and helpful disposition
Reliability, flexibility and adaptability
A sense of humour
Other
Willingness to acquire an excellent working
knowledge of the Health and Safety procedures
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Desirable
operating at the museum
A smart and tidy appearance as required for a
customer service role presenting first
impressions of the museum.
Interest in taking part in the life of the museum
and the museum community
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Other Factors
As the museum is located in a rural area with poor public transport provision a
driving licence and access to a car is likely to be important to undertake the role.
Version 1.0 / 2014
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