Wells Cathedral
Background Information to the post of Liturgy Assistant
Wells
Situated on the edge of the Mendip Hills in the County of Somerset, Wells is England’s smallest city built around the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Its picturesque surroundings include a quaint market square and high street, the Bishop’s Palace and the magnificent Vicars Close, Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited street.
The Cathedral
Wells Cathedral deservedly has gained an enviable reputation for its lovingly maintained Gothic architecture, its world class music, and its Ministry of Welcome to some 250,000 visitors each year as well as around 150,000 people who come to the Cathedral for services, concerts, lectures etc.
Underpinning the Cathedral is a diverse organisation whose responsibilities cover music, works, virgers, library, archive, education, outreach, finance, HR, administration, volunteer management and trading companies. The Cathedral’s income comes from three main sources: entry donations and other voluntary income; property and investments; and its commercial activities, currently a shop and catering business.
More details may be found on the Cathedral’s website: http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk
Department Specific Information
The Liturgical Assistant will work closely with the Precentor of Cathedral, Canon Nicholas Jepson-Biddle, who has overall responsibility for the Liturgy (worship) and Music of Wells Cathedral.
Application Process
We hope you find this pack provides all the information you need in order to consider your application for this post. If, however, you have any further questions please initially contact Maria Webber (tel. 01749 685113 or email ) who will redirect you to the appropriate person.
Applications
Applications must be received by midday on 25th May 2017. Application forms, with a covering letter no more than one side of A4 describing what attracts you to this role should be returned to Human Resources, either by post to Cathedral Offices, Chain Gate, Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE or by email to
Shortlisting
To ensure the fairness of the selection process, shortlisting will be based upon the information which you provide in your application and assumptions will not be made about your experience or skills. We will look for demonstrable evidence that you meet the criteria set out in the person specification.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the shortlisting process.
Interview
These will be held on 7th June 2017. Further details regarding the selection process will be communicated at the time applicants are invited for interview. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references.
Should you decide to apply for this post we look forward to receiving your application.
Safeguarding
We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults, and the care and nurture of children within our church communities. We will carefully select, train and support all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles. This means that we will:
• Ensure that our recruitment and selection processes are inclusive, fair, consistent and transparent.
• Take all reasonable steps to prevent those who might harm children or adults from taking up, in our Churches, positions of respect, responsibility or authority where they are trusted by others.
• Adhere to safer recruitment legislation, guidance and standards.
Further information can be found in our Safeguarding Policy available on the diocesan website. All applicants are required to complete a Confidential Declaration Form as part of our recruitment process when an offer of employment is made. This form is strictly confidential and, except under compulsion of law, will be seen only by those involved in the recruitment/appointment process and, when appropriate, the nominated safeguarding lead or someone acting in a similar role/position. All forms will be kept securely in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST: Liturgy AssistantKEY PURPOSE OF POST:
The Liturgy Assistant is a part-time administrative position carrying out work principally for the Precentor in his role as the Canon with oversight of the Cathedral’s worship and music.
LOCATION: Cathedral Offices, Chain Gate, Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE
REPORTING TO: The Precentor
HOURS OF WORK: Part-time
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
· To assist the Precentor with the provision of the Cathedral’s liturgy (worship) throughout the year (with Christmas and Easter being the busiest) such as:
o To manage the main rota of worship assistants
o To compile and produce a weekly Sunday Order of Service, including notices
o To assist in arranging special services in the Cathedral and produce orders of service as required including photocopying or outside printing if necessary
o To build up a liturgical database for future use
· To arrange planning meetings as necessary for services, concerts and other events in the Cathedral and to type up the planning notes.
· To work closely with the Music Department.
· To prepare the bi monthly Music and Services listing for the input of others.
· To answer the telephone, receive visitors to the office and assist in general office tasks as necessary.
· To assist colleagues in the office as necessary and undertake their duties when absent through illness or holiday and to provide general cover for the office when it is short-staffed.
· Other duties as may be reasonably required
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Key Criteria / Essential / DesirableQualifications and Experience / · Experience of providing administrative support
· Educated to A-level or equivalent
· Knowledge of the worship and liturgy of the Church of England
Skills and Abilities / · The ability to plan and prioritise work
· Strong familiarity and competence in MS Office products and web tools such as Google calendar
· The ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner – both verbally and in writing
· Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative as required
· An accurate proof reader / · Ability in the design and production of quality posters and advertisements.
· Attentive to detail
Work-related Personal Qualities / · Self-organised – a structured and methodical working approach
Main Terms and Conditions
Hours of Work / Part time, 15 hours per weekMonday to Friday, afternoons preferable
Salary / Starting salary of £8,000 per annum
Pension / Defined Contribution Scheme. Contributions as % of salary:
Age Employee Employer
<50 2.5%( *) 5%
50-55 4% 8%
>55 5% 10%
(*) Increasing to 3% with effect from 1/10/2018
Holiday / Five working weeks per calendar year plus bank holidays, each pro rata.
The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.
Location / The Cathedral, Wells
Expenses / All reasonable working expenses will be met in line with Cathedral policy
Probation / This post will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months
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