Application Pack
Gallery Assistant (Visitor Services)
Impressions Gallery is 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 Gallery is 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:
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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
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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
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some one who can use their initiative, who will be proactive 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-today 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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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Essential Attributes
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Minimum of one year experience in a customer-facing
environment, for example, reception duties or retail
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Should be educated to 5 GCSEs (at C or above) or
equivalent (for example NVQs) including English and
Maths
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Interest in art galleries and the work they do
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Interest in photography and contemporary art
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Confidence with computers, computer literate and
good IT skills
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Good numeracy skills
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Good verbal and written communication skills
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Tact and diplomacy, neat and tidy appearance
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Excellent phone manner
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Commitment to working to Impressions Gallery Equal
Opportunities Policy
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Must be legally entitled to work in the UK
Desirable Attributes
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First Aid certificate (if not willing to undertake
training)
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Caring skills
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Practical DIY skills
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Community language
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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:
Do you have access needs?
Bangladeshi
Asian or British Asian:
No
Indian
Asian or British Asian:
Yes
Pakistani
Black or Black British:
Wheelchair user
Other
Black or Black British:
Speech impairment
African
Black or Black British:
Hearing impairment
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Caribbean
Dual: African and White
Partially sighted
Dual: Asian and White
Learning difficulty
Dual: Black Caribbean and
Physical disability
White
Dual: Chinese and White
Deaf
Dual: Other
Blind
Other
Other
Thank you for taking part
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