Visitor Services Assistant Full Time

Hedge End, Hampshire
Connect2Hampshire

Casual Visitor Services Assistant – Heritage, Events, Learning & Engagement

Work Location: Manor Farm, Pylands Lane, Bursledon, Hampshire SO31 1BH

Contract Type: Casual

Job Purpose:

• To enhance the Manor Farm experience through inspirational and informative visitor engagement. Interpreting & demonstrating the history of the farmhouse, cottage, and wider farm to visitors.
• To support the planning, preparation and delivery of a full events and activity programme throughout the year, with high levels of interaction and enjoyment for our targeted family audience.
• To support and deliver the Manor Farm education programme, delivering engaging & educational sessions to visiting schools.
• To support and deliver pre-booked activities and clubs.
• To ensure the daily presentation of the farmhouse, cottage and associated buildings is delivered to the highest standard.

Role Responsibilities:

Visitor Engagement – Events & Heritage – Experience of teaching or public speaking

• Bringing the Manor Farm story to life in a creative, engaging, and informative way, using a wide range of tools such as presentation, interpretation, and role play.
• To present social history in a way which is engaging for children, creating new ways to inspire the next generation.
• To assist the Visitor Services Officers in developing Manor Farm’s heritage activities ensuring they are carried out consistently to the very highest standard.
• To produce & deliver safe and engaging craft activities for children and to increase the time visitors spend within the farmhouse, cottage and associated buildings.
• To assist with documenting the history and stories of Manor Farm and its people.
• Speaking directly with visitors, listening to feedback, and receiving ideas for development. Answering questions, understanding what improvements people would like to see and acting as a role model to those around you.

Visitor Engagement – Learning & Engagement

• Deliver interactive and engaging activities to schools and groups, based around the topics of Victorians, WW11, Outdoor education and Farm experience. (Knowledge of these subjects would be great but an interest and willing to learn is essential).
• To feedback and help develop the education offer.
• Occasional requirement to handle and feed the farm animals.
• Work towards our ongoing projects to improve our visitor interaction.
• To assist with school and group bookings. Meeting teachers to discuss their upcoming visits and answer any questions.

Operational Requirements

• Assisting with volunteer selection and supervision.
• To be directly responsible for the day-to-day care and presentation of the farmhouse, cottage and associated buildings. Including the Manor Farm collection of historic artefacts, some of which are accessioned museum pieces
• To research the artefacts and the stories associated with them, creating new and engaging ways to cascade those messages to Manor Farm’s visitors.
• To work and ensure others work in a safe manner in line with policy and guidelines.
• To use farm vehicles appropriately as required
• To work with the Visitor Services Officer to ensure the farmhouse, cottage and associated buildings are maintained in a safe and suitable condition, reporting any defects in a timely manner.
• Acting as a keyholder, to open and close the farm buildings as required.

Connect2Hampshire is a managed service agency owned by Hampshire County Council providing temporary, contract and interim opportunities into the Council. Our service is built on our values of ethical, trustworthy, and caring, and our profits are returned to our Local Authority shareholders.

Connect2Hampshire, part of Hampshire & Kent Commercial Services LLP, is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business and positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.