Job Description

Job Title:CostumeMaker Seasonal(0-37 hours)

Grade:Band 2Point 1

Responsible to:Costume Team Leader

Key internal relationships:Costume Team Leader, Costume SupervisorEngagement Team Leaders, Volunteer Coordinators, Event Officers, Learning Team, all staff, volunteers, external performers / engagers

Purpose:To ensure that all staff, volunteers or anyone involved in activity, whether daily activity or special event at the Museum are provided with high quality, historically accurate and practical clothing to enable them to undertake their role. To assist with the daily costume/laundry tasks including sewing and repair duties, as well as sourcing clothing / fabrics for production. The Costume Maker will also ensure a warm welcome is given to visitors to the Team.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Work as a member of the Engagement and Participation Teamto ‘put the visitor first’, developing costume which enables and supports the staff and volunteerswearing it in their engagement with our visitors.
  • Day to day repair, washing and ironing of costume
  • Production of costume as prioritised by the Team Leader
  • Helping to ensure the safe and good management and housekeeping of the Costume Department
  • Work with the Collections Team to gain greater understanding of our own historic costume collection, using this and our photographic archive to ensure that costumes are based on styles typical to our region.
  • Research and development of new costume as requested by the Costume Team Leader, particularly linked to Remaking Beamish and new time periods and exhibits.
  • Liaise with Staff and Volunteers as appropriate, ensuring everyone is treated with a warm welcome and their needs are treated with tact and discretion.
  • Ensure staff and volunteers are comfortable in their costumes and understand why costume is worn in a particular way, as well as the general care of the items they have.
  • Source items to purchase as requested by the Team Leader / Costume Supervisor.
  • To support the Museum in the growing events calendar, ensuring costume needs are met, and remaining flexible to any changes that take place during these times.
  • To assist the Costume Team Leader with the costume tours and talks and support the delivery of traditional experiences and training of staff and volunteers (induction and ongoing training).
  • Work to a plan as outlined by the Costume Team Leader, but maintain flexibility to accommodate the changing needs of the Museum including for example, last minute requests and urgent costume repairs.
  • To assist the Costume Team Leader and Costume Supervisor to support and guide volunteers, placements or apprenticeships within the Team.
  • Cash handling duties may be expected as required within some areas.
  • To wear costume and assist in exhibits and with events as required
  • To be visible out on site enabling an ongoing assessment of costume needs and deliver information sessions on costume
  • Work in collaboration with the Engagement Team and other Staff/Volunteers in the Museum
  • Adhere to quality systems and operating procedures to facilitate the safe, smooth and timely delivery of services by the Costume Team.
  • To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with the Museum’s Equal Opportunity Policy, Code of Conduct and Health and Safety legislation and regulations.
  • To ensure compliance with standing orders, financial regulations audit and management procedures.
  • To carry out any other duties within the level of responsibility as may be determined from time to time.

This post is subject to the Scheme and Conditions of Service of the National Joint Council for Local Authority Services.

Author: Gillian Wolf

Date:September 2017

Person Specification Costume Maker

Criteria /

Essential

/ Means of Assessment
Skills, Knowledge / An understanding and commitment to Beamish and its core purpose/mission
Able to work within a team and take a hands on approach
Interest in historic costume
Able to communicate effectively with members of the public, staff and volunteers
Able to work collaboratively to help deliver the Costume Teams’ plans and projects
Excellent people skills
Ability to handle fittings and measuring with tact and care
Excellent practical sewing, garment construction and able to carry out repairs on garments
Able to work with attention to detail and commitment to the highest possible quality standards
Good time management skills /

Interview/Application form

Interview/Application form

Interview/Application form
Interview/Application form
Interview/Application form
Interview/Application form
Interview
Interview/Application form
Interview/Application form
Interview/Application form
Qualifications/
Training / Relevant training and/or experience in customer service
Relevant training and/or experience with textiles/garments and pattern cutting /

Application form

Application form
Experience / Proven experience of working with domestic/industrial textiles/garments / Interview/application form
Other
Requirements. / An enthusiastic ‘can do’ approach
Flexible approach to hours and prepared to work weekends, bank holidays and evenings as required
Ability to undertake a variety of manual handling duties appropriate to the Costume Team activities /

Interview

Interview

Note to applicants :

Please try to show in your application how you specifically meet these requirements.

Author : Gillian Wolf

Date : September 2017

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