American Museum & Gardens
The mission of the American Museum & Gardens is to educate, stimulate, and inspire its visitors to further the understanding of American history and culture. The Museum carries out this mission through the presentation of its historic rooms, its decorative art and Folk Art collections, also its special exhibitions, publications, learning programmes, and gardens. Our organisation is the only one of its kind outside the boundaries of the United States. We welcome, on average, 60,000 visitors a year.
About the role
The Facilities Assistant role is key in providing maintenance services for the successful operation of the American Museum & Gardens. Working within the Estates Team and in support of the Buildings Manager, the Facilities Assistant is central to ensuring the Museum buildings and site are safe and well presented. The post holder must be able to carry out varied maintenance and operational tasks, including general day-to-day repairs to the buildings and site, moving equipment and cleaning, and giving support to events and exhibitions. They should be good at prioritising and problem solving, and must be able to interact with visitors, volunteers, and staff in a professional manner.
This is a hands-on role that will at times include accessing various areas of buildings, including loft and basement spaces, and work outdoors will also be required. Due to the historic nature of the buildings, not all areas in which the post-holder works are step-free or have level access.
The post holder will be a key holder for the site and will be responsible for opening and closing the museum on a rota basis and may be asked to respond to emergencies outside of general working hours.
The post holder can look forward to working in a Grade I Listed Manor House featuring collections from the United States of America. The Exhibition gallery houses temporary exhibitions of which the post holder will be involved in helping to set up. The Estate is set within 125 acres of land just outside of Bath. With both woodlands and formal gardens on offer.
General Duties
Responsibilities involve several key activities as outlined below:
- To deputise for the Head of Estate and Buildings Manager when they are unavailable.
- To assist with the regular compliance checks in liaison with the Buildings Manager.
- To support occasional cleaning duties as part of general site maintenance.
- To maintain buildings, stores, ancillary spaces, and visitor routes.
- To ensure that all buildings are locked and unlocked as required, and secure when outside of normal opening hours.
- To be aware of the location and operation of all security and fire alarm systems for all buildings and to respond to any alarms in accordance with the standard procedures.
- To have good general building knowledge, such as location of stop cocks, boilers etc.
- To undertake the setting up and striking of rooms, sometimes to tight schedules, for corporate and private functions and conferences to the appropriate plans and specifications. This includes the moving of furniture and set up of audio & visual equipment.
- To be responsible for the safe application and storage of any associated chemicals used within the required tasks.
- To undertake internal and external general maintenance duties around the buildings and estate as required. This may include working at height on ladders and possible exposure to inclement weather conditions.
- To promote good relations with members of the public, clients, contractors, and suppliers by carrying out the duties of the post in an efficient, courteous, and equable manner.
- To act as a key holder and be on call to respond to alarm activations and other emergencies as required by the rota.
Other
· Promote and support the charitable aims of the organisation.
· Take positive action to promote Equal Opportunities in all aspects of the organisation.
· Agree to abide by organisational policies such as Health and Safety, Safeguarding etc.
· Maintain confidentiality in all areas relating to the organisation.
· Maximise income and minimise expenditure whenever possible.
· To be flexible and undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to this role.
Personal specification
Essential:
- General health and safety knowledge of risk assessments and maintaining control measures.
- Adaptable and flexible approach to work with good organisational skills.
- Strong team player with a collaborative work style.
- Able to effectively prioritise workload and use initiative when working within set schedules.
- Able to plan own time effectively and multi-task.
- Practical and hands on with an eye for detail.
- Ability to work at heights.
- Setting up and supporting events in a small sized organisation.
- Willingness to complete job-related training.
Desirable:
- Maintenance or trade skills background. Or operations role at a visitor attraction.
- General knowledge and experience to building services, tools and equipment, stores.
- General knowledge of security and fire systems and procedures.
- First Aid qualification or training.
- Knowledge of old buildings and grounds.
Other information
The American Museum & Gardens is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff members to share this commitment. This role may be subject to a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If called for interview you will be asked to disclose details of any convictions which are not yet spent. The American Museum & Gardens is an equal opportunities employer.
To apply
To apply please head to our company website https://www.americanmuseum.org/join-support/current-vacancies/
The closing date is Monday 24 August @ 0900, although we may close the application process earlier if we have a large amount of applications.
Pay: £25,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
