Visitor Services Assistant

The University

At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.

Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here

The Role and Department

This is a great opportunity to work in our amazing museums and heritage buildings. Our Visitor Services Assistants are essential to providing our visitors with an excellent, memorable visitor experience. You will be customer focused and confident speaking with people, sharing information and answering enquiries. You will proactively greet visitors and support them in making the most of their visit. This could include supporting visitors making bookings, (online and in-person) using the self-service cafe, making purchases from our shop, finding their way around our galleries and providing introductory information about exhibitions. You will assist in the safety and security of our visitors, collections and our buildings in which we work. You will support events such as exhibition openings, school visits and community engagement activities, as well as assist in data collection and social media content.

The post is based at our reception desks and gallery spaces, and you will work across our venues, primarily at the Oriental Museum and Palace Green Library, which is home to the World Heritage Site visitor centre, Cosin's Library, the Museum of Archaeology and the Castle.

You will be part of the Customer Services team within the University Library and Collections (ULC) department, leading on customer experience across our libraries and visitor attractions. ULC provide spaces, collections, expertise and services (in person and online) supporting education, research, the wider student experience and cultural and educational outreach.

This is a fixed term contract until 1st September 2027 for 15.5 hours a week. Shifts are variable and will be discussed and agreed in advance. Weekend working is required. Flexibility to work evenings to support one day a week late night opening and exhibition openings is required. You will be required to work some Bank Holidays, for which additional pay is made.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

-    You'll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days.

-    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.

-    You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. 

-    Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

-   We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.  

-    We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community. 

-    Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).  

-    If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships. 

-    We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.  

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.