Summary

As a Welcome & Service Assistant, it’s your role to ensure that the welcome our visitors receive is perfect, setting them up for an amazing experience for the rest of the day. Visitors are a vital part of what we do, so you’ll be responsible for ensuring that you provide an excellent service to all our visitors, every day. At Lydford Gorge it is vital that our visitors are given all the information they need to have a safe and enjoyable walk so you'll be responsible for delivering this information, answering queries and making sure visitors can find everything they need for their visit. Understanding how and why we engage our supporters is key. Working with the passionate visitor welcome team to link everything we do back to our values, our cause and the on-going work we do. You’ll deliver high standards of presentation at the property, and ensure all our communications with our visitors are clear and consistent. Although part of a team of staff and volunteers, you may be required to work alone at times so you must be self-motivated and confident in your interactions with our visitors.

Lydford Gorge is open between March and November, including every weekend and bank holiday so flexible working is essential for this role.

Lydford Gorge can be found on the Western side of Dartmoor.  Walking through the gorge is a challenging but rewarding adventure. The only way through is on foot where you will discover mystical woodlands with cascading waterfalls, tranquil pools and gurgling streams.

There are two entrances to Lydford Gorge, a mile apart by road and visitors can access walks of varying lengths from either. There are two tearooms, a large second-hand bookshop and an orchard with a children's play area. Visitors are also able to hire out our Tramper, an off-road mobility vehicle and you'll play a part in promoting each of these facilities to our visitors. 

Please see the role profile attached for further information.

Interviews are expected to take place in the week commencing 28th of February 2022.

What it's like to work here

The deepest river gorge in the South West, with 30m high waterfall

The gorge is a great place for an adventure at any time of year. The wildlife, river, plants and trees enchant the senses each and every day.

What you'll be doing

As part of our Visitor Welcome Team you will:

• Warmly greet our visitors and assist them to purchase tickets for their visit. 
• Explain the available walks, their challenges and safety concerns and help our visitors to choose the most suitable route for them. 
• Promote our second-hand bookshop and tearooms.
• Encourage our visitors to consider supporting us with a membership. 
• Give our visitors a friendly goodbye. 
• Engage in stimulating conversation with our visitors to build a memorable connection. 

Who we're looking for

• Can demonstrate an empathetic, understanding and adaptable approach to different people’s needs, with a passion to deliver the highest standards of customer care.
• Proven experience of working to measurable targets
• Good team worker- flexible and adaptable and willing to grow experience and skillset across several different operation aspects of the property
• Skilled listener with great people skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Well organised and able to work with minimum supervision

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary