Welcome & Service Assistant - Cockermouth

Summary

***INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY PLEASE***

As a duty manager at Wordsworth House and Garden you’ll be joining a small and passionate team helping our visitors to have a memorable visit. The role plays a core part in providing both a warm and friendly welcome and operational responsibilities, including opening and closing the property and daily management of the staff and volunteer team. As the responsible member of staff on site you will be the go-to person, problem solving where needed.

Salary: £11.64 per hour with a pay review due in April.

Duration: Fixed Term Contract from March to November 2025

Hours: 712 hours a year. This role is based on annualised hours, where the amount of hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in 12 equal instalments over the year.

2 days a week for eight hours, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The rota pattern will be Saturday to Tuesday, with 10 days off, working every other weekend, which includes bank holidays. 

Interviews: morning of Wednesday 4th December. 

Expected start date: March 2025

If you have any questions about this role, please email rachel.painter@nationaltrust.org.uk

For this role, you’ll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a C.V. or online application form. This will help us understand more about your strengths and give you more information on the role.

What it's like to work here

Reporting to the Collections & House Officer, you’ll be part of a team of eight working at Wordsworth House & Garden within the North & West Lakes portfolio.

Wordsworth House and Garden, in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth, is the birthplace and childhood home of romantic poet William and his sister Dorothy. The house is presented as it would have been when they lived there with their parents in the 1770s. The successful candidates will join the hard-working team who are keen to share their passion with visitors to this Georgian Town house today.

What you'll be doing

As part of the duty manager team, you will be managing the daily operations of the property. On your rota days as the responsible keyholder, you will open and close the site, making sure all staff and volunteers are briefed for the day and covering breaks. 

You’ll work alongside and be a role model to a small team of staff and volunteers, delivering outstanding customer service across the property and you will set the standards in displaying the National Trust values and behaviours . You will be on hand answering queries, giving short welcome talks to groups and managing their experience. 
At the end of the day you will cash up and reconcile the till, deal with first aid and maintenance emergencies. You will cover the service assistant breaks on the welcome desk and volunteer room guides within the house.
You will help keep our second-hand bookshop well stocked and maintain the high standards of display.
You will be a confident problem solver and follow the property emergency procedures and report any incident/accidents upwards in accordance with National Trust policies and procedures.

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you are:

• Customer focused with an understanding of the importance of great service
• A team player, but also can work on your own initiative
• Well organised and adaptable
• Willing to learn new skills
• Have a positive attitude  

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme 
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.