Would you like to work for the charity that cares for hundreds of historic sites in every corner of England? We are looking for a Visitor Assistant to join us at Totnes Castle working 8hrs per week April-October, 0hrs November-March.
No history background? No problem. What is important to us is a passion for people and excellent customer service. You will enjoy working with others as part of a team and understand what makes excellent customer service to deliver an engaging visitor experience to a diverse audience.
Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage.
Heritage lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions. It can connect us all to the past, and to each other. It can make us happier, strengthen every community, and help shape society for the better. Everybody should be able to enjoy the benefits it brings. That's why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it's why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.
Totnes Castle welcomes around 19,000 visitors a year, who come to explore the castle ruins and find out more about its intriguing stories. Many of our visitors are local residents who simply come to enjoy the wonderful green space and views. With a small shop inside the welcome hut, occasional school visits and community events, this role provides an opportunity for you to get experience in a range of different areas. We are especially keen to hear from you if you're interested in working at a smaller site where you'll be involved in all areas of the operation, working with one or two colleagues to manage a range of daily tasks across the whole site.
Please note; due to the responsibilities and requirements of this role, successful applicants will be required to undergo a basic DBS check and the employment offer will be contingent on this.
By joining us as a Totnes Castle Visitor Assistant, you will be part of an amazing team of employees and volunteers, ensuring visitors have a great time from the moment they arrive until they say goodbye. Through your recommendations, you will help personalise their visit - this could include talking about the benefits of English Heritage membership or recommending things to see and do on site. You will also contribute to making sure your site is accessible, safe and well presented at all times.
It is a varied role - some days will be busy from start to finish and others quieter, especially on the wetter days! Some paid or voluntary experience with the public is beneficial but full training and support is provided as part of your induction.
You will be required to work some weekend days and Bank Holidays, more information will be provided at interview. The role is advertised as 8hrs(1 day) per week during peak season to reduce to 0hrs during the winter months.
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive training
- The opportunity for career progression within the heritage sector in retail, food and beverage or general management
- Apprenticeship opportunities
- Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events
- Free access to all English Heritage sites for you, and up to 6 friends and / or family members
- 25% discount in our shops and cafes
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave
- 25 days' holiday plus Bank Holidays pro rata rising to 28 days after 3 years
- Options to buy additional leave
- Matched pension contributions up to a maximum of 10%
You can find out more about us here: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/ and meet some of our people and hear about why they enjoy working with us: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/our-people/careers-with-us/
Everybody's welcome at English Heritage
Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England's heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We're looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we're committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work. You can connect with others through our EDI networks as a member or ally. These include Ethnic Diversity, Faith & Belief, Social Equity, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Age, Disability and Gender Health and Wellbeing.
We take wellbeing seriously. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe at work and can carry out their role. To support this, we have a network of Mental Health First aiders, regular information and awareness events, unlimited access to an Employee Assistance Programme and work with our people to implement reasonable adjustments.
If you would like to talk to us before you apply e.g. about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please contact Sophie Castle, Dartmouth Cluster Manager, on
[email protected]. No agencies please.
Interviews will be held on Monday 13th July at Dartmouth Castle.
