Gallery Assistant (Visitor Services)

Application Pack

Impressions Galleryis one of the UK’s leading contemporary photography Gallery.The Gallery programmes up to 6 exhibitions a year, comprising of a mix of national and international artists. Impressions has a history of exhibiting artists from culturally diverse or non-western backgrounds. Education is an integral part of the Gallery’s programme, comprising of events for various sectors of the community. The Gallery plays a crucial role in the national network of Arts Council funded photography organisations and has a well won international reputation.

Bradford 1 Galleryis part of Bradford Museums, Galleries and Heritage, a service of Bradford Metropolitan District Council. The service also operates Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford Industrial Museum, Bolling Hall, Manor House Museum, Cliffe Castle Museum and Bracken Hall Countryside Centre. The service has a national reputation for its collections, exhibitions and innovative Learning and Outreach programmes. Bradford 1 Gallery will display a range of art and craft exhibitions drawn from both the Bradford collections and from touring museums and galleries. It is funded by Bradford MDC, Yorkshire Renaissance and the Arts Council of England Yorkshire.

Application Guidelines
Gallery Assistant (Visitor Services)

When you send your application to us, make sure you enclose the following:

A letter of application providing information explaining how you fulfil the essential criteria and why you are interested in the job
A current CV
The names of two employee referees or similar trustworthy positions within the last 18 months. Please indicate if they can be approached prior to interview. We may also require a police check before the position is offered
A completed Equal Opportunities form. The information will remain confidential and is for monitoring purposes only. It will not be used in the selection process.
If invited for interview you will be asked to verify your residency status and provide proof, e.g. passport.
Please note if you have not heard from us by Tuesday 5 June your application has not been successful. Impressions Gallery cannot provide feedback to candidates who are not short listed.

Closing date for applications is Friday 15th February 2008

Interviews will be held on Thursday 28th February 2008

Terms and Working Conditions

Gallery Assistant (Visitor Services)

The salary is £12,500 per annum for 37.5 hours per week. Please note the working week for this job is

Tuesday 10.45am to 18.15pm

Wednesday 10.45am to 18.15pm

Thursday 10.45 to 20.15pm

Friday 10.45am to 18.15pm

Saturday 11.45am to 5.15pm

Holiday entitlement is 20 days per year, with an additional day per year for every year worked rising to 25 days maximum. Please note Impressions Gallery does not run a pension scheme.

Please note an aspect post involves physical work such as lifting and manoeuvring items of various weight and sizes.

Person Specification
Gallery Assistant (Visitor Services)

This post would suit someone who is out-going, friendly, likes people and can connect with the public. On occasions you will be assisting disabled visitors, young children and the elderly. The posts demands that discretion and courtesy is exercised. We are looking for some one who can use their initiative, who will be pro-active in their work and can work to deadlines. The successful candidate must have an interest and enthusiasm for modern art, contemporary photography and art galleries. This person will be joining a small and dedicated team. The work environment is relaxed whilst maintaining professional high standards.

Please read the selection criteria carefully and provide as much information as possible in your application letter to demonstrate how you think your experience meets these criteria.

Job Description
Gallery Assistant (Visitor Services)

Responsible to: Executive Director

Line Manager: Gallery Manager

Purpose:

To provide a high standard of professional reception service for Impressions Gallery and Bradford 1 Gallery. To undertake ‘front of house’ duties and to be the friendly face of the galleries by creating and ensuring a pleasant atmosphere for visitors. To provide visitors with pro-active help, direction and information on the exhibitions, activities and the galleries.

To ensure the maintenance and cleanliness for the day-to-day running of the galleries and all public spaces. To ensure the day to day running of the shop. To assist in the mounting and dismantling, packing and care of exhibitions, displays and interpretation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Reception

To be the friendly and informative face to the public entering the galleries and public spaces
To ensure good communication between the galleries and the public. To answer the telephones, respond to enquires and to circulate messages
To answer email enquiries, respond to enquires and to circulate messages
To open and circulate mail and information
To provide administrative support - such as photocopying, filing, data base update etc.
To assist in bulk mail outs as required
To accept deliveries, checking and signing delivery notes
To oversee the cleanliness and maintenance of the galleries and all public spaces and to report any problems to the relevant person.
To undertake fire drills as and when required and use of fire hoses and extinguishers as appropriate
To assist with evacuation procedures during emergencies
To administer basic first aid as appropriate
To be responsible for lost property

2. Front of house and shop

To open and close galleries and /or public spaces at stipulated times, including locks and alarm systems
To provide visitors with information on exhibitions etc and to direct them to particular exhibits upon enquiry
To carry out observations on the CCTV system patrol the galleries and public spaces, watching for theft, vandalism, damage, unruly or anti-social behaviour and taking the necessary action in accordance with instructions.
To deal with the sale of all items of commercial stock
To record any such sales by cash register or other specified means
To monitor stock levels and replenish as required
To record deficit in stock levels and to report this information to relevant staff and/or order stock as instructed
To be responsible for the maintenance, cleanliness and general upkeep of the shop area
To assist with the annual stock take with appropriate staff
Supervision of casual weekend front of house staff

3. Galleries

To assist both Impressions and Bradford 1 Galleries in installing and de- installing exhibitions during hanging weeks
To assist exhibition and curatorial staff in loading and unloading of extremely valuable exhibits and goods and moving these as instructed
To be responsible for the cleanliness and general upkeep of the galleries including interpretation and signage
To ensure the cleanliness and upkeep of The Lounge
To operate a range of audio visual and other equipment as required and instructed
To assist in the running of exhibition openings (including washing, sweeping, cleaning up after etc) and other public events
To attend exhibitions openings as required
To attend public events as required
To log exhibition proposals

4. Other duties

To promote and represent the aims and activities of Impressions Gallery and Bradford 1 Gallery
Required to ensure that daily appearance is neat, tidy and clothing does not offend members of the public.
To adhere to Impressions Gallery Equal Opportunities Policy, Health and Safety Policy.
To contribute to and understand Risk Assessments
To work weekends on a rota system and occasional Bank Holidays

Selection Criteria

Gallery Assistant (Visitor Services)

Essential Attributes

Minimum of one year experience in a customer-facing environment, for example, reception duties or retail

Should be educated to 5 GCSEs (at C or above) or equivalent (for example NVQs) including English and Maths

Interest in art galleries and the work they do

Interest in photography and contemporary art

Confidence with computers, computer literate and good IT skills

Good numeracy skills

Good verbal and written communication skills

Tact and diplomacy, neat and tidy appearance

Excellent phone manner

Commitment to working to Impressions Gallery Equal Opportunities Policy

Must be legally entitled to work in the UK

Desirable Attributes

First Aid certificate (if not willing to undertake training)

Caring skills

Practical DIY skills

Community language

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Recruitment

Impressions Gallery selects candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, belief or age. All applicants are requested to complete an equal opportunities form for monitoring purposes only.

This ensures the effective implementation of our Diversity Policy. The information you give will be kept anonymous and will not affect your application. You do not have to answer any questions that you do not wish to.

Please tick as appropriate:

Your cultural / ethnic origin / Gender
White: British / Female
White: Irish / Male
White: other
Asian or British Asian: Bangladeshi / Do you have access needs?
Asian or British Asian: Indian / No
Asian or British Asian: Pakistani / Yes
Black or Black British: Other / Wheelchair user
Black or Black British: African / Speech impairment
Black or Black British: Caribbean / Hearing impairment
Dual: African and White / Partially sighted
Dual: Asian and White / Learning difficulty
Dual: Black Caribbean and White / Physical disability
Dual: Chinese and White / Deaf
Dual: Other / Blind
Other / Other

Thank you for taking part