Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Volunteer Role Description
Role Title:
Conservation and Operations Assistant
Reports to:
House Steward
Purpose of role:
To assist the House Steward in the daily care and preventive conservation
routines within Shakespeare’s Houses and assist the Operations Team in
ensuring that every visitor has an enjoyable visit.
This role would ideally suit someone who would like to gain a varied working
knowledge and experience of working in a busy world class heritage site.
Through this role you will gain knowledge and experience in preventive
conservation, visitor experience, site operations, customer service, and
operation and interpretation. Throughout your time with us there may be
further opportunity to develop and undertake your own projects.
Conservation Responsibilities:
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Working as part of a small dedicated team you will ensure the highest standards of collection
care by assisting with the daily preventive conservation cleaning routines.
Assist the House Steward in correctly moving and packing objects.
Assist in maintaining accurate records and inventories.
Assist in the environmental monitoring of the houses i.e. monitoring pest activity and light
levels.
Monitor the safety of collections whilst undertaking daily conservation cleaning routines.
Help to protect the building and collections by communicating key conservation messages to
visitors.
Maximise opportunities to engage visitors with the conservation work of the Shakespeare
Birthplace Trust.
Operations Responsibilities:
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Working as part of the Operations Team you will ensure that every visitor has a very
enjoyable visit.
Assist the Visitor Welcome Assistants in managing standard and timed group admissions.
Undertake guiding within the Shakespeare Houses.
Requirements / skills:
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An interest in gaining experience in a busy heritage site
Enthusiasm for developing your own skills, knowledge and experience in the heritage/museum
sector
Good people skills with the ability to talk confidently to both individuals and groups
Good IT skills
Good hand eye co-ordination and attention to detail
The ability to lift and carry objects
Ability to work as part of a small team
Ability to listen to direction and follow instructions
An interest in collection care and conservation
An appreciation of the importance of preventive conservation cleaning
An interest in historic collections
Commitment:
A regular commitment of 1 day a week would assist us in planning.
Length of project or placement:
Ongoing
Administration points:
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Volunteers to wear own comfortable clothing in Shakespeare Birthplace Trust branded
colours; black/dark grey trousers or skirt and white/black/red or grey top.
Volunteer badges and branded clothing will be provided.
Smoking is not allowed on site.
Food is not allowed in exhibition areas and is only permitted in designated areas within the
Shakespeare Houses.
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Nikki Foster
House Steward
27 March 2015