NOTE: THIS ROLE IS FOR SATURDAYS 10AM TO 4PM AND SUNDAYS 12.30PM TO 3PM. IT IS ONLY SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN PEMBROKESHIRE WITH THEIR OWN TRANSPORT
Overview
St Davids Cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings in Wales: home of Wales’ patron saint and a place of pilgrimage for over 900 years. We welcome over 200,000 visitors a year and have a busy programme of services, concerts and other events.
The role of Welcomer is critical as you will usually be the first contact visitors have with the Cathedral, and therefore have a direct and immediate impact on people’s experience of the Cathedral.
This experience has a corresponding impact on donations made by visitors. We rely heavily on these donations to meet the £1.5M a year it costs to keep the Cathedral open. A key part of the Welcomer’s role is encouraging donations from visitors.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
· manning the welcome/reception desk within the Cathedral
· greeting visitors and giving them general information to help them enjoy their visit whilst maintaining their safety and the safety of everyone within the building
· answering visitors’ specific questions such as the location of facilities, the work of the Cathedral in its Christian ministry, the history of the building etc.
· encouraging donations and sales in an open and tactful way, explaining our reliance on visitor donations, shop sales etc. to maintain the cathedral building, its heritage and ministry, as appropriate
· encouraging longer term giving through the new 1% Campaign, where visitors are invited to make a monthly donation
· liaising with tour groups when they arrive, checking numbers and taking any payment required, issuing receipts
· liaising with concert and event organizers and their teams when setting up for booked concerts etc.
· acting as part of the Cathedral team, supporting the vergers, shop and other staff as needed and as appropriate
· receiving deliveries or directing delivery drivers as appropriate
· handling and logging any lost property
· any other duties as required.
Your role also encompasses managing visitors:
· helping them to understand and respect that this is first and foremost a place of worship
· maintaining various in-house policies e.g. no dogs apart from assistance dogs, no drink or food to be brought into the Cathedral
· ensuring adherence by visitors to the Cathedral’s Safeguarding Policy, e.g explaining the restrictions on photography and recording during choir practice and other events involving Cathedral choristers/visiting schoolchildren
· keeping everyone safe e.g. directing people and helping to evacuate the building if the fire alarm sounds or if there are other incidents requiring a building evacuation or invacuation.
Skills and Experience Required
Essential
· a friendly, engaging, confident and outgoing personality; helpful and polite at all times; ability to direct visitors without being officious; and to answer a variety of questions. Although the great majority of our visitors are very pleasant, you will need on occasion to deal with visitors who are rude and cross, especially when urged to make a donation, or disappointed that the Cathedral is closed for visiting due to a service (e.g. a funeral)
· previous experience in a customer facing role, preferably in a retail environment
· an interest in the Cathedral and a willingness to learn about its mission and history
· empathy with the Christian ethos of the Cathedral and the Church in Wales’ mission
· reliable and punctual, understanding the importance of time keeping for this role
· a smart appearance
Desirable
· previous experience in fundraising
· Welsh speaker (beginner or fluent)
· conversational French, German, Italian or Spanish to converse with visitors
Safeguarding: this role will require you to attend Safeguarding training courses and may also require that you go through the Disclosure & Barring Service clearance.
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Work Location: In person
