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

·  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

·  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

·  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

·  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

·  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

·  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 / Essential / Desirable
Relevant Experience / ·  Museum/Gallery experience or a similar heritage organisation
·  Event management
·  Experience of developing and delivering events and activities for a variety of audiences
·  Experience of working with children and school groups / ·  Experience of developing and delivering heritage activities
·  Applying for external funding
Education and Training / ·  Relevant degree or level 4 qualification
·  GCSE / “O” Level English and Maths or equivalent standard in these subjects / ·  Museum/Gallery related qualification
Special Knowledge and Skills / ·  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) / ·  Research skills
·  Understanding of collections care / management
·  Display skills
·  Presentation skills
Any Additional Factors / ·  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 / ·  Driving licence