Job title: Visitor Assistant

Salary: £24,480 (pro rata - £8,270.27)

Hours: 12.5

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds City Museum

As a Visitor Assistant at Leeds City Museum, you’ll deliver a warm welcome, engage visitors with Leeds’ history and collections, and support commercial activities.

This role is ideal for those starting in the cultural sector or seeking a new challenge in a visitor-facing environment.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Visitor Assistant you will bring to the role:

Good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
Ability to work with a wide range of people individually and as part of a team
Knowledge of the requirements of the Health & Safety and Equalities legislation
Experience of working in a customer facing role- engaging with the public
Experience of cash handling and maintaining accurate financial and statistical records
Experience of following security procedures

About the role

As our next Visitor Assistant you’ll play a key role in creating welcoming, inspiring, and memorable experiences for all visitors. This varied and customer-focused role places you at the heart of our museum, where you will ensure every visitor feels safe, informed, and engaged throughout their visit.

You will provide a friendly front-of-house presence, offering information about our collections, exhibitions, and activities while always delivering excellent customer service. You will support front of house and retail operations, including donations and till supervision, and help maintain a clean, safe, and accessible environment. You will also contribute to the security of the museum and collections, following established procedures to protect our spaces and visitors.

Working closely with colleagues, you will assist in delivering learning activities such as school visits, family workshops, and guided tours, helping bring our collections to life for diverse audiences. You will support events and functions, sometimes during evenings and weekends, and assist with exhibition preparation and maintenance.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and a commitment to excellent customer care. You should enjoy working with people, be able to work both independently and as part of a team, and demonstrate an interest in museums and galleries.

If you are passionate about culture, learning, and public engagement, this is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a vibrant and inclusive service.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Joseph McGivern, Site Development Officer. Call 0113 378 5001 or email city.museum@leeds.gov.uk.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job purpose

To provide a safe, easily accessible and friendly environment for all users ensuring they enjoy their visit learning about the site and collections.

Responsibilities

To be reasonable, polite and courteous with all users, providing information on the service’s sites, collections and activities, interpreting and demonstrating exhibits as necessary.
To carry out proactive reception and sales duties (including cash handling).
To be responsible for carrying out security procedures for the site, collections and shop within agreed guidelines.
To assist the Learning & Access Officers and Learning Mentors in the provision of learning activities such as family workshops, school visits and guided tours.
To ensure the Site is clean, tidy and safe, participating in installing exhibitions, display maintenance as directed by Collections staff and ensuring public information points are appropriately stocked.
To assist with the preparation and support of conferences, functions and events including evening working.
To report any changes in the standard environmental conditions (humidity, lighting etc) of public areas to appropriate technical or collections staff.
To participate in briefing sessions to develop skills and knowledge pertinent to the post.
To ensure that dress and personal appearance presents the highest standard.
To present a positive image of the Service at all times and to assist in the promotion of Leeds Museums & Galleries through promotional and learning activities and events.
To be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health and Safety Policy being responsible for your own health and safety whilst at work and that of your colleagues and our customers. Achieve recognised Health & Safety qualification specific to job need. Carry out risk assessment and implement safe systems of work as required.
To promote and apply consistently the principles of Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policies both with colleagues and members of the public to ensure fair and equal access to services and opportunities.
To undertake any other duties as commensurate with the grade.

Required to work evenings and weekends dependant on service need
The postholder will be based at the one of the sites but will be expected to work across the service as necessary.
If a uniform is provided it must be worn & maintained to a good standard.

Essential requirements

Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Behavioural and other Characteristics required

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Knowledge of good practice in visitor services
Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office
Experience of basic object handling & care
Flexible approach to working hours