GLASTONBURY ABBEY
Last updated March 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION FOR LIVING HISTORY PRESENTER
Annual rate £13,797 - £14,125 pro rata
REPORTS TO:
The Assistant Education Officer Glastonbury Abbey
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Education Team, Ticket Office Team, Shop
staff, Café staff, volunteers and visitors
The daily team of up to 3 Living History Presenters will work with a designated
coordinator/team leader who will direct the team in the tasks that are required
on a daily basis.
This job is part time and seasonal, responding to the visitor flows and booked
school groups across the year.
PURPOSE OF THE POST:
The primary purpose of this post is to provide welcome and information to the
visitors at the Abbey through living history presentations, guided tours and
other visitor services.
This job description sets out the principal accountabilities of the post. It does
not include every task necessary to fulfil the purpose of the post.
Welcome and inform visitors
1. To work as part of a small team of costumed presenters to inform
visitors about the life and times of the Abbey. Assistance with finding a
suitable costume will be given.
2. To work with the Ticket Office and Front of House team to welcome all
visitors.
3. Hold and develop excellent knowledge of Abbey history, archaeology
and impact as a major centre of local and national heritage.
4. To be committed to the principle of lifelong education for all visitors.
Develop practical skills:
1. After training and research, to be able to give presentations to groups
of visitors in the Abbey grounds.
2. After training and research, to be able to give guided tours of the
Abbey ruins to groups of visitors.
3. To be able to demonstrate aspects of medieval life to visitors
4. To answer questions from the public in an informed and accessible
way.
5. To assist the Assistant Education Officer with providing specific
educational activities for pupils of all ages.
Role Responsibilities
Plan and prepare for presentations to promote a professional and credible
image.
Be mindful of the public relations commitment embedded in this role and treat
children and the public in a way which helps secure return visits.
Carry out live presentations in a manner which informs, enlightens and
entertains the visitors.
Attend training sessions when required to improve the quality of the services
to the public.
Observe equal opportunities, with respect to both visitors and members of
staff.
Observe all Health and Safety at Work procedures as set out by the Abbey.
Be responsible for your own personal health and safety and that of others,
including visitors.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Requirement
Education and
Qualifications
Details of competences and capabilities
None specific. All members of the Living History Team
are subject to DBS clearance.
Cheerful disposition, approachable manner and helpful
attitude
Able to research and develop a medieval Benedictine
monk from the history of the Abbey.
Ability to research the history and stories connected to
the Abbey accurately and to retell these effectively.
Experience
Confidence to address a wide range of people including
members of the public through short talks and guided
tours.
Knowledge
Ability to assess visitors and visitor groups when
meeting and greeting, and to facilitate their visit with an
appropriate level of information.
Skills and abilities
A key element of this job is being able to be flexible and
to adapt to the needs of visitors as they become
apparent.
Good communication skills and the ability to
communicate comfortably with a wide range of people.
Able to speak clearly and hold an audience.
Able to research, retain information and deliver talks in
an engaging way.
Ability to keep within time constraints.
Other
Julie Hayes
March 2015
Ability to work co-operatively as a member of the Living
History team.