Wells Cathedral: Café Assistant

Background Information to the Post ofCafé Assistant

Wells

Situated on the edge of the Mendip Hills in the County of Somerset, Wells is one of England’s most beautiful and compact cities, built around the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Its picturesque surroundings include a quaint market square and high street, the Bishop’s Palace and the magnificent Vicars Close, Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited street.

The Cathedral

Wells Cathedral deservedly has gained an enviable reputation for its lovingly maintained Gothic architecture, its world class music, and its Ministry of Welcome to some 250,000 visitors each year as well as around 150,000 people who come to the Cathedral for services, concerts, lectures etc.

Underpinning the life and worship of the Cathedral is a diverse organisation whose responsibilities cover an internationally recognised choir, works, virgers, library, archive, education, outreach, finance, HR, administration, volunteer management and trading companies. The Cathedral’s regular income is derived from three main sources: entry donations and other voluntary income; property and investments; and its commercial activities, which currently comprise two shops and catering business.

More details may be found on the Cathedral’s website:

Application Process

We hope you find this pack provides all the information you need in order to consider your application for this post. If, however, you have any further questions please initially contact Maria Webber (tel. 01749 685113 or email ) who will redirect you to the appropriate person.

Applications

CVs should be returned to Human Resources, either by post to Cathedral Offices, Chain Gate, Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE or by email to

Shortlisting

To ensure the fairness of the selection process, shortlisting will be based upon the information which you provide and assumptions will not be made about your experience or skills. We will look for demonstrable evidence that you meet the criteria set out in the person specification. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the shortlisting process.

Interview

Further details regarding the selection process will be communicated at the time applicants are invited for interview. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references.

Safeguarding

We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults, and the care and nurture of children within our church communities. We will carefully select, train and support all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles. This means that we will:

•Ensure that our recruitment and selection processes are inclusive, fair, consistent and transparent.

•Take all reasonable steps to prevent those who might harm children or adults from taking up, in our Churches, positions of respect, responsibility or authority where they are trusted by others.

•Adhere to safer recruitment legislation, guidance and standards.

Further information can be found in our Safeguarding Policy available on the diocesan website. All applicants are required to complete a Confidential Declaration Form as part of our recruitment process when an offer of employment is made. This form is strictly confidential and, except under compulsion of law, will be seen only by those involved in the recruitment/appointment process and, when appropriate, the nominated safeguarding lead or someone acting in a similar role/position. All forms will be kept securely in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST:Café Assistant
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Cathedral Cafe is a counter service Café and Restaurant with 96 covers
KEY PURPOSE OF POST:
Serve customers
LOCATION: Wells Cathedral, Wells
REPORTING TO:Assistant Manager
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  1. Ensure all customers are made to feel welcome and are dealt with in a polite, efficient and effective manner.
  2. Carry out all tasks to ensure the smooth operation of the service area (i.e. the serving of food, drinks and clearing of tables) always maintaining the highest possible standards.
  3. Carry out general tasks as required ensuring the smooth operation of the company (i.e. clearing, ironing, dishwashing, replenishing of stocks).
  4. Undertake tasks associated with the handling of food and be aware of the risks involved.
  5. Operate the till when directed, ensuring that amounts entered and change given are correct at each transaction.
  6. Assist at functions at other venues when required.
  7. Ensure that relevant statutory requirements are met.
  8. Carry out such other duties as may be necessary for the proper execution of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Key Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Qualifications and Experience /
  • Managing Staff
  • Handling Money
  • GCSE English & Maths
/
  • Food Safety in Catering Level 2
  • Emergency First Aid at Work

Skills and Abilities /
  • Anticipate problems before they occur
  • Work under pressure
  • Seek tasks when trade is slow
  • Good time keeping
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Numerate

Work-related Personal Qualities /
  • Clean and tidy
  • Honest
  • Pride in Personal Appearance

Main Terms and Conditions

Hours of Work / 1 x 26 hours per week working Monday to Friday
1 x 19 hours per week working Thursday, Friday, Saturday
1 x 15 hours per week working Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Salary / National Minimum Wage
Pension / Defined Contribution Scheme. Contributions as % of salary:
Age Employee Employer
<50 2.5% 5%
50-55 4% 8%
>55 5% 10%
Holiday / Five working weeks per calendar year plus bank holidays, each pro rata.
The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.
Location / The Cathedral, Wells
Expenses / All reasonable working expenses will be met in line with Cathedral policy
Probation / This post will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months

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