FOLKESTONE TOWN COUNCIL
Heritage Support Officer – Job Description
Responsible to:
Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
Salary Scale:
23-25 (pro rata)
Post No:
Supplements:
Nil
Overall Purpose
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Develop and deliver a programme of exhibitions, events, activities and
learning opportunities for visitors to the museum and gallery as directed by
the Town Clerk.
Identify and procure contractors, speakers, volunteers and guests to carry
out special activities, workshops, talks or events.
Support staff and oversee volunteers to ensure collections are properly
preserved, cared for, catalogued and interpreted.
Duties Job Specific:
Event Planning & Delivery
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Support in the development and delivery a programme of heritage events and
activities suitable for a range of audiences including adults, schools and
families (e.g. timelines, suppliers, layouts, schedules, legal obligations,
staffing and budgets).
Work with and oversee volunteers to help you deliver events.
Supervise and direct events staff and contractors, and handle queries and
troubleshooting on the day of the event to ensure that all runs smoothly.
Coordinate post-event evaluation (including data entry and analysis and
producing reports).
Identify all aspects of event risk assessment and crisis management planning
strategies for events and activities ensuring insurance, legal, health and
safety obligations are adhered to.
Monitor and manage events budgets in accordance with Council policies, and
help prepare annual budgetary information.
Research opportunities to work with other museums and heritage
organisations to develop and put on partnership events
Identify sources of funding to support with the museum’s development.
Frequently work outside normal office hours to manage events, including
weekends, bank holidays and evenings.
Promotion
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Work with internal and external staff to prepare promotional material and
press releases, and co-ordinate photo opportunities and press conferences for
events.
Update and develop the ‘What’s On’ sections of Folkestone Town Council’s
website, Facebook and Twitter pages.
Communication
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Maintain good relationships with local schools, partners, organisations and
stakeholders and attend any relevant meetings.
Arrange and chair event meetings with internal colleagues and external
stakeholders / partners.
Liaise with relevant colleagues, stakeholders and partners regarding the
museum’s development e.g. Museum Development Officer, Kent County
Council, Heritage Lottery, Arts Council England etc.
Act as the ‘face’ of the museum and advocate all developments and
initiatives
Collection
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Support staff in overseeing the work of the Collections Assistant.
Support with the day to day management and care of the collections
including cataloguing, conservation, preservation and environmental
monitoring, to support accreditation and the development / running of the
museum.
Work with Collections Assistant to identify, and use appropriately, parts of
the collection to support events and educational activities.
Support staff and the Collections Assistant with exhibitions and
interpretation as and when necessary
Continually develop and update knowledge of the collection and local
history of the area
Act as an advocate for the artefacts and history of the town
Support Collections Assistant with public enquiries regarding the collection
and loan requests
Continually develop and update knowledge on collections care and
management
Support with the training of volunteers to carry out simple collections care
tasks etc.
Contribute to the drafting of the documentation procedures manual and
documentation plan for accreditation
Support with developing and updating the Modes catalogue which
contains details of the museum collections
Be responsible for own professional development and training needs and
organise the training of volunteers
General
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Undertake other FTC duties as requested by the Town Clerk.
To attend staff briefing and training courses where appropriate
This post involves evening and weekend working with flexible working
hours.
FOLKESTONE TOWN COUNCIL
Heritage Support Officer - PERSON SPECIFICATION
Attributes
Relevant Experience
Education and Training
Essential
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Museum/Gallery experience or
a similar heritage organisation
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Event management
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Experience of developing and
delivering events and activities
for a variety of audiences
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Experience of working with
children and school groups
Relevant degree or level 4
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qualification
GCSE / “O” Level English and
Maths or equivalent standard in
these subjects
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Special Knowledge and 
Skills
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Any Additional Factors
Desirable
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Excellent written and verbal
communication skills
Excellent project management
skills
Good knowledge of Word,
Excel
Keen interest in heritage and
culture
Excellent organisational skills
and ability to manage large
volumes of information (e.g.
museum documentation)
Team player
Ability to work alone and on
own initiative
Ability to liaise with the general
public
Flexibility
Ability to work some Saturdays
when necessary
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Experience of developing
and delivering heritage
activities
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Applying for external
funding
Museum/Gallery related
qualification
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Research skills
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Understanding of
collections care /
management
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Display skills
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Presentation skills
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Driving licence